Farris (mineral water)

Infobox Bottled Water
brand = Farris
img_

---

country = Norway
source = King Olav V kilde, Larvik
type = sparkling
ph =
ca = 26
mg = 30
si =
cl = 590
c2 = 300
ni = 3.8
k = 16
na = 400
s = 15
tds = 1400
website = http://www.farris.no

Farris is a brand of mineral water produced in Larvik. It is Norway's oldest and by a distance best-selling bottled water. It has been mentioned in the literature as having positive health effect.

History

The product originated as a spin-off from the Spas in Vestfold when Mineral cures became popular in Norway in the second half of the 19th century. In 1875 Dr. J.C.Holm, a doctor and health resort pioneer, discovered a spring rich with minerals close to the river Farriselva. [ [http://fylkesarkivet.vfk.no/Home/fylkesarkivet/Internett/Nyheter/Larvik%20Bad%20og%20kurhotell.aspx Fylkesarkivet i Vestfold, Larvik Bad og Kurhotell] no icon] This lead to the establishing of Larvik Bad (originally "Laurvig Bad") in 1880, a spa resort where one of the treatments offered was drinking mineralized water. Larvik Bad became very popular and had a capacity of 300 guests: Among the guests were Norwegian author and Nobel laureate Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson. [Fylkesarkivet i Vestfold, Larvik Bad og Kurhotell]

spring 2007. (PDF)] no icon, s.18]

Although a common misconception has it that the water comes from lake Farris, the spring and Farris bottling company are located at the bottom of Bøkeskogen. Bøkeskogen is a forested hilltop which (along with the city of Larvik to the south of the hill) separates between Farris and the Skagerrak. Farris mineral water originates from rainwater falling on this hill. The water slowly filters through deposited glacial moraine material and reaches the spring some 15-20 years later, strongly mineralized. [ [http://www.christopher.no/larvik/farris.htm Farris fabrikker] no icon] In 1988 a new spring, 21 meters deep, was discovered, and this new spring is the present source of the mineral water.

Since the first spring was discovered in 1875, it has been indicated to treat gout, among others. [cite book |title=The Norway Year Book-1924 |last=Hammer |first=Simon Christian |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=1923 |publisher=Norway Yearbooks |location= |isbn= |pages=p.529 ] J.C.Holm recommended it as a cure for such various diseases as rheumatism, kidney stone and catarrh. [Farris anvendes kurmessig ved Gigt, Nyregrus, Kronisk Rheumatisme, ved Katarr i Svælg, Aandedræts og Fordøielses Organer samt efter Infektionssygdomme». [http://www.dagensmedisin.no/nyheter/2006/02/09/byggmester-og-lungelege/index.xml Lungebilag, Dagens medisin 03/06] ] The poet Robert Herring also claimed that Farris rids the body's arteries of uric acid. [cite book |title=Life and Letters and the London Mercury |last=Herring |first=Robert |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=1928 |publisher=Brendin Pub. Co |location= |isbn= |pages=p.81 ]

Farris was prohibited from using the name "Kong Haakons kilde" in marketing as these was seen as propaganda for the exiled king. [ [http://www.farris.no Company website] , 01 Historien, "Fra Salus til kongelig" no icon]

Ringnes breweries own the rights to the Farris trademark. The products under the Farris brand are sparkling mineral water which also comes with various flavours. The annual production volume is ca 40 million liters. [ [http://www.ringnes.no/omringnes/bryggerieroganlegg/Sider/farris.aspx Farris bryggerieroganlegg] at Ringnes.no no icon]

The new blue glass bottle (0.33l) that was launched in 2001 won the Norwegian Design Councils "Honours Award for Design Excellence". [ [http://www.norskdesign.no/search-category/category169.html?categoryID=169&articlesearchstring=Farris Norwegian Design Council] summary in English/ [http://www.norskdesign.no/ikke-spesifisert/farris-article595-303.html Norsk Designråd] no icon]

References