Latest news with #carbonation
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
We Tasted 11 Sparkling Waters—These Are the Ones Worth Buying
All products featured on Bon Appétit are independently selected by Bon Appétit editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, Condé Nast may earn an affiliate commission. Photograph by Elliott Jerome Brown Jr., Prop Styling by Steph De Luca, Food Styling by Thu Buser Like many earth-shattering innovations, industrialized sparkling water was discovered by accident. In 1767, a British scientist Joseph Priestley discovered a reliable method for infusing water with carbon dioxide to make it pleasantly effervescent. He published his findings in a paper titled Directions for impregnating water with fixed air, and shortly after its publication, the modern soft drink industry sprang up: Schweppes debuted in 1783. Although mineral waters, sparkling and still, have a long, illustrious history in Europe, they didn't go mainstream in the US until 1977. That's when an aggressive Perrier ad campaign, in which a husky voiced Orson Welles proclaims that 'nature herself adds life to the icy waters of a single spring: Perrier,' popularized the brand, and the category, in America. According to market research from 2021, the sparkling water industry is worth over $30 billion, and growing. But don't take our word for it—just look at the shelves of your grocery store, or in the refrigerated beverage cases of your local corner store. You'll see rows upon rows of bottled sparkling waters. Some, like Spain's Vichy Catalan, have histories that date back more than 140 years while others are newer additions to the category. Which brand has the superior flavor and bubble? We put 11 nationally available brands of sparkling water to the test in our blind taste test to answer that very question. In this article How we picked the products How we set up the blind taste test How our editors evaluated The Best Bubbly: Canada Dry Club Soda The Seriously Sharp: Saratoga Sparkling The Tops: Topo Chico We also tried… There are innumerable brands of sparkling water on the market, and new ones pop up nearly every day. Instead of tackling every single brand, we chose to focus on the sparkling waters that we knew were most widely available. That means we avoided brands like Marzia, which are harder to find, instead testing well-known options like and Canada Dry. This taste test includes sparkling waters that you'll find at corner stores, gas stations, and supermarkets. We excluded any flavored sparkling waters, which would impede our ability to actually taste the pure water. But we did taste naturally carbonated mineral waters—like the Trader Joe's staple, Gerolsteiner—as well as water that was force-carbonated before bottling, like LaCroix. Since several of our taste testers were loyal to specific brands of sparkling water, anonymity was a priority. We wrapped each bottle tightly in kraft paper to hide the labels from view, and left them in a refrigerator to stay cool. We kept our bottles chilling in the refrigerator until we were ready to taste, and then removed them one by one, uncapping them out of view from our tasters before pouring samples. We had secondary bottles at the ready in case a bottle fizzed over, or had somehow gone flat. We tasted each brand, sharing tasting notes after each, and then narrowed down to our favorites before naming our final three winners. The best sparkling water, our tasters said, should taste clean, refreshing, and should not have any metallic or artificial flavors. They want a sparkling water that works a bit like a palate cleanser, flushing out other flavors with a rush of bubbles without adding much of its own character into the mix. Sometimes, they allowed, a light citric flavor or a very subtle salinity might be nice. More important to our panel was the structure of the bubbles themselves. While some sparkling waters seem to foam and expand with big, loose bubbles, others present tight, sharp carbonation. Our tasters said they prefer the latter. We were looking for a carbonated water that had small, focused, pinprick bubbles that were insistent, but didn't feel like they burned our throat if we had more than a few glugs at a time. The Canada Dry brand appeared on the scene more than a hundred years ago in 1904, when it created a ginger ale. It flourished during Prohibition, and now the brand sells several different kinds of soft drinks. It's worth noting that as a club soda, Canada Dry isn't naturally carbonated, and that added minerals—sodium bicarbonate, sodium citrate, potassium sulfate, and disodium phosphate—give it flavor. These designate Canada Dry's sparkling water as a club