If you have taken a stroll through any Italian grocery store you may have noticed two things. The first is the amount of pasta brands there are to choose from. Secondly, there is just as much, if not more, in terms of Italian bottle water selection.
In this article, I will cover all there is to know about Italian bottled water including:
- Why Italians drink bottled water
- What is Italian bottled water
- Italian bottled water vs tap water
- Popular Italian bottled water brands
- Claims of Italian bottled water
- Prices, sizes and what to look for
- Italian bottled water for kids
- Where to buy Italian bottled water
The Italian water aisle at any supermarket can be overwhelming but it really shouldn’t be if you familiarize yourself with the basics of Italian bottled water before making your choice.
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Why Italians Drink Bottled Water
Italians drink bottled water because they don’t like the taste of tap water and they believe that they can taste the difference in various Italian bottled water brands and just like food, you should enjoy the flavor of your water choice.
Each Italian family has their own preference for Italian bottled water. Some like it flat, others sparkling and some lightly carbonated. Other families make a choice based on the origins of the water, the mineral properties or the reputation of the brand.
What Is Italian Bottled Water?
Italian bottled water or mineral water is not treated with chemicals or additives to make it potable. It usually comes directly from a natural source in Italy making it more minerally rich.
The types and quantities of the minerals in the Italian bottle water will differ greatly depending on the origin and brand. They all tend to have some amounts of calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium, all of which affect the taste and ‘feeling’ of the water.
All Italians would say that Italian bottled water is preferred over tap water because it has a well-balanced taste, one that tap water does not.
Italian Bottled Water Vs Tap Water
So what is all the type with Italian bottled water? Can you even drink tap water in Italy? The answer is yes, you can and you should, if you like the taste. To read more about Italian tap water and filling up your water bottle at public fountains in Italy, read Can You Drink Tap Water in Italy?
Italian bottled water and tap water are both potable and safe to drink. They have both been approved by the Italian Ministry of Health and gone through rigorous testing*.
The difference lies in the source and the mineral properties of each Italian bottle water and tap water. Tap water tends to be “harder” meaning it has more calcium and magnesium, ultimately affecting the taste. Bottled water or Italian spring water tends to have more minerals and be “softer”. Italians will always argue that Italian bottled water has better flavor than tap water.
Italian bottled water may be:
- Still or naturale
- Sparkling or frizzante
- Lightly carbonated or leggermente frizzante
Good To Know: Italian bottled water is not flavored. You will not find cans or glass unless you are using a water service. Italian bottled water comes unflavored and in plastic.
Popular Italian Bottled Water Brands
There are so many Italian bottled water brands, each of which taste slightly different, come from a different place, have different mineral properties and cost different amounts. Some popular brands can be found in all 20 regions of Italy such as:
- San Pellegrino (sparking)
- Acqua Panna (flat)
- Ferrarelle (very lightly carbonated)
Other Italian bottled water brands are regional and will only be available for sale in certain regions or areas of Italy. Nocera Umbra, for example, is available in central Italy but not in Sicily or northern Italy.
Fact: Many of these Italian bottled water brands have both a plain and carbonated version of their spring water as well as various sizes or zero emission packaging.
San Pellegrino
San Pellegrino, a carbonated thermal mineral water, is one of Italy’s oldest bottle water brands from Lombardy sourced from the Alpines.
Acqua Panna
Acqua Panna, a flat water, is one of Italy’s most popular Italian bottled water brands from the Tuscan Apennines. It’s sold as one of the most popular bands for making baby formula and a popular choice among restaurants and bars in Italy.
Ferrarelle
Ferrarelle, a naturally slightly effervescent water, comes from Campania. It has a very specific taste, similar to a flat sparkling water, which I don’t personally love but so many Italians do!
Levissima
Levissima is a flat Italian water sourced from the Central Alps and beloved throughout all 20 regions in Italy.
San Benedetto
San Benedetto is popular throughout all of Italy, especially for children. It originally is sourced from natural springs in Venice but today, includes sources from all over northern Italy.
Acqua di Nepi made by San Benedetto is a naturally effervescent water that is beloved by many Italians and worth trying for those of you who like a light sparkling water.
Lete
Lete sources its spring water from the southern Apennines and is known for its low sodium content.
Sant’Anna
Sant’Anna is a prized spring water from the Maritime Alps on the French border of Italy.
Other Popular Italian Bottled Water Brands
There are so many Italian bottled water brands that it’s hard to go over them all. Here is a short list of some other brands that you may come across while in Italy (although perhaps not in all 20 regions):
- Norda from Lombardy
- Rocchetta from Piedmont
- Lurisia from Piedmont
- Sangemini from Umbria
- Acqua Uliveto from Tuscany
- Vitasnella from Emilia-Romagna
- Acqua Egeria from Lazio
- Plose from Dolomites
- Pejo from Dolomites
Claimed Health Benefits Of Italian Bottled Water
There are many claims and beliefs that Italian bottled water can help you maintain a healthy lifestyle (and many Italians believe this which is why there is such a huge bottled water industry in Italy).
Many Italian bottled water brands claim that their water has health benefits, including:
- Enhanced digestion
- Skin and hair health
- Increased hydration
- Aids in digestion
- Supports cardiovascular health
- Aids in detoxing
Looking to learn about other health benefits of the Italian lifestyle? Read Olive Oil Health Benefits – According to Italian Nonne (Grandmothers).
Prices, Sizes And What To Look For In Italian Bottled Water
When it comes to choosing what bottled water is right for you, choose based on the price and what kind of what you prefer.
Bottled water will cost anywhere from .15-1.00 cents per bottle based on the brand and size. Supermarket brands will be the cheapest while the most popular brands will cost more.
You can choose ¼, ½, 1 or 1 ½ liters of Italian bottled water, which are sold individually. There usually is not a reduced price if you buy a package of six (but there may be). Feel free to open the packaged on the shelves and choose however many bottles you like, even just one. You are not obliged to buy the whole package of six bottles.
If you are interested in the mineral properties and origin of the Italian bottled water, check out the label, which will be similar to a nutritional label indicating any amounts of sodium, calcium, potassium, etc.
Italian Bottled Water For Kids
The Italian bottled water market is so wide that there is even a specific market for kids. Major brands such as San Benedetto sell water with small ‘kid-friendly’ tops in small bottles that are meant to facilitate easy drinking without spillage.
Other larger bottles of water will be marked with a baby face to indicate that the water is suitable for making formula for babies (i.e. it’s not too hard or soft).
Where To Buy Italian Bottled Water
You can buy bottled water almost anywhere in Italy including:
- Bars
- Restaurants and other eateries
- Italian grocery stores and small specialized stores
- Cafes
- Convenient stores
- On trains
Italian bottled water at restaurants, bars, trains and cafes will cost significantly more than at supermarkets. Expect to pay anywhere from €2.00 – €5.00 at a restaurant but around .30 cents at a supermarket for a liter of water.
Good To Know: For the largest selection of Italian bottled water, head to a supermarket. If the brand isn’t important to you, you can buy water at the indicated shops above.
