Eternal vs. Voss
Comparing Purity, Taste, and Sustainability
In the realm of premium bottled water, brands like Eternal and Voss have carved out a reputation for offering consumers high-quality hydration options. Eternal water, sourced from springs, promises naturally occurring minerals and an alkaline pH, presenting itself as a water that is not only pure but also beneficial for health. It boasts a journey through natural filters and a process that does not strip away essential minerals.
On the other hand, Voss, with its iconic cylindrical bottle design, is a Norwegian artesian water known for its purity and clean taste. The brand emphasizes its minimal treatment process and the preservation of its water's natural qualities. Voss positions itself as more than a refreshment; it is also a lifestyle accessory, often spotted in high-end hotels and restaurants.
When assessing which bottled water is better, factors like source, taste, mineral content, and packaging come into play. Consumers often weigh the importance of these aspects differently based on their personal preferences and health considerations. Both Eternal and Voss offer distinct qualities that cater to varied audiences, which makes the comparison interesting and pertinent to the discerning customer looking for more than just hydration.
The Basics of Bottled Water
Before diving into the intricacies of Eternal and Voss bottled waters, it's important to understand the fundamentals of the bottled water market, including the various types of water available and their distinct sources.
Understanding Bottled Water
Bottled water is any water that is sealed in a bottle and offered for sale. There are several types of bottled water, each defined by its source or treatment process:
Purified Water: This type of water has been processed to remove chemicals and contaminants. Methods like reverse osmosis or distillation are common.
Spring Water: Sourced from a natural spring, this water must be collected at the spring or through a borehole tapping the underground formation feeding the spring.
Mineral Water: Originating from a protected underground source, it contains consistent levels and relative proportions of minerals and trace elements.
Artesian Water: Drawn from a well that taps an aquifer—layers of porous rock, sand, and earth containing water.
Alkaline Water: Water that has a pH level higher than 7.0, often due to added minerals or an ionization process.
The water can be packaged in various materials, including:
Plastic Bottles: Lightweight and inexpensive but raise environmental concerns.
Glass Bottles: Heavier and more costly but preferred for being recyclable and less likely to leach chemicals.
Source and Origin of Water Brands
Each bottled water brand prides itself on the origin of its product, as the source has a significant impact on the taste and quality:
Eternal Water: This brand is sourced from natural springs and is known for its naturally occurring electrolytes and minerals filtered through layers of volcanic rock.
Voss: Originates from an artesian source in Norway and is recognized for its purity and clean taste.
Other notable brands include:
Mountain Valley Spring Water: Sourced from the Ouachita Mountains and served in glass bottles.
Icelandic Glacial: Originates from Iceland's volcanic rock filtration and boasts a high pH level.
Acqua Panna: Sourced from the hills of Tuscany, Italy, known for its smooth taste.
The region and geological characteristics, such as the French Alps for some premium waters or the pure, untouched environment of a volcanic island like Iceland, contribute to the unique properties and mineral compositions of the waters offered to consumers.
Health and Hydration
When considering bottled water options like Eternal and Voss, the health implications center on hydration efficacy, mineral content, and purity standards.
Hydration and its Importance
Adequate hydration is essential for maintaining bodily functions, with water acting as a medium for nutrient transport, waste removal, and temperature regulation. Both Eternal and Voss water brands aim to offer hydration, but the mineral content and presence of electrolytes can influence how effectively they replenish the body's hydration levels after depletion.
Evaluating Mineral Content
Minerals such as calcium and magnesium are crucial for various physiological processes, including bone health and nerve function.
Eternal naturally contains electrolytes and minerals due to its artesian source.
Calcium (mg/L): 20-50
Magnesium (mg/L): 10-30
Voss, sourced from Norway, is also endowed with minerals, albeit in lower concentrations.
Calcium (mg/L): 5-15
Magnesium (mg/L): 1-5
The presence of these minerals contributes to maintaining electrolyte balance, which is vital for staying hydrated.
Assessing Water Quality: Contaminants and Purity
Water quality is dictated by its cleanliness and absence of harmful contaminants.
Contaminants: Chlorine, used to disinfect, should be minimal to avoid taste and health issues. Both Eternal and Voss assert low chlorine levels, adhering to EPA guidelines.
Purity: BPA-free packaging and filtration methods determine the purity of the water. Both brands claim high purity levels, using BPA-free bottles to prevent leaching of plastics into the water.
Consumers must trust that the bottled water they choose is free from pollutants and aligns with clean drinking water standards set by health authorities.
Taste and Flavor Profiles
The flavor of bottled water is influenced by its mineral content, pH levels, and source. This section breaks down the components that impact the taste and flavor profiles of Eternal and Voss waters.
Water Taste Analysis
When conducting a taste test between Eternal and Voss, several factors come into play. Eternal water is known for a smooth and slightly sweet flavor, attributed to its natural blend of minerals and electrolytes. The source of Eternal, which is naturally alkaline spring water, also contributes to its taste profile. Voss, on the other hand, has a clean and crisp taste, often described as refreshing. Its flavor is influenced by the low mineral content and the fact that it is sourced from an aquifer in Norway.
