The Source: What is Mountain Valley Spring Water?
Mountain Valley Spring Water originates from a single, protected spring deep within the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas. The water has a unique origin story that spans thousands of years. It begins as rain and snow, which then filters down through layers of shale, sandstone, and limestone into granite-based aquifers. This long journey over millennia enriches the water with a distinctive mineral composition, including calcium, magnesium, and potassium, before it naturally rises to the surface. The result is a premium, crisp-tasting spring water with a naturally high alkaline pH. This naturally mineral-rich, uncarbonated liquid is the foundation for all of Mountain Valley's products, both still and sparkling.
The Truth About Mountain Valley's Carbonation Process
Contrary to a common misconception, the spring water at its source is not naturally carbonated. The fizz in Mountain Valley's sparkling water is a deliberate addition made during the bottling process. The company adds a measured amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) to its still spring water, infusing it with bubbles to create the effervescent product. This process is carefully controlled to ensure consistent carbonation levels and a specific, palate-pleasing mouthfeel. This distinction is crucial because it separates Mountain Valley from truly naturally carbonated mineral waters, where the carbonation occurs underground, as a result of geological activity.
Still vs. Sparkling: The Core Difference
The fundamental difference between the two Mountain Valley products is the presence of added CO2. The still spring water is bottled directly from the source, preserving its natural state. The sparkling version, while starting with the same award-winning spring water, is modified to be effervescent. This means the consumer can enjoy the same signature mineral blend and taste profile, but with a lively, bubbly twist. This makes the sparkling option an excellent alternative to sugary sodas or other carbonated beverages, as it contains zero calories, sugars, or artificial sweeteners.
The Carbonation Process: Added vs. Natural
To understand Mountain Valley's approach, it helps to compare the methods of carbonating water. The primary distinction lies in where the carbonation comes from.
- Added Carbonation (Mountain Valley's Method):
- Sourced still water has CO2 gas injected under pressure in a controlled, artificial process.
- This method allows for consistency in bubble size and intensity across every bottle.
- It is the standard process for many commercial sparkling waters and seltzers.
- Natural Carbonation (True Mineral Water):
- The water naturally absorbs carbonation from volcanic gasses trapped in the underground rocks and spring.
- The carbonation levels can vary depending on the specific spring and geological activity.
- Examples include brands like Gerolsteiner and some Perrier products.
Mountain Valley vs. Other Sparkling Waters: A Comparison
| Feature | Mountain Valley Sparkling | Naturally Carbonated Mineral Water | Seltzer Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| Source | Protected spring in Ouachita Mountains, Arkansas | Natural spring or well with geological carbonation | Can be tap or well water |
| Carbonation | Carbonation is added using CO2 gas | Carbonation is naturally occurring from the source | Carbonation is added using CO2 gas |
| Minerals | Naturally mineral-rich (calcium, magnesium, etc.) | Naturally mineral-rich | Typically has no minerals unless they are added |
| Additives | None (besides added CO2) | None | Can have added minerals (club soda) or be pure water with CO2 |
| Taste | Reflects the natural mineral profile of the spring water | Taste is influenced by both minerals and natural carbonation | Clean and crisp, flavor dependent on the base water source |
Why Choose Mountain Valley's Sparkling Water?
Despite not being naturally carbonated, Mountain Valley's sparkling water is a premium choice for several reasons. The process begins with their exceptional still spring water, which offers a superior flavor profile and rich mineral content compared to standard seltzer water. The controlled addition of CO2 ensures a consistent, gentle effervescence that perfectly complements the water's natural taste. For those who enjoy bubbles but want to avoid the additives found in club soda or flavored seltzers, Mountain Valley's sparkling water is an ideal alternative. It delivers all the hydration benefits of pure spring water with a delightful and refreshing fizz. For more on the difference between sparkling water types, see the Mountain Valley blog post.
Conclusion
To definitively answer the question, is Mountain Valley spring water naturally carbonated? No, the carbonation is added to the still spring water. However, this is not a negative, but a controlled and deliberate part of their process to create a consistently high-quality sparkling beverage. The product retains all the natural mineral benefits and unique taste of the spring water from its Ouachita Mountain source, making it a superior and healthy alternative to other carbonated drinks. For fans of Mountain Valley's purity and taste, the sparkling variety is simply an effervescent extension of the quality they have come to expect.
