Not all bubbles are born equal. Still natural mineral water is just that—still, straight from the source. But carbonated mineral water can be a liar. Some is “naturally sparkling” (comes out of the ground fizzy, like volcanic burps). But most of the fizzy stuff in green bottles is just still mineral water with CO2 added at the factory. That’s right: your Perrier might be a faker.
Spring water can be carbonated too, but it’s usually labelled “carbonated natural spring water.” It’s like calling a sports car a “motorized vehicle.” Technically correct, but not very sexy. The EU and UK regulations mean you can’t just slap “mineral” on anything, or you get a very stern letter from a man in a suit.
The Price Tag Paradox
You can buy a litre of mineral water for £2.50. You can buy a litre of spring water for 35p. They look the same. They both go down the same way. The difference? The source’s marketing budget. Mineral water from the Alps has a story. It has pictures of glaciers. Spring water from a borehole in Slough? Less inspiring.
Spring Water vs Mineral Water: Which One is Better for Daily Hydration
There’s a surprising fact: some budget spring waters are actually from the same aquifer as expensive mineral waters. Yes, really. A company might have two taps in the same field—one for posh bottles, one for cheap ones. The cheap one just gets a quick filter and a plastic label. You’re paying for the branding, not the hydration.
