The mineral springs in Borjomi have been renowned since ancient times, as evidenced by age-old legends, local tales, and the archaeological discovery of stone baths once used for soaking in the healing waters. The mineral water in this region was first recognized in 1816 when the Kherson Grenadier Regiment made a stop here during its journey. This unexpected discovery would later have a profound impact on all of Georgia. In 1834, physician S. Amirov became intrigued by these springs and sent water samples for analysis. The fame of the local springs quickly spread throughout the Russian Empire, which included Georgia at that time, although the mineral water had not yet received an official name.
In 1841, General Evgeny Golovin brought his ailing daughter here for treatment, and she miraculously recovered thanks to the miraculous waters. Following this event, the springs were named after the general and his daughter—Evgenievsky and Ekaterininski. The construction of a balneological resort began in 1846 under the governorship of Count M. Vorontsov, who was so taken with the picturesque surroundings of Borjomi that he built his summer residence there.
By 1850, the bottling of mineral water for export commenced in Borjomi, with the first 1,300 bottles selling out in just a few days. Interestingly, samples of these early bottles and their labels can be seen at the Borjomi Local History Museum. The development of the resort accelerated in 1862 when Mikhail Romanov served as the governor of the Caucasus. The first bottling plant began operations in 1890, and by 1896, glass bottle production for Borjomi water was established.
Notably, many prominent figures, including members of the Romanov imperial family, sought treatment in Borjomi. The local mineral water gained such popularity that by 1905, sales had reached 350,000 bottles. Borjomi officially received city status in 1921. The water was frequently showcased at international exhibitions, consistently earning gold medals. During the Soviet era, the local plant underwent renovations, and exports of mineral water expanded to 15 countries, reaching sales of 423,000 bottles annually by 1961. The peak sales year for Borjomi was 1980, when several million bottles were exported abroad.
Today, Borjomi mineral water is sold in approximately 30 countries worldwide. The current producer of Borjomi is the Georgian Glass Mineral Water Company, so be sure to check the label when purchasing to avoid counterfeit products. The quality and popularity of this local mineral water are underscored by the fact that during the filming of “Solaris,” director Andrei Tarkovsky featured characters drinking Borjomi, despite the film’s futuristic setting. He believed that Borjomi would still be enjoyed many years into the future.
Borjomi is a carbonated, calcium-sodium bicarbonate mineral water that is additionally carbonated during bottling. The mineral water is sourced from nine wells drilled to depths ranging from 200 to 1,500 meters. The temperature of the water as it emerges from the wells ranges from 20 to 38°C, meaning that if you sample the water directly from the source (such as in Borjomi Central Park), it will be warm. For pronounced therapeutic effects, doctors recommend drinking the mineral water warm. Interestingly, the composition of Borjomi water has remained unchanged since its discovery nearly two centuries ago. This mineral water contains numerous components, with the primary ones (per 100 ml) being: potassium — 3 mg, calcium — 13 mg, silicon — 1.1 mg, magnesium — 10 mg, sodium — 200 mg; sulfur — 0.8 mg, chlorine — 50 mg; aluminum — 100 µg; boron — 1200 µg; titanium — 4 µg; fluorine — 800 µg; strontium — 480 µg. Scientists have proven that the mineral sources of Borjomi can only be compared to the Vichy sources in France, but Borjomi water is even richer in composition, making it more effective for treating various ailments.