What is water with a hardness of 1.7mg/L? Discovering Onsen Sui 99's "super-soft water"
Have you ever had water that felt
"smooth,"
"light on the palate," or
"easy to drink"?
Even water that looks the same at first glance has its own characteristics depending on factors like the amount of minerals it contains.
One of the key indicators for understanding the characteristics of water is "hardness."
The hardness of ONSENSUI99 is 1.7 mg/L.
This is an extremely low hardness level, even among water generally classified as soft water.
So, what exactly does a hardness of 1.7 mg/L mean?
In this article, we will introduce "hardness," which is useful to know when choosing the water you drink every day, and discuss the ultra-soft nature of ONSENSUI99.
What is "water hardness" anyway?
Water hardness is an indicator of the amount of minerals such as calcium and magnesium contained in the water.
Water with low hardness is called "soft water," while water with high hardness is called "hard water."
While soft water is standard in Japan, water with high hardness is not uncommon globally.
When you are traveling or living abroad and feel that
"this water is a bit different from what I usually drink,"
it is often due to the differences in water components, including its hardness.
We explain the basic differences between soft and hard water and how to choose them in more detail in this article.
The hardness of ONSENSUI99 is 1.7 mg/L
The hardness of ONSENSUI99 is 1.7 mg/L.
Looking at the number alone might make it difficult to tell whether it is high or low.
In materials regarding drinking water from organizations like the WHO, a hardness of less than 60 mg/L is sometimes used as a benchmark for "soft water."
Compared to that standard, it is clear that ONSENSUI99, with a hardness of 1.7 mg/L, is extremely soft.
For this reason, ONSENSUI99 describes this characteristic as "ultra-soft water."
However, this does not mean that "the lower the hardness, the better the water."
Hardness is simply one indicator for understanding the characteristics of water.
The important thing is to know the characteristics of each type of water and choose the one that fits your lifestyle and preferences.
Why does water taste different?
The taste and mouthfeel of water are not determined by hardness alone.
They are influenced by various factors, including the type and amount of minerals, as well as the water temperature.
Therefore, it is impossible to simply say,
"Because the hardness is 1.7 mg/L, it will always taste like this."
On the other hand, soft water, which has low calcium and magnesium content, generally has less of a distinct "flavor" and is often perceived as smoother.
We often receive comments from people trying ONSENSUI99 for the first time about how smooth it feels to drink.
Because you drink water every day, it is important not only to look at the numbers on the label but also to consider whether you personally find it easy to drink.
Do you check the hardness when choosing water in Thailand?
Living in Thailand, you will find a wide variety of bottled water in supermarkets and convenience stores.
There are not only domestic Thai products but also water imported from overseas, including Japan.
While you can choose based on price, brand, or bottle size, checking the ingredients and hardness listed on the label is also a great way to learn more about the water you buy.
If you look up the hardness of the water you usually drink, you might be surprised to find out
"it's actually this different."
Since water is something you drink casually every day, why not start by knowing what kind of water you are drinking?
Ultra-soft water for daily meals, not just for drinking
Water is not only for drinking.
It’s used for brewing tea and coffee.
Cooking rice.
Preparing everyday meals.
We use water in many aspects of our daily lives.
If the hardness of the water changes, the flavor of your cooking and beverages can also change depending on the combination.
In Japan, soft water is common, so learning about the relationship between Japanese food culture and water can be a great starting point for choosing the right water.
However, which level of hardness is most suitable depends on the dish, the drink, and your personal preference.
It is important not to assume "soft water is the best for everything," but rather to understand the characteristics of each and use them accordingly.
pH 9.5–9.9 and a hardness of 1.7 mg/L
ONSENSUI99 has another characteristic figure:
its pH level of 9.5–9.9.
ONSENSUI99 is not artificially adjusted to be alkaline; it is natural alkaline thermal water that is alkaline at the time it is drawn from deep underground.
At the same time, it is also ultra-soft water with a hardness of 1.7 mg/L.
In other words, the most important points to know about ONSENSUI99 are that it has two characteristics:
Naturally-derived alkaline pH 9.5–9.9
Ultra-soft water with a hardness of 1.7 mg/L
If you would like to learn more about ONSENSUI99 itself, please see here.
▶ What is ONSENSUI99? Natural alkaline thermal water from Kagoshima, now available in Thailand
It’s water you drink every day—know the numbers and choose wisely
Perhaps not many people check the "hardness" when they buy water.
However, once you know that number, your perspective on water might change a little.
The hardness of ONSENSUI99 is 1.7 mg/L.
We do not expect you to choose ONSENSUI99 based solely on this number.
Where is it sourced?
What kind of characteristics does it have?
And most importantly, do you personally find it easy to drink?
We hope you will choose your daily water with these factors in mind.
ONSENSUI99 is drawn from approximately 750 meters underground in Tarumizu City, Kagoshima Prefecture.
In Thailand, you can enjoy it as one of your options for daily hydration.
▶ View and purchase ONSENSUI99 products
Related Articles
What are the differences between soft and hard water? How to choose easy-to-drink water that suits you
Learn more about the basic differences between soft and hard water here.
Where does water come from? Why you should know about your water's "source"
Beyond just hardness, this article introduces the "water source"—where your water originates.
From Tarumizu, Kagoshima to Thailand | Connecting Japan and Thailand through ONSENSUI99
Discover