soda, as opposed to seltzer water, which doesn't include any minerals. Why it won us over: Even the tasters on our panel who said they wanted a completely flavorless sparkling water were won over by the gentle, nearly imperceptible flavor in Canada Dry's Club Soda. Senior commerce editor Noah Kaufman praised its 'subtle mineral note,' and associate director of drinks Joseph Hernandez enjoyed the very slight citrus note he tasted. Canada Dry scored especially high for its bubble which was miniscule, bright, and dissipated quickly—some tasters said it gave them the same sensation as spice. Associate manager of audience strategy Carly Westerfield called it 'the Sichuan peppercorn of sparkling waters,' and other tasters agreed that its perfect pinprick bubbles made them want to keep sipping. Another heritage brand, Saratoga water dates back to 1872, when it was first bottled in upstate New York. The town of Saratoga Springs was known for its health spas where sick people might spend time, hoping the mineral-rich water that arrived in the town from nearby springs might help cure whatever ailment they were suffering from. Although it has a natural mineral content, Saratoga sparkling water isn't naturally carbonated. Why it won us over: The first thing our panel of tasters mentioned were Saratoga's bubbles, which were larger than some of the other winners. Noah said they were so large you could 'blow them with a wand,' and other tasters said the effervescent sensation lingered in their mouths long after they'd swallowed their sip. But it was the flavor that made our tasters flip. They mentioned a distinct brightness and minerality that worked together to make Saratoga especially refreshing. 'This is the sharpness I'm looking for,' said Ian Stroud, director of creative development, after his first sip. Bottled in Monterrey, Mexico, Topo Chico sparkling water is both naturally carbonated and force carbonated for a little extra sparkle. Its history dates back to the late 19th century, but more recently the brand made waves when a 2020 study by Consumer Reports revealed that the sparkling water contains high levels of PFAS chemicals, more commonly known as forever chemicals. Following the study, Topo Chico pledged to lower the amount of PFAS in its water, and in 2021, announced that it had cut the level in half—though that number is still higher than experts recommend consuming. Why it won us over: Forever chemicals or not, Topo Chico performed exceedingly well in our blind taste test. Associate director of social media Urmila Ramakrishnan called its flavor clean, and Joey noted its perfectly calibrated mineralty—not too strong, but just present enough to make it interesting. The tiny concentrated bubbles, Carly said, washed over the tongue and palate to envelope you in pleasantly sharp carbonation. Alaina Chou, commerce writer, liked that the tight bubbles were sustained before fading gracefully away. Overall, tasters agreed, Topo Chico scored high marks for its balanced flavor and superior bubble structure. Gerolsteiner Sparkling Natural Mineral Water: Tasters liked Gerolsteiner's mineral flavor, but its bubble was too gentle. LaCroix Sparkling Water Pure: Our panel declared LaCroix simply tasteless. Mountain Valley Sparkling Water: With a slow, gentle, round bubble, Mountain Valley didn't deliver the zing of refreshing carbonation of some of our winners. Perrier Carbonated Mineral Water: A strong mineral taste was nice, but Perrier's large, loose bubbles didn't win it many fans. Polar Original: Although it had a fine bubble, our panel of tasters couldn't detect much flavor. Sparkling Natural Mineral Water: Its strong mineral flavor left what felt like a slick coating on some tasters' palates. Trader Joe's Italian Sparkling Mineral Water: TJ's strong mineral flavor made a good impression, but its quickly dissolving bubbles meant it wasn't a winner. Vichy Catalan: With a strong salinity, Vichy Catalan was polarizing in our taste test—many declared it too heavy and mineral-flavored to be an all-around winner. Originally Appeared on Bon Appétit
Fast Company
04-07-2025
- Health
- Fast Company
Pop, soda, or coke? A look at the history behind the soft drink's many names