The Role of pH Levels and Acidity
Eternal: Typically has a higher pH level, usually above 7.5, indicating lower acidity and leading to a smoother taste.
Voss: Has a neutral pH level, close to 7, resulting in a balanced and pure flavor without acidic overtones.
The pH level can greatly affect the perception of taste in water. A higher pH often correlates with the sensation of a smooth, silky taste, which is a characteristic of ionized or high pH waters like Eternal. Neutral pH levels, like that of Voss water, aim to reflect the pure taste of water without any acidic or alkaline notes.
Effect of Minerals on Water Taste
The mineral content in water can significantly shape its overall taste profile. Minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium enhance the flavor by adding a subtle complexity that most people find pleasant.
Eternal Water often includes a blend of various minerals that contribute to its unique flavor and mouthfeel:
Calcium: for a smooth texture
Magnesium: adding a slight sweetness
Potassium: for refreshing qualities
Voss Water, while lower in mineral content, is often praised for its purity and lack of any overpowering mineral taste, making it a favorite for those who prefer a clean and straightforward water taste.
Each brand's distinct taste profile offers a different experience, with no single option being universally superior; preference will depend on an individual's palate and their appreciation for the nuances that pH levels and minerals bring to bottled water.
Bottled Water Brands Comparison
When examining bottled water brands such as Eternal and Voss, it is essential to consider the nuances in their key features and how they stack up against competitors.
Eternal vs. Voss: Key Features
Eternal offers naturally alkaline water with a pH balance that comes from its source amid the Shasta-Trinity Alps. Its mineral content is derived naturally as the water filters through volcanic rock, imbuing it with electrolytes and essential minerals.
Voss, on the other hand, boasts artesian water from Norway with a reputation for purity and a clean taste. Voss presents itself in distinct cylindrical bottles, often found in high-end hotels and restaurants. The mineral content in Voss water is naturally occurring, and while it is less focused on alkalinity than Eternal, it maintains a reputation for its quality.
Feature Eternal Voss Source Shasta-Trinity Alps Norwegian Artesian Mineral Content Naturally filtered, electrolytes Naturally occurring Alkalinity High (naturally alkaline) Neutral Packaging Eco-friendly Cylindrical, stylish bottles
Competitors and Alternatives
Beyond Eternal and Voss, the bottled water market houses many competitors, each with its unique selling points. Fiji water is known for its source in tropical rainforests and its soft, smooth taste with significant mineral content. Evian provides mineral-rich water from the French Alps and is recognized for its hydrating properties. In contrast, Aquafina and Dasani are often cited as purified waters with minerals added for taste rather than being sourced naturally.
Other brands like Smartwater offer vapor-distilled water with added electrolytes, marketing towards fitness audiences, while Core Hydration promotes perfectly balanced pH purified water. Exploring the realm of sparkling water, brands bring in the element of carbonation, with offerings varying from simply bubbly to those enriched with minerals.
For consumers looking for a different kind of hydration, alkaline water and mineral water present options like Eternal, which is associated with a higher pH, and Voss, which ensures the purity of the mineral content, respectively. The key for consumers is to consider the source, mineral content, and any additional features like alkalinity or the choice between still and sparkling water when selecting a brand.
Filtration and Purification Processes
When comparing Eternal and Voss bottled waters, understanding their respective filtration and purification processes is crucial. These processes significantly affect the quality and taste of the water they offer.
Reverse Osmosis and Filtration Techniques
Eternal Water: It undergoes a careful filtration process, but not through reverse osmosis. Instead, Eternal naturally filters its water, preserving essential minerals. These minerals contribute to the unique taste profile of the water.
Filtration Process: Primarily involves the natural passage of water through layers of rock which naturally filters impurities.
Purified Water: Although not subjected to reverse osmosis, the natural filtration ensures a high purity level.
Voss Water: Utilizes different methods that may include reverse osmosis, amongst other filtration technologies.
Hydro-7 Filtration: An advanced, proprietary filtration process. It is designed to remove unwanted substances from the water without stripping it of beneficial minerals.
Reverse Osmosis Usage: Employs reverse osmosis when necessary to achieve desired purity levels.
Natural Filtration: Spring and Artesian Sources
Eternal Water originates from a natural source, specifically mountain valleys. It is considered spring water, which is inherently filtered by the earth as it emerges.
Spring Water: Collected from natural springs, typically found in mountain valleys.
Natural Source: The water benefits from the natural filtration of the earth, keeping essential minerals intact.
Voss Water, on the other hand, is sourced from an artesian aquifer in Norway where the water is naturally protected from contaminants.
Artesian Water: Derived from wells tapping a confined aquifer in which the water is under pressure.
