If there are two beverages that people often confuse when looking at menus or pursuing the grocery aisle, they would be mineral water and sparkling water. These two types of waters really do bring about a lot of confusion, with some even thinking they both are the same.
So it is no surprise that many people pose this question at one point or another: What are the differences between mineral water and sparkling water? It’s something that even you probably have pondered. You may have also wondered which one to opt for and which one is the right choice for you.
Need a little help with this query? We’re here to shed some light on two similar yet different water choices. Know the difference between mineral water vs sparkling water by reading on. Cheers!
What is Mineral Water?
Mineral water contains flavors that come from minerals, which makes it a stealer choice to drink plain or as is.
Mineral water is made up of water that is typically sourced straight from where natural springs are sourced. Note that not all mineral water available falls under the category of “sparkling,” — but the ones of the sparkly variety get their bubbliness and effervescence from gasses that are naturally occurring.
Once the mineral water has been bottled up, manufacturers may choose to add more carbon dioxide artificially.
Since mineral water contains a notably high number of minerals that are naturally occurring, such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium, sparkling mineral water is known to have a distinct, subtle mineral bite when you drink it.
What Does Mineral Water Contain?
Natural mineral water commonly imitates or replicates the mineral concentration that is found in water before it is sourced from the original spring it is from. In order to be considered mineral water, the water should have 250 parts of dissolved minerals – at the very least! – for each one million units. These minerals should likewise be identical to those contained by the original spring from which the water was sourced.
One very important thing to remember is that there should be no additional minerals mixed in or added during the production of mineral water.
What Are The Uses Of Mineral Water?
Check out some of the main ways to use mineral water:
- Mineral water is an excellent tap water substitute. It is a good replacement for tap water for those who live in areas where your water source has been contaminated for the time being and for those who just simply dislike the taste of tap water.
- It is also a great sparkling water substitute. You can switch out sparkling water with mineral water for your hydration needs, and you can do the same for recipes.
- Non-carbonated mineral water is also available in the market to make various kinds of drinks and beverages.
What is Sparkling Water?
Sparkling water gets its “sparkly” quality from an infusion of carbon dioxide.
Sparkling water is also known as seltzer water. It comprises only two ingredients: water and carbon dioxide. Sparkling water becomes this way – that is, sparkling – when plain water and carbon dioxide meet. The infusion of carbon dioxide carbonates the water and thus makes sparkling water.
Sparkling water has a certain simplicity to it. This simplicity paired with its clean and pure taste makes it every bit as refreshing as just still water — but at the same time, it’s also quite a bit more enjoyable and fun because of its bubbliness and effervescence.
What Does Sparkling Water Contain?
Sparkling water is made up of water that has been infused with carbon dioxide. Typically, the carbon dioxide infusion makes as much carbonation as the still water initially contained in the natural spring where it was sourced – at the very least. This pairing creates a whole of bubbles as well as that addictive fizziness which makes it an appealing drink of choice.
Having said that, it is important to bear in mind that even though sparkling water replicates the bubbles as its water source, any and all minerals present in the water when it was sourced are also often taken away as it is being processed into sparkling water.
What Are The Uses Of Sparkling Water?
Sparkling water is great for a number of things, such as the following:
- It is often used as a healthy replacement or substitute for beverages like sugary sodas and other drinks. This is because sparkling water contains much lower sugar and calories and can be naturally flavored with fruit flavoring and healthier sweeteners.
- Another good use of sparkling water is for cocktails and other drinks, as these can give you that fizzy, fun sensation in your mouth and tongue. Because of the neutral taste of sparkling water, many bars, hotels, restaurants, and resorts opt for it over mineral water when it comes to recipes and drinks.
- While yummy on its own or simply with a twist of lemon or lime, mixologists and chefs use sparkling water in crafting a smorgasbord of creative and tasty concoctions, among which are:
- Sparkling cocktails
- Healthy sparkling mocktails
- Carbonated iced coffee
- Sparkling gazpacho
- Gourmet hand-crafted sodas
- Sparkling chilled desserts
- Light and airy pancakes
- Fluffy tempura batter
Mineral Water Vs Sparkling Water: The Clear Differences
Now that we’ve discussed what mineral water and sparkling water are individually, let’s look at them together so we can sift through the clear differences between these two seemingly very similar water options.
1. Flavor
It is a common consensus among many people that mineral and sparkling water differ in taste. A lot of people say that the two have very different tastes compared to one another. The reason for this is the mineral content in each type of water. Additionally, there can even be flavor differences depending on where the water had been sourced.
A good example of this is sparkling mineral water which is carbonated naturally, which means that the bubbles in it are actually from the spring it was sourced from. This water also has several minerals, including calcium, magnesium, and sodium, which further affect and influence the flavor.
These same minerals will not be found in just plain sparkling water. The fact that regular sparkling water has very little in terms of nutrients is the reason for it tasting a lot more similar to flat water.
2. Price
There is a notable difference in the typical price point of sparkling water and mineral water. Mineral water generally is pricier than just regular sparkling water. So making a choice between mineral water and sparkling water comes down not just to your preference in taste but to how much you’re willing to pay for your drink as well.
3. Benefits
Each type of water brings with it a number of benefits.
Mineral Water
Mineral water is an excellent source of magnesium. It can help to lower your blood pressure, strengthen your bones, regulate blood circulation, and promote digestive health. Recent studies show that mineral water certainly has its own set of benefits for your health. It can also help you keep healthy and hydrated.
Sparkling Water
Like mineral water, sparkling water is likewise an excellent hydration source. It is also known for being able to help aid digestion. It keeps you feeling full longer. And it can aid in increasing productivity levels because it pumps the body with a liquid that hydrates without being heavy on sugar.
Sugar, as we know, can very much give you a sluggish and tired feeling. Lastly, when you take away sugary drinks from your diet and go for sparkling water instead, that is a choice that will effectively reduce your daily caloric intake on the whole – this, in turn, can aid in weight loss.
So, now that we have discussed in detail what mineral water and sparkling water are and delved into their differences, you now have a clearer understanding of both and what sets each apart from the other. In summary, mineral water and sparkling water make for healthy alternatives to sodas and other sugary drinks – that’s something they definitely share in common.
Mineral water can give us minerals that our bodies can’t produce on their own. Sparkling water transforms healthy hydration into a fizzy, fun wonderland for your taste buds, which can help you go cold turkey on sugary sodas and lead a healthier, lower-calorie lifestyle.
There are a number of reasons to choose each type of water. Know that whether you opt for mineral water or sparkling water, you will still be choosing a healthier option either way that can help you stay healthy. Mineral water and sparkling water are both good choices for those who value wellness and wish to live lives that are healthier.