With burgers sizzling and classic rock thumping, many Americans revel in summer cookouts —at least until that wayward cousin asks for a 'pop' in soda country, or even worse, a 'coke' when they actually want a Sprite. Few American linguistic debates have bubbled quite as long and effervescently as the one over whether a generic soft drink should be called a soda, pop or coke. The word you use generally boils down to where you're from: Midwesterners enjoy a good pop, while soda is tops in the North and far West. Southerners, long the cultural mavericks, don't bat an eyelash asking for coke—lowercase—before homing in on exactly the type they want: Perhaps a root beer or a Coke, uppercase. As a linguist who studies American dialects, I'm less interested in this regional divide and far more fascinated by the unexpected history behind how a fizzy 'health' drink from the early 1800s spawned the modern soft drink's many names and iterations. Bubbles, anyone? Foods and drinks with wellness benefits might seem like a modern phenomenon, but the urge to create drinks with medicinal properties inspired what might be called a soda revolution in the 1800s. The process of carbonating water was first discovered in the late 1700s. By the early 1800s, this carbonated water had become popular as a health drink and was often referred to as 'soda water.' The word 'soda' likely came from 'sodium,' since these drinks often contained salts, which were then believed to have healing properties. Given its alleged curative effects for health issues such as indigestion, pharmacists sold soda water at soda fountains, innovative devices that created carbonated water to be sold by the glass. A chemistry professor, Benjamin Stillman, set up the first such device in a drugstore in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1806. Its eventual success inspired a boom of soda fountains in drugstores and health spas. By the mid-1800s, pharmacists were creating unique root-, fruit- and herb-infused concoctions, such as sassafras-based root beer, at their soda fountains, often marketing them as cures for everything from fatigue to foul moods. These flavored, sweetened versions gave rise to the linking of the word 'soda' with a sweetened carbonated beverage, as opposed to simple, carbonated water. Seltzer —today's popular term for such sparkling water—was around, too. But it was used only for the naturally carbonated mineral water from the German town Nieder-Selters. Unlike Perrier, sourced similarly from a specific spring in France, seltzer made the leap to becoming a generic term for fizzy water. Regional naming patterns So how did 'soda' come to be called so many different things in different places? It all stems from a mix of economic enterprise and linguistic ingenuity. The popularity of 'soda' in the Northeast likely reflects the soda fountain's longer history in the region. Since a lot of Americans living in the Northeast migrated to California in the mid-to-late 1800s, the name likely traveled west with them. As for the Midwestern preference for 'pop'—well, the earliest American use of the term to refer to a sparkling beverage appeared in the 1840s in the name of a flavored version called 'ginger pop.' Such ginger-flavored pop, though, was around in Britain by 1816, since a Newcastle songbook is where you can first see it used in text. The 'pop' seems to be onomatopoeic for the noise made when the cork was released from the bottle before drinking. Linguists don't fully know why 'pop' became so popular in the Midwest. But one theory links it to a Michigan bottling company, Feigenson Brothers Bottling Works—today known as Faygo Beverages—that used 'pop' in the name of the sodas they marketed and sold. Another theory suggests that because bottles were more common in the region, soda drinkers were more likely to hear the 'pop' sound than in the Northeast, where soda fountains reigned. As for using coke generically, the first Coca-Cola was served in 1886 by Dr. John Pemberton, a pharmacist at Jacobs' Pharmacy in Atlanta and the founder of the company. In the 1900s, the Coca-Cola company tried to stamp out the use of 'Coke' for 'Coca-Cola.' But that ship had already sailed. Since Coca-Cola originated and was overwhelmingly popular in the South, its generic use grew out of the fact that people almost always asked for 'Coke.' As with Jell-O, Kleenex, Band-Aids and seltzer, it became a generic term. What's soft about it? Speaking of soft drinks, what's up with that term? It was originally used to distinguish all nonalcoholic drinks from 'hard drinks,' or beverages containing spirits. Interestingly, the original Coca-Cola formula included wine —resembling a type of alcoholic 'health' drink popular overseas, Vin Mariani. But Pemberton went on to develop a 'soft' version a few years later to be sold as a medicinal drink. Due to the growing popularity of soda water concoctions, eventually 'soft drink' came to mean only such sweetened carbonated beverages, a linguistic testament to America's enduring love affair with sugar and bubbles. With the average American guzzling almost 40 gallons per year, you can call it whatever you what. Just don't call it healthy.
