14 Reasons Why Water Has A Different Taste

You may realize that water in a specific area has a different taste compared to water in other areas. Yes! The truth is that water has a taste. Interestingly, not all water tastes the same.

So, why does water have a different taste? The information below is about to explain the reasons why water has a different taste.

The Source of the Water

The source of the water determines the taste. Water that comes from a source with a high mineral level has a different flavor compared to water that comes from a source with a low mineral level. Mineral means that the water contains calcium, phosphorus, sodium, and many more.

The latest study explains that the flavor of the water depends on the level of bicarbonate, sulfate, calcium, and magnesium in it. This is because the tongue can easily detect the taste of these essential compounds. Even water in the bottles from a variety of brands contains these compounds.

Check the composition table on the bottle. You will see specific symbols, such as Na, K, or Cl. Na represents sodium, K is potassium, and Cl is chloride. The more essential compounds in the water, the richer the taste of the water.

Your Tongue Has Taste Receptor Cells (TRCs)

You can taste a variety of flavors because your tongue has Taste Receptor Cells (TRCs). The cells react to five major tastes, which are bitter, sweet, sour, salty, and umami. Some studies conclude that water often activates your sour Taste Receptor Cells.

It is the reason why you can get easily thirsty and want to drink more water. Some water products even can activate your sweet Taste Receptor Cells. The Taste Receptor Cells deliver a sign to the part of the brain known as the amygdala once you drink water.

The amygdala is about to process the taste of water. Having a good sense of tasting water is useful. It helps you to determine the water you can drink and is poisonous.

Most people say that bitter water is bad or poisonous. You will conclude that the water is contaminated by something.

The Types of Water

The type of water is also one of the reasons why water has a different taste. For instance, tap water has a different flavor than spring water. This is because tap water contains a high level of fluoride. This essential compound helps to protect tooth enamel.

In some countries, tap water has copper in it. Indeed, the taste will be different than tap water with fluoride. On the other hand, spring water is coming from a mountainous region. The regions get the water from snow or rain.

This water has a lot of natural minerals. The water receives the mineral when it flows down the mountains and soil. It also affects the water flavor. Now, try to taste the water well.

The flavor of well water seems to be different, right? This water is coming from the bottom part of the soil. The soil minerals influence the flavor. Because of that, well water is filtered first before people can drink it.

These three types of water are also different from sparkling water. Sparkling water is mineral water, along with carbon dioxide (CO2). This mixture makes the water carbonate and increases the acidity level. On the other hand, alkaline water has a low level of acid.

This water has a higher pH level due to the ionized minerals. Because of that, this water is fresher compared to other types of water. Some countries drink distilled water.

It means that people take the water and boil it. The function of boiling the water is to purify the minerals. This process can also get rid of harmful chemicals and bacteria.

The Essential Compounds in the Water

The essential compounds in the water have determined the taste of water a lot. For instance, you smell a strange odor and a little bit of bitter taste while drinking the water. It can be because the water has a high level of chlorine.

There is a case that the water is extremely salty and it must be filtered first before drinking it. The flavor comes from the salt in the water. The level of the salt may reach up to 1000 mg/L, so it affects the taste of the water a lot.

The governments in specific areas also ask their teams to add magnesium to the water supply. This compound helps to boost the amount of minerals to the people who are about to consume the water. Don't get shocked if the flavor of the water in these areas is a little bit bitter.

The Condition of the Water Pipes

You should also check the condition of the water pipes in case the taste of the water changes. Older water piping systems may reduce the quality of the water. Indeed, it affects the flavor of the water.

Algal may grow around the pipe. The water that flows around the pipe with algae often brings specific compounds. Because of that, the taste of the water is also a little bit bitter.

The Purification Stages the Water Passes Through

The purification process will also change the flavor of the water. In this case, the taste of the water is better and fresher than the original. The water needs to be purified because it may contain a variety of harmful substrates.

The process is about getting rid of the harmful substrates, killing the bacteria, and other things that are not good for the body. As a result, the water is safe to consume. The most important thing is that it tastes great compared to the original version.

The Mineral Content in the Water

Mineral content differs from the flavor of the water. The lower the mineral content in the water, the lesser the taste in it. On the other hand, the water has a high level of minerals if the flavor is strong.

