Minerals change the taste of water
Juli 21st, 2023 | Water and Taste
Milin Patel – Water Sommelier and ambassador for LUQEL talks about how minerals change the taste of water
Water is the elixir of life, essential for our existence and overall well-being. However, it is often overlooked as a tasteless and mundane beverage. The great philosopher Aristotle stated that water, per se, is a carrier of flavour, much like darkness is to the eyes and silence is to the ears.
Let’s fast forward to 2023 and change the perception of water as tasteless.
What if I told you that water can be transformed into a flavourful, exquisite-tasting experience?
By understanding the different minerals present in water, we can craft a drinking water taste that enhances our daily routines and elevates our enjoyment of both food and drink.
Water is not just a solvent
It contains a plethora of minerals that greatly influence its taste and mouthfeel. Understanding the impact of minerals such as magnesium, calcium, chloride, potassium, and hydrogen bicarbonate can help us create water tailored to specific occasions.
Magnesium offers a subtle, smooth taste and a slightly sweet metallic aftertaste. It contributes to a velvety mouthfeel, making it an excellent choice for the first drink of water in the morning, providing a gentle awakening to your senses.
Calcium, on the other hand, adds a slightly chalky or creamy undertone and a touch of richness and weight to water. This mineral can be beneficial for post-workout hydration, aiding in muscle recovery and replenishing electrolytes lost through sweat.
Chloride lends a hint of salinity to water, mimicking the taste of natural mineral springs. This characteristic makes it an ideal choice for a refreshing drink and helps support digestion after a meal.
Potassium imparts a delicate, slightly bitter sensation to water. Its mild taste can complement the enjoyment of barista-style coffee, bringing out the subtleties of its flavours and creating a harmonious drinking experience.
Hydrogen bicarbonate plays a crucial role in neutralising acidity or providing a cooling neutralising effect to spicy foods, giving the water a balanced and refreshing quality. It pairs exceptionally well with fine wines, acting as a palate cleanser between sips and enhancing the overall tasting experience.
What are Total Dissolved Solids?
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) refers to the cumulative measurement of dissolved minerals present in water. It plays a significant role in determining the flavour and mouthfeel of water. By understanding the mineral composition of water, we can unlock a world of possibilities and create drinking waters that appeal to everyone.
Water can be tailored to suit different occasions and preferences. By harnessing the temperature, carbonation levels, and minerals found in water, we can curate specific flavours and mouthfeel sensations that complement various aspects of our lives.
This idea of having a specific style of water for any occasion can now be achieved without importing bottled water by utilising LUQEL Water Station Professional, the only water dispenser that delivers thirty different mineralised water recipes.
Exploring the taste of mineral waters
As an internationally certified water sommelier, I have been fortunate to explore and taste an extensive range of distinctive natural mineral waters from around the world. Each water source has unique characteristics and flavour profiles, making the drinking water experience a fascinating journey. However, the environmental impact of importing bottled water for basic hydration purposes is a concern we all share. With the LUQEL Water Station, we now have the opportunity to create similar taste experiences without compromising the environment. Their water dispensers offer a remarkable solution by providing thirty different mineralised water recipes, allowing for a diverse and a customisable water selection.
A few of my favourite LUQEL water recipes are very similar to some famous bottled water brands.
- Morning Water: Start your day with a revitalising glass of water that awakens your senses. Opt for magnesium-rich water, which imparts a subtle sweetness and a smooth mouthfeel. This gentle introduction to the day can provide a refreshing boost and set a positive tone for the hours ahead. LUQEL KICK START water definitely provides morning stimulation.
- Tea or Coffee Water: Elevate your favourite tea or coffee by choosing the right water. Each type of water brings out unique nuances in the beverage, enhancing its flavours and allowing you to savour intricate taste profiles. For example, water with balanced levels of magnesium can beautifully complement the delicate notes of tea, creating a harmonious and satisfying cup. LUQEL TEA-TIME with smooth mineralisation and a perfect temperature for brewing classic black tea.
- Post-Workout Recovery Water: After a rigorous workout, it’s essential to replenish lost electrolytes that aid in muscle recovery. Calcium-rich water can be an excellent choice, as it not only rehydrates but also contributes to the body’s mineral balance, helping restore vitality and promoting overall well-being. LUQEL CIRCUITS is rich in calcium, magnesium, chloride, and sulphate replenishes and provides a post-workout recovery experience with a variety of carbonation levels.
- Pairing with Fine Spirits or Wine: Just as wine connoisseurs carefully select the right wine glass for optimal enjoyment, the choice of water can also play a crucial role in enhancing the drinking experience. Magnesium & sulphate-rich water balances the acidity in white wines, enhancing the crisp sharp flavours. LUQEL WHITE WINE EXCELLENCE enhances the flavour and helps to highlight the complexity of the wine.
By discovering these LUQEL water recipes, we change the act of drinking water into a mindful and enriching experience. It goes beyond mere hydration; it becomes an exploration of taste, a celebration of flavours, and a connection with the natural mineral elements that sustain us and provide an alternative to consuming sugary and caffeinated drinks.
Water is far from being a tasteless liquid. Its mineral composition creates a vast spectrum of flavours and mouthfeel experiences.
By understanding and appreciating the taste of water and creating a vocabulary to describe the taste of water, we can all elevate our drinking water culture and lifestyle. We have a global vocabulary to communicate the value of tea, coffee, and fine spirits. However, it’s now time to provide this importance and global communication to water.
Drawing upon my 20 years of experience in drinking water technology and as a water sommelier, I am delighted to witness the transformation of the water industry and the increasing awareness of the taste and value of water. LUQEL drinking water technologies are at the forefront of this movement, offering innovative solutions that allow us to embrace the taste of water and create a sustainable, flavourful, and personalised water culture.
Let’s embrace this opportunity to rediscover the taste of water and incorporate it into our daily lives, making every sip an enjoyable and rejuvenating experience. Together, we can change the perception of water and honour it as the elixir of life, rich in flavours and possibilities.
Written by Milin Patel