Telegraph
30-06-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
The best sparkling water makers from SodaStream to SMEG, tested for refreshing bubbles
Whether you're cutting down on bottled water or mixing up bar-worthy spritzes at home, a soda maker can be a savvy, sustainable investment. These compact machines use a CO2 cylinder to carbonate tap or filtered water (and, in some cases, juice, wine or cocktails) in seconds. Prices range from £80 to over £150, with entry-level options from ProCook and SodaStream and more premium models by Aarke, SMEG and Sage. When choosing a carbonator, consider how easily the CO2 can be replaced (either exchanging the empty cylinder in-store, or via a more streamlined home delivery service), whether the bottles are dishwasher-safe and how much counter space it needs. Newer models can be stylish, but fiddlier to use, while others prioritise simplicity (via silent levers and one-touch presets) over aesthetics. Each soda maker has been thoroughly tested and we regularly update this guide to keep pace with new arrivals and pricing changes. The best sparkling water makers: At a glance JUMP TO REVIEWS How to choose the best sparkling water makers There's more to choosing a soda maker than meets the eye. The first consideration is carbonation strength: some machines offer adjustable fizz levels (necessary if your household prefers different degrees of sparkle) while others use a single, manual pump. If you like full control or stronger bubbles, look for models with multiple pressure presets or lever systems. Next, it's worth noting the bottle type. Most makers use BPA-free plastic, which is lightweight and durable, while premium models offer dishwasher-safe glass bottles that deserve to be seen on the dining table when hosting. CO2 compatibility is another factor. Some brands, like SodaStream, require specific cylinders, while others work with standard threaded options that are often cheaper and easier to refill. Be sure to check which type your machine supports before buying. Finally, think about footprint and design. Sure, some machines look good on your countertop, but form shouldn't come at the expense of function; some of the best performers are also the simplest to use. How we test sparkling water makers I tested 10 soda makers, but only the seven sparkliest performers made it into this guide. Each machine was scored against the following criteria: Design: I assessed how each fits into a typical kitchen: is it compact enough and sturdy for withstanding regular use? Visual appeal was also considered as these appliances tend to live on the counter. Ease of use: From setup to daily operation, I tested the intuitiveness of each model, including attaching bottles, inserting CO2 cartridges and using the controls. Carbonation and taste: Following the manufacturer's guidelines, I compared each drink to shop-bought sparkling water. I also tested the same bottle 24 hours later to see if it retained fizz. Quality and value: Build quality, durability and overall materials were carefully considered, noting the cost of refills and how long each cylinder actually lasts. Additional features: Extras such as the ability to carbonate other liquids (like juice or wine), included accessories such as reusable bottles, or the option to add syrups were all factored into final scores. All soda makers are retained for long-term testing, allowing us to spot-check carbonation performance, cylinder lifespan and build quality over time. Why you can trust Telegraph Recommended Our thorough, real-world tests will always help you find the best product. No manufacturer ever sees Telegraph Recommended reviews before publication and we don't accept payment in exchange for favourable reviews, nor do we allow brands to pay for placement in our articles. All opinions are based on independent expert opinion and our hands-on testing. Visit our Who We Are page to learn more. The Best Sparkling Water Makers of 2025 1. Best Buy Soda Maker: Sage The InFizz Fusion Unlike most models, which are strictly for water, the InFizz can add bubbles to juices, cocktails and iced teas with ease. Yes, it's larger than most rivals, but there's a reassuring weight to the brushed stainless steel design and it feels every inch a premium appliance. Performance-wise, it's faultless. The ergonomic lever gives you full carbonation control (a couple of short presses for light bubbles, or a longer hold for the bold effervescence you'd expect from bottled brands like Acqua Panna or Perrier). Thanks to the cap design, it lasts, too; sparkling water I made on a Monday still had a pleasant bite when I revisited it on the following Wednesday. Mixed drinks were a hit and it quickly tackled batch after batch of sparkling peach sangria without splutters or spills. The included one-litre bottle is solid, fashionable and great for serving and thirstier households can purchase extras separately to ensure they never run dry. With an RRP of £179.95, it's undeniably an investment, but if you're looking to experiment with beverages beyond sparkling water, the Sage InFizz Fusion is in a league of its own. Key specifications 2. Best Value Soda Maker: ProCook Sparkling Water Maker ProCook's Sparkling Water Maker punches well above its price tag. At under £100 with two one-litre bottles included, it'll work hard in your kitchen and quickly save the pennies on pre-bottled fizzy water. Design-wise, we'll admit it's no showstopper. The plastic body is fairly utilitarian, but it is light and compact enough to stash in a cupboard if space is tight. Plus, it uses standard screw-in CO2 cylinders, so you're not tied into a costly brand. Though there's no lever or dial to customise to your preferences, it couldn't be simpler to use; just a few firm presses of the top button delivered an impressive level of fizz, which held up well after 48 hours. The included bottles lock in easily and the added value of a second means never running out of bubbles – good if you're mixing up pitchers for summer picnics. If you're all about aesthetics, this won't be for you. But as an entry-level pick that does the basics well, the ProCook is tough to top. This is currently out of stock, but we have been told it will be available again shortly. For now, you can sign up for stock notifications. Key specifications 3. Best Designed Soda Maker: SMEG Soda Maker SMEG's entry into the home carbonation market strikes the same blend of style and simplicity that made its kettles, coffee machines and toasters