Source Protection: The pressure ensures natural filtration and protection from external elements, helping maintain purity and a clean taste.
Environmental Impact and Sustainability
When comparing bottled water brands like Eternal and Voss, it's crucial to examine their environmental impact and sustainability practices, particularly in packaging and commitment to eco-friendliness.
Packaging and Environmental Concerns
Plastic Bottles: Both Eternal and Voss produce water in plastic bottles. The environmental concern here is that plastic production is energy-intensive and contributes to CO2 emissions. Although Eternal uses PET, which is recyclable, only a fraction of PET bottles are recycled. On the other side, Voss offers some of their water in high-quality, recyclable glass bottles, which may have a slightly lower environmental footprint when reused or recycled properly.
Boxed Water: Alternatives like boxed water are not a primary packaging form for either brand. However, boxed water is often touted as more sustainable due to the higher recyclability rate of cardboard and a smaller carbon footprint in production.
Water Brands and Eco-Friendly Practices
Sustainability efforts: Eternal sources water from a natural spring and emphasizes their path to sustainability by promoting practices that minimize their environmental impact. Voss, originally known for sourcing from Norwegian artesian sources, balances their premium brand stance with efforts to promote recycling.
Ethos Water and Waiakea: Although not directly related to Eternal and Voss, other brands like Ethos Water donate a portion of their profits to water-related causes and Waiakea touts an environmentally friendly ethos by using bottles made from 100% recycled plastic and sourced from volcanic rock, which naturally filters the water.
Liquid Death: Not mentioned among the products of either Eternal or Voss, Liquid Death is another brand known for packaging their water in aluminum cans, which are often more sustainable than plastic due to higher recycling rates and less environmental degradation.
In assessing Eternal and Voss, it's apparent that while both brands engage in certain environmentally friendly practices, there remains a significant path to improve sustainability and reduce environmental impact in the bottled water industry.
Retail Presence and Accessibility
Eternal and Voss are both recognized bottled water brands, each boasting different levels of retail presence and accessibility. The following subsections will detail their specific availability in grocery stores and presence within restaurants and gourmet settings.
Availability in Grocery Stores
Eternal Water, known for its naturally alkaline spring water, is typically found in the bottled water sections of grocery stores. Its availability is primarily domestic as it focuses on selling within the United States. Grocery shoppers will often see Eternal alongside other popular brands of still water. The brand emphasizes its natural filtration and sourcing processes, appealing to consumers who are conscious about the origin of their water.
On the other hand, Voss Water has managed to establish a global presence, positioning itself as a premium brand in grocery stores across various countries. Availability in grocery stores for Voss is not limited to the domestic market; both its still and sparkling water variants are often placed in the premium section, due to its sleek bottle design and marketing as a luxury product.
Bottled Water in Restaurants and Gourmet Settings
When it comes to restaurant availability, Voss is the more likely contender to be found in high-end restaurants and gourmet settings. The brand has been successful in marketing itself as part of an upscale lifestyle, which has resonated with consumers looking for a luxurious experience. Water sommeliers in fine dining restaurants may even prefer Voss for its brand prestige and the choice between still or sparkling options.
Eternal Water, while less prevalent in gourmet situations, is often seen in casual dining establishments due to its accessibility and reputation for taste and quality. Restaurants that focus on domestic products or those with a specific emphasis on health and wellness may stock Eternal Water to align with their brand image.
Conclusion
In comparing Eternal and Voss bottled waters, critical considerations include taste, purity, mineral content, packaging, and sustainability efforts.
Final Verdict: Eternal vs. Voss
Eternal Water is known for its naturally high pH and rich mineral content, providing a smooth and refreshing taste. Sourced from naturally alkaline springs, it offers purity without added chemicals. The brand emphasizes the natural filtration process that enhances its sustainability profile.
Voss, on the other hand, boasts a distinctive minimalist packaging that is both stylish and functional. The water which comes from the Norwegian wilderness, is famed for its purity and clean taste. Voss has made considerable strides in sustainability, offering its artesian water in high-grade PET bottles that are 100% recyclable.
When it comes to packaging, Voss may appeal to consumers who prioritize modern design, while Eternal satisfies those who prefer a more natural and unprocessed water source. It stands strong with a commitment to sustainability by protecting its spring sources and focusing on eco-friendly packaging practices.
In terms of taste and mineral content, both brands deliver high-quality water. Eternal’s selling point is its alkaline water with naturally occurring electrolytes, which can be a draw for health-conscious consumers. Voss delivers a pure taste that aligns with its premium branding.
Sustainability efforts are increasingly important to consumers, and both brands demonstrate a commitment to environmentally friendly practices, although their approaches differ. Eternal focuses on natural preservation, while Voss places emphasis on recyclable packaging and a sleek design.
Both Eternal and Voss waters offer distinct qualities that stand out in the bottled water market. The choice between the two often comes down to personal preference regarding taste and brand values, particularly around naturalness and design.
