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Natural Mineral Water vs Drinking Water: What Is the Difference?
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Quick answer: Natural mineral water comes from a protected underground source, is bottled at the spring and keeps its original, stable mineral composition; it may not be disinfected or chemically treated. Bottled drinking water (sometimes labelled purified water) can come from any approved source, including desalinated sea water or public supply, and is usually treated, for example by reverse osmosis, before minerals are added back. Both are safe when properly regulated; the differences are the source, the treatment and the taste.
What counts as natural mineral water?
In the European Union, where Solán de Cabras is bottled, "natural mineral water" is a legally protected name (Directive 2009/54/EC). To use it, the water must:
- come from an underground source and emerge from a spring;
- be protected from all risk of pollution;
- be microbiologically wholesome at the source;
- have a characteristic and stable mineral composition;
- be bottled at the source;
- be officially recognised by the authorities.
Only a few treatments are allowed, such as filtering out unstable elements like iron and removing or adding carbon dioxide. Disinfection is not allowed, because the water has to be pure at the spring.
What is bottled drinking water?
Bottled drinking water is made from water that may come from wells, public supply or desalination plants. It is purified, for example by reverse osmosis, UV light or ozone, and minerals are often added afterwards for taste. Many bottled waters sold in the Gulf are produced this way. It is safe and regulated, but its mineral content is set by the producer rather than by nature.
Natural mineral water vs drinking water at a glance
| Natural mineral water | Bottled drinking water | |
|---|---|---|
| Source | One protected underground spring | Any approved source, including desalinated or public water |
| Treatment | None, apart from a few permitted steps | Purified (reverse osmosis, UV, ozone) |
| Minerals | Natural and stable | Often added after purification |
| Bottling | At the spring | At the treatment plant |
| Label | "Natural mineral water" with the spring name | "Drinking water" or "purified water" |
How do you read a mineral water label?
- Name and spring: look for the words "natural mineral water" and the name and location of the spring.
- Mineral analysis: calcium, magnesium, sodium and bicarbonate in mg/L.
- Dry residue at 180 °C: the total amount of dissolved minerals. Under EU rules, up to 50 mg/L is "very low mineral content", up to 500 mg/L is "low mineral content" and above 1,500 mg/L is "rich in mineral salts". Lower figures taste lighter.
- Sodium: water with 20 mg/L or less can be labelled suitable for a low-sodium diet.
Solán de Cabras: a natural mineral water from Spain
Solán de Cabras comes from a single spring in Beteta, in the mountains of Cuenca in central Spain, and is bottled at the source. The spring has been recognised since 1790, and the water is known for its light taste and its blue bottle. It comes still and sparkling, in glass and PET. Learn more about Solán de Cabras or read our Solán de Cabras guide.
Glass or PET: which bottle should you choose?
- Glass suits restaurant tables, hotels and fine dining, and keeps the taste neutral. Still water comes in 500 ml, 750 ml and 1 L glass; sparkling in 330 ml and 750 ml glass.
- PET is light and practical for homes, offices, gyms and travel: 330 ml, 500 ml, 750 ml and 1.5 L.
- Whichever you choose, store bottles away from direct sun and heat.
Where can you buy natural mineral water in the UAE?
OMNIA Food Trading supplies Solán de Cabras across the UAE to homes, offices, restaurants and hotels. Shop still natural mineral water and sparkling mineral water, or order by the case at wholesale prices through the OMNIA B2B portal.
Frequently asked questions
Is natural mineral water better than drinking water?
Both are safe when regulated. Natural mineral water offers a natural, consistent mineral profile and taste from one protected spring; drinking water is purified and its minerals are adjusted by the producer.
What is the difference between spring water and natural mineral water?
Both come from an underground source and are bottled at the spring. Natural mineral water must also have a stable mineral composition and be officially recognised; spring water does not.
Is sparkling mineral water naturally fizzy?
Sometimes. The label says whether it is naturally carbonated or has added carbon dioxide.
Why do mineral waters taste different?
Each spring has its own mix of minerals. Waters with a low dry residue taste light; waters rich in minerals taste fuller.
Where does Solán de Cabras come from?
From a spring in Beteta, in the mountains of Cuenca, Spain. It is bottled at the source, and the spring has been recognised since 1790.