cult kitchen favourites. Design-wise, it's unmistakably SMEG: sculptural, rounded edges and a soft matte finish available in minimalist shades including black, emerald green and storm blue. But beyond the looks, it's refreshingly easy to use – no electricity, no screen, no learning curve. Carbonation is controlled via a satisfying metal dial; two twists gave a lightly sparkling water, four gave a sharp, nose-tingling fizz akin to San Pellegrino. During testing, the results were crisp and consistent. I followed the recommended fill and fizz times and got well-carbonated water with good bubble retention after 24 hours. The included 800ml Tritan bottle felt robust and clicked in with minimal effort. It uses standard screw-thread CO2 cylinders and swapping one out took less than a minute. The only let downs? At this price, I'd have liked a second bottle and while it looks premium, the plastic build doesn't quite match the brushed metal finish of the Aarke or Sage models. Still, if you want a simple soda maker that complements a curated kitchen, the SMEG SKC01 is as handsome as it is handy. Key specifications 4. Best Luxury Soda Maker: Aarke Carbonator 3 If soda makers were judged on looks alone, the Aarke Carbonator 3 would win hands down. So much so that it had been unboxed just four short hours before it gained as many compliments from curious house guests. But rest assured, it's more than just a pretty face. The stainless-steel construction looks undeniably high-end (and wouldn't be out of place in a home bar). It also has a surprisingly compact footprint – good if you're short on countertop space, or looking to lean into Marie Kondo minimalism. It works with standard CO2 canisters and includes a custom BPA-free bottle that slots in easily. There's no adjustable fizz dial (you control the carbonation level by how long you press the lever), but I found it intuitive, consistent and satisfyingly smooth to operate. In taste tests, the bubbles were crisp and long-lasting; even after 48 hours, there was a noticeable sparkle. This isn't the most feature-packed machine on the market (there are no glass bottles and it cannot carbonate other liquids), but for those who value elegant design and solid build quality, it's an investment piece that will stand the test of time. Key specifications 5. Best SodaStream Soda Marker: SodaStream Art What sets the SodaStream Art apart is the side lever, which gives you tactile control over carbonation. Short pull for light bubbles, longer for something punchier – it's a game-changer for those who know exactly how they like they're soda (and, in my opinion, a lot more fun than repeatedly pressing a button). The slim retro body looks striking on the counter; however, its height is worth noting, as it didn't quite fit under my kitchen units. Be sure to measure before you buy if this is a dealbreaker for you. Like the Terra (below), the Art uses SodaStream's Quick‑Connect CO2 system, which clicks easily into place and saves fiddling with screw threads. You don't get a glass bottle at this price, which feels like a missed opportunity; though the included plastic one is robust, it lacks the premium feel and presentation of glass. All in all, the Art strikes a good balance of design, performance and fizz customisation. If you like a bit of theatre with your bubbles, this is the SodaStream to go for. Key specifications 6. Best Eco-friendly Sparkling Water Maker: Mysoda Glassy Sparkling Water Maker This Finnish-born brand boasts impressive sustainability credentials – and, refreshingly, its latest release outperformed many bigger brands on test. Built from renewable wood composite in a matte finish, the Glassy made a welcome change from clunkier plastic models, scoring serious style points with its automated sliding door opening and range of colourways. After weeks of loud hissing and fizzing, I particularly appreciated its near-silent carbonation system. It works with readily available screw-in CO2 cylinders and the included bottles are a real plus: they feel sturdy, look smart and hold fizz well. You don't get a lever or fizz dial (carbonation is handled by short button presses), but the resulting bubbles are clean, consistent and lasted 48 hours without fading. It's slightly slower to fizz than SodaStream or Aarke models, but not frustratingly so. If you want a greener appliance that performs, the Mysoda Glassy is a quiet overachiever. Key specifications 7. Best Entry-level SodaStream: SodaStream Terra If you're looking for a straightforward, affordable way to cut back on bottled water, the SodaStream Terra delivers. I tested it over four weeks and found it simple to set up, with a no-fuss Quick‑Connect cylinder that slots neatly into place. It carbonates well, delivering solid fizz that holds up over 24 hours and the lightweight frame makes it easy to whisk from cupboard to countertop. Functionally, it's solid. Simply press the top button in short bursts to get reliably fizzy water every time. But there's no way to customise the fizz level and it lacks the satisfying feel of other lever or rotary systems. It only supports plastic bottles, which may put off those who prefer glass. That said, the bottles are BPA-free and feel sturdy in use. Still, at under £110 (and often on offer), it's a solid starter option for fizz fans. Key specifications Soda Maker FAQs How long does a CO2 cartridge last? Standard cartridges last for around 60 litres of water, roughly four to eight weeks for an average household. Heavier use (or higher fizz settings) will use gas faster. Is making sparkling water at home cheaper than buying bottled water? Yes, especially over time. Once you've bought the machine, the cost per litre drops to as little as 15 to 25p, compared to 50 to 80p for bottled water. Plus, there's less plastic waste. Can I use any brand of CO2 cylinder with my sparkling water maker? Not always. Some machines (like SodaStream) use proprietary cartridges, while others accept standard screw-thread cylinders. Check your model's compatibility before switching. Are glass bottles better than plastic ones for sparkling water makers? Glass bottles are more eco-friendly and dishwasher-safe, but heavier and not offered by all brands. Plastic bottles are lighter and safer to store, but may need replacing more often. Can I carbonate drinks other than water? Only with certain models like the Sage InFizz. Most soda makers are designed for water only and carbonating other liquids can void the warranty or damage the machine.
