Hi--
I will throw in my two cents!
I think it is best to think in terms of basic opposites here. Cold water and hot water. Pure is of course better. I would say fire is more basic than the microwave, but whether it makes a difference , I don't know. Boiling definitely puts energy in the water too.
I make mine in the microwave, but I do something to the water after I take it out. Same for the spring water I keep in my refrigerator, as it is in a plastic container. This is not from SFQ, but deals with the energy non the less, and I learned it from a teacher/medicine man. I share it, as I don't know how to answer within the context of the forum. You can take it or leave it.
Everything has energy in it. Things stored in plastic or aluminum cans are not good for you. Microwaves are obviously not good energy to put into your food. If a cook prepares your food, and is angry, "that" goes into the food. Even natural sources of energy are not necessarily good for you, if you don't need that energy. A way you can neutralize something is by passing your swordfingers over it North to South and East to West, four times. This connects to the four directions. I had a lesson once neutralizing an oreo cookie! I held a dowser over the cookie. The dowser moved, showing the energy in the cookie. After I neutralized the cookie, the dowser picked up nothing. This is also a spiritual way to bless the food, or anyting you consume, and thank mother earth. I neutralize everything I consume. In level III there is related info regarding putting healing energy into water. I offer this info as a possible consideration for now. Originally I learned it with just the index finger, but I naturally changed to swordfingers, even prior to taking SFQ, as that hand position seemed and felt much more powerful to me. The four crossing movements connect to and bring in the four directions, which you can think of like the masters energy if you want. Again, this is from me, and you can take it as you like. Regardless, you should be able to tell something from the results of what you are currently drinking...I feel it as calming, healing, soothing, warming, etc..
