Mineral water

Mineral water
Gurgur mineral water spring

Mineral water is water containing minerals or other dissolved substances that alter its taste or give it therapeutic value, generally obtained from a naturally occurring mineral spring or source. Dissolved substances in the water may include various salts and sulfur compounds. Mineral water can be sparkling (with effervescence), or still (without effervescence).

Traditionally, mineral waters were used or consumed at their source, often referred to as "taking the waters" or "taking the cure," at sites such as spas, baths or wells. The term spa was used for a place where the water was consumed and bathed in; bath where the water was used primarily for bathing, therapeutics, or recreation; and well where the water was to be consumed. Active tourist centres have grown up around many mineral water sites since ancient times, such as Hungary, Hisarya (Bulgaria), Vichy (France), Jermuk (Armenia), Yessentuki (Russia), Spa (Belgium), Krynica-Zdrój (Poland), Sulphur Baths (Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia), Bath (England), or Karlovy Vary(Czech Republic). In Romania, a country enjoying a privileged position as home to over one-third[1][2] of the European mineral and thermal springs, resorts developed since antiquity in places such as Băile Herculane, Geoagiu or Slănic. Tourist development resulted in spa towns and hydropathic hotels (often shortened to "hydros").

In modern times, it is far more common for mineral waters to be bottled at the source for distributed consumption. Travelling to the mineral water site for direct access to the water is now uncommon, and in many cases not possible (because of exclusive commercial ownership rights). There are more than 3,000 brands of mineral water commercially available worldwide.[3] The more calcium plus magnesium ions are dissolved in water, the harder it is said to be; water with few dissolved calcium plus magnesium ions is described as being soft.[4]

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration classifies mineral water as water containing at least 250 parts per million total dissolved solids (TDS), originating from a geologically and physically protected underground water source. No minerals may be added to this water.[5]

However, in many places, the term "mineral water" is colloquially used to mean any bottled carbonated water or soda water, as opposed to tap water.

Contents

See also

Further reading

References

  1. ^ Bucureşti, staţiune balneară – o glumă bună? in Capital, January 19th, 2009. Retrieved: April 26th, 2011
  2. ^ Ruinele de la Baile Herculane si Borsec nu mai au nimic de oferit in Ziarul Financiar, May 5th, 2010. Retrieved: April 26th, 2011
  3. ^ Mineral Waters of the World, Home page
  4. ^ "Hard vs. Soft Water Explained". http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/water-education/quality-water-hard.htm. Retrieved 2009-02-05. 
  5. ^ FDA U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Regulation of Bottled Water: Appendix: "Mineral Water" Retrieved 2010-03-28

External links


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Mineral water — Mineral Min er*al, a. 1. Of or pertaining to minerals; consisting of a mineral or of minerals; as, a mineral substance. [1913 Webster] 2. Impregnated with minerals; as, mineral waters. [1913 Webster] {Mineral acids} (Chem.), inorganic acids, as… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Mineral water — Water Wa ter (w[add] t[ e]r), n. [AS. w[ae]ter; akin to OS. watar, OFries. wetir, weter, LG. & D. water, G. wasser, OHG. wazzar, Icel. vatn, Sw. vatten, Dan. vand, Goth. wat[=o], O. Slav. & Russ. voda, Gr. y dwr, Skr. udan water, ud to wet, and… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • mineral water — mineral .water n [U and C] water that comes from under the ground and contains a lot of minerals ▪ a glass of mineral water …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • mineral water — mineral ,water noun count or uncount water containing MINERALS that comes from under the ground and that you can buy in bottles and drink a. count a glass or bottle of mineral water …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • mineral water — n water naturally or artificially infused with mineral salts or gases (as carbon dioxide) …   Medical dictionary

  • mineral water — mineral waters N MASS Mineral water is water that comes out of the ground naturally and is considered healthy to drink …   English dictionary

  • mineral water — n. water naturally or artificially impregnated with mineral salts or gases …   English World dictionary

  • mineral water — ► NOUN ▪ water having some dissolved salts naturally present …   English terms dictionary

  • mineral water — 1. water containing dissolved mineral salts or gases, esp. such water considered healthful to drink. 2. mineral waters, Brit. a. carbonated water; soda water. b. artificially flavored, bottled soft drinks; soda pop. [1555 65] * * *       water… …   Universalium

  • mineral water — UK / US noun [countable/uncountable] Word forms mineral water : singular mineral water plural mineral waters a) water containing minerals that comes from under the ground and that you can buy in bottles and drink b) [countable] a glass or bottle… …   English dictionary

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