WIRED
25-06-2025
- General
- WIRED
Here's How to Clean Your Disgusting Beer Glasses
Jun 25, 2025 11:06 AM Tired of those tiny bubbles on the side of your glass? Here's how to have sparkling pours forever. All products featured on WIRED are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links. Once you notice it, it will ruin your life: Bubbles on the side of beer, cider, or even champagne glasses that haven't been properly cleaned. What starts out as a mild annoyance turns into massive frustration when you learn more about what it's taking from your beverage: improperly cleaned and rinsed glasses can affect carbonation, flavor, and—most importantly—head retention. That's right: Badly cleaned glasses rob you of precious foam! As I became a beer writer and homebrewer (shout out to the Portland Brewers Collective), I learned how much dirty glasses were robbing me of precious liquid joy. When I stumble across a dirty glass at a local Portland bar, I immediately question the rest of the operation. I've even sadly begun bringing that professional judgment into my personal life. In the past several years, I can't tell you how many housewarmings, birthday parties, or other events I've attended that have gross-looking beer glasses. The good news is that this is a solvable problem! With a couple simple products and a tiny amount of elbow grease, you can have 'beer clean' glasses forever. I even have a couple tips for quickly sorting out any glasses you find gross at a pal's. The Problem The issue is a buildup on the inside of the glass. Any kind of buildup, whether it be hard water residue, oils from lips, or not-quite-clean sponges and towels, can lead to bubbles on the side of your glass. When there is a disruption in the smooth surface area on a glass, bubbles begin to form there. That's why fancy beer glasses often have etching in the middle of the bottom, so that you get a cool cascade of bubbles coming up to the top and reinforcing the foam. These bubbles and foam are vital to a proper drinking experience for many reasons, but the primary one is that they are a huge vehicle for aroma (which is itself a huge vehicle for perceived flavor). This is also why brewers nearly always recommend drinking beer out of a glass, rather than a can or bottle: Your sense of smell is a huge part of your sense of taste, and the more you can smell your beer the better it will taste. Many folks (guilty as charged) even have specific beer glasses for specific styles of beer, with tulip-shaped glasses ($21) becoming increasingly popular for catching aroma. The Solution While Budweiser's training video shows a three-step process involving a sanitizing step, at home you really just need a sink, a good brush ($14), a proper drying rack ($28), and some lipid-free cleaner ($25) to ensure amazingly gorgeous beer glasses forever. Short of that, a brush and a couple drips of Dawn dish soap ($15) also do the trick. Some folks claim the lipids (fats) in normal dish soaps mean they won't work, and while it is true that it's easier to use lipid-free soap, I have found that regular Dawn and the like work fine too. The key is in the rinsing. Step one is to use clean water to rinse any dust or other dry particles out of the glass. Then take a bottle brush with a little bit of detergent and water and give the glass a good scrub, being sure to coat all surfaces. From there, rinse the ever-loving crap out of the glass and place it on an elevated drying rack (like the one you'd use to cool cookies), so that it can drip-dry quickly and evenly. Once dry, the beer glass can be placed upside down in a cupboard, so as not to get more dust in it while being stored. Before drinking, simply take out the glass, give it a quick rinse with water, and pour your beer. The final water rinse (you'll notice special sprayers in bars for this purpose) is key to ensuring nothing dried weirdly on the glass before you put it away, and it also cools the glass a bit before you pour the beer, which helps with over-foaming. As an aside: There is nothing wrong with chilled beer glasses for certain styles. (I love an ice-cold Japanese lager in a frozen pint glass as much as the next guy.) But you'll want to keep them as clean as possible and not pre-rinse them before pouring beer. It's harder to have a 'beer clean' ice-cold glass than one you can rinse from the cupboard, and bear in mind what else you have in the freezer, lest you have weird-smelling glasses. For the Lazy If you're lazy like me and tend toward washing things in the dishwasher in bulk, you can