For instance, some areas have water with mineral content between 200 and 480 mg/l. Some others even have water with mineral content up to 13.000 mg/l. Indeed, you still have to drink water with minerals yet it should be in the right standards.

The Geography and Geology of the Water Comes From

Geography and geology also have a critical role in determining the taste of the water. Take wine farmlands as an example. Say the farmlands use the same soil and cultivation techniques. The grapes also grow in the same weather conditions.

Plus, the grape variety is also the same. The unique part is that the wine from those farmlands has a different flavor. The answer to this mystery is the water the farmers use to cultivate the grapes and process the wine. There is a case that the farmland has large amounts of rainwater freeze.

It makes the water not come in contact with a variety of minerals. It means that the farmers process the wine with water with very low mineral levels. The flavor of the wine is different than the farmlands that process the wine with water that contains high mineral levels.

The pH Level of the Water

The pH level affects the flavor of the water. It determines whether the water is sour, sweet, or bitter. The pH level in water is from 1 to 14. Say the pH level of the water in your area is 7.

It means that the pH is neutral. The water may be tasteless and odorless. On the other hand, the water is sour if the pH is below 7. The water with a pH above 7 is known as basic water.

Based on the standard, the taste of water with pH 5.0 to 6.7 will be sour. The taste of the water will be faintly sweet when the pH level is around 7.3 to 7.8.

Say you think that the water in your living area is bitter. If so, the pH of the water can be 7.8 to 10. The water with neutral taste and odor often has a pH of around 6.7 to 7.3.

The Media to Store the Water

The media to store the water also affects its flavor. Say the water is stored in recycled bottles. The manufacturers must wash the bottles with detergent to clean them before filling them with water. The leftover detergent in the water affects the quality of the water, including the flavor and odor.

Plastic bottles are also made with specific chemicals. Some chemicals can easily be diluted with water. That's why the flavor of the water in a plastic bottle is often different from water in other types of containers.

The Hardness of the Water

The hardness of the water means the presence of magnesium and calcium in it. The higher the magnesium and calcium within the water, the harder the water.

You can only differentiate it by tasting the water. For example, in a specific area, such as in Denmark, the water contains 10 mg dissolved calcium and 7.19 dissolved magnesium per liter.

The Additional Ingredients You Put in the Water

The sensation of drinking fresh water is different from drinking water with an additional ingredient. The taste of the water depends on the additional ingredients you put in the water. For example, you are squeezing some citrus in the water.

The flavor of the water turns sour. Yet, the water will be healthier to drink since it contains an extra vitamin C. It is the same case if you add other ingredients, such as ginger in the water. The flavor of the water will be a little bit spicy if you add ginger to it.

Hence, this water is good for your health, especially for your digestive system. You can even get a sweet flavor when adding fruits, such as strawberries or raspberries to the water. Imagine that you are creating a glass of juice or smoothie. The taste of the water is different, right?

Your Water Taste Experience

People who often try water from a variety of areas will be more sensitive to its taste. They can even feel smooth. It is because their taste receptors were trained well due to the variety of water quality in the drink.

It will be hard for you to differentiate the taste and order of water if you only drink from one source. Your taste receptors don't get used to it. As a result, you think the taste of the water is the same, yet it is different.

You can feel the difference only when the taste is significantly different. Indeed, you will spit the water if the taste is extremely sour, bitter, or salty. You will drink it anyway if the taste is still normal on your tongue.

The Quality of the Water

Low-quality water often consists of bacteria, dirt, and viruses. Indeed, the taste is not good in your tongue. It even often has a strong bad odor.

On the other hand, the water will be odorless and fresh when you are drinking high-quality water. It is because the water is free from harmful bacteria, dirt, viruses, and anything that may reduce its quality. The taste will be fresher and also hydrate your body. That's why people who are living in an area with bad sanitation are unhealthy compared to those who are living in an area with good sanitation.

Bottom Line

You have a good taste receptor if you can differentiate the taste of water when drinking it from a variety of sources. The truth is that water has a variety of flavors. The reasons why water has a different taste are because of several factors.

It can be because of the geology and geography of the water source, essential substrates on it, and other factors. The taste of water can be neutral, sweet, sour, salty, or even bitter. You can't check the quality or content of the water with the naked eye.

You must bring the water into the laboratory. The experts will check the water content and quality using a variety of methods. Then, they will decide whether the water is safe to consume or not.