Sparkling water sounds like something bright and shiny and much too hard to make. Sparkling water, sometimes called carbonated water, is also called seltzer water. But it is just plain ole’ water which carbon dioxide gas has been added. This is the fundamental component of soft drinks. This process of adding carbon dioxide gas forms carbonic acid and gives these drinks, including soft drinks, that fizzy taste.

Sparkling water is not always mineral water, but is considered by most people to be just that; technically, mineral water is classified as water containing more than 250 parts per million of dissolved minerals. So, some mineral water can be classified sparkling water when carbonated, but not all sparkling water can be called mineral water.

It is thought that this process of carbonating water began in the 1800’s. A brewer observed that when passing water over fermenting beer a very interesting taste was made.

Today, pressurized CO2 is put into bottles, or can be made with a soda maker at home or in bars and restaurants. When the bottle is opened, pressure is released, and bubbles are created. So if anyone opens up a shaken bottle of sparkling water, the water will make a considerable mess as it escapes out of the bottle. Naturally, this happens with soda pop, as well.

Soda gets its fizz from exactly the same process. Recently, a discovery was made by (I would assume) some kids with some time on their hands. Some curious person mixed Mentos breath mints with the aspartame from a diet soda. This caused the CO2 to react violently and shoot straight up rapidly out of the bottle until all the fluid is gone. This little experiment impresses the kids, but it ‘s a bit messy, so I advise against it. Instead, if you go to YouTube you can find hundreds of videos of others doing it – often in some very creative ways.

Sparkling water was once used as a cure for stomach issues. However, now most doctors recommend that people with acid reflux or any other chronic stomach problems avoid sparkling water. Nonetheless, if needed, it is helpful in calming nausea.

Sparkling water can also be home made: a reusable seltzer bottle is filled with water, which is then infused with carbon dioxide. A large assortment of calorie free flavors to flavor sparkling water to great taste is sold at allfreightfree.com.

Some sparkling waters come from sources that produce natural carbonation. There is a brand of sparkling mineral water with 100% carbonic acid from the source which means that no CO2 is added to the water. This certain brand comes from an area with volcanic activity. Owing to the fact that the magma gives off carbon dioxide, the water there is rich in minerals. This combines with the water, increasing the solubility of minerals. This naturally carbonate sparkling water is the result and is considered quite delicious and is also very famous.

So now you know everything you wanted to know about sparkling water and making a refreshing calorie free beverage.