just do the entire 'beer clean' glass process (including scrubbing and detergent) just before you pour your beer, then use a dish towel to dry the outside of the glass. If washing beer glasses in the dishwasher (many folks say not to do this, but I do it with good results all the time), it's key to make sure that your rinse agent ($30) container is properly filled and your dishwasher's drain is running properly. Rinse agents do a great job of preventing hard-water buildup over time, and generally make it easier to get a clean glass. Also, be aware that logos and paint will eventually wear off in the dishwasher, so hand wash anything you really want to preserve. If you have a glass you think is beyond saving, I've had good luck with a dedicated brush and barkeeper's friend, which also helps clean stainless steel appliances. You can also use vinegar (some folks use this instead of a rinse agent in the dishwasher), which dissolves those hard spots. Once your glass is clean and rinsed, it's time for a beer: Sláinte, kanpai, na zdrowie, gun bae, prost, and bottom's up!
Forbes
22-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Is Using Tech To Make Your Own Sparkling Water Worthwhile?
This portable system makes instant sparkling water Americans apparently love effervescence. According to Google's Gemini, the global sparkling water market was valued at about $42.62 billion last year. And it's projected to grow significantly, with estimates maxing it out at $108 billion by 2032. That's a lot of burps. So it shouldn't shock you that companies are flocking to get in on a piece of and Kirkland flavored sparkling water are mainstays in our home. The labeling implies there's no sugar – just essentially water and CO2. So it's way better for you than carbonated soda. And to me, it's so much tastier than plain drinking water, with all the used to have a Sodastream unit, in which we made our own seltzer water by carbonating ordinary tap water and adding flavor syrup. Somewhere along the way, it broke or stopped working. So we just went back to buying cans of the good stuff. Of course, this habit can get a little pricey. But more than anything, I really just don't like carrying the heavy cases of it in from the car, once we get home from I heard about Aerflo, which brings portability to the category. It's a single drinking water bottle in which the top holds a refillable CO2 canister -- making it a portable, zero-waste carbonation system. It's kind of an online sensation, I noticed, with reviewers posting how-to videos and hundreds of people joining in on the for $74, the system includes the portable carbonator, a reusable bottle, and a set of refillable CO₂ capsules that each make up to four bottles of sparkling water. It's compact enough to fit in your front-seat cup holder; is free of PFAS, BPA and microplastics; and is backed by a circular exchange model. Just drop used capsules in the mail using the prepaid return box, and Aerflo refills and recirculates them from its New Jersey facility. The company claims it's ideal for those who care about sustainability, simplicity and well-made gear. And it of course eliminates the need for counter-top appliances that carbonate two weeks, I've been trying Aerflo – along with friends and family. It's easy to use: You place the small CO2 canister in the lid, fill the water bottle, tighten the lid, press the lid in the marked spot three times or so, shake the container, and then repeat the last two steps three times. When the water has carbonated enough, it lets out a noise of air escaping. Then you remove the lid and drink. The entire process takes maybe 30 my brief experience, it works fine but the water does not get as carbonated as a can of Lacroix – no matter how much I've tried carbonating and even over-carbonating. Yet it generates a pleasing amount of bubbles that does the job. The company asks you not add syrup or flavoring, but you can just pour the water into a separate glass with syrup if you want. I added a lime wedge to the Aerflo bottle, and that worked fine. Also, I was only able to get two glasses of carbonation out of any canister – even once I started pressing the lid the minimum amount of times per glass. So I'm not sure how much savings it's truly offering over just buying cans of sparkling water. But it's definitely better for the environment than throwing out can after an industry clearly growing exponentially, it's good that there are options. I expect there will be more products like this emerging as time goes on. And that makes me feel bubbly.
