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Old and new shine together Traditionally,
drinking water was boiled with a few cardamom shells and a special bark
that turned the water a faint pink. A single glance would tell you if
water was safe to drink. The first woman up in the morning boiled the
water and filled a jug large enough to quench the thirst of an entire
household. Now, high-tech filters provide clean water at the touch of a
switch. They're even fitted with special valves to prevent backflow during
any of India's frequent power blackouts. Some homes still boil drinking
water in the mornings, perhaps to fill plastic bottles for a train ride or
perhaps because the slight sweetness of the flavored water still appeals
to the heart and palate. In this kitchen, I was happy to see the
mechanically filtered water filling the same old jug the family has used
for decades. next
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