And, if those bottles are stored in sunlight, the plastic taste can become even stronger. For carbonated waters, higher levels of minerals are more acceptable. The taste of carbonated water is dominated by the level of carbonation. The more carbon dioxide gas present, the more acidic the taste. Certain minerals bind the carbonation into the water.
Seltzers tend to loose their carbonation quickly because of the lack of minerals.
In bottled water tastings, the more highly mineralized carbonated waters have scored best. As the bottled water boom continues and new brands search for shelf space, the question of taste may become the battle ground of the 1990s. The consumer has been given the message from the industry that bottled water tastes better than tap water. You can have a water tasting at your home or office by simply following these guidelines. Having a water tasting is similar to a wine tasting although the threshold levels of differences are more subtle and the next morning there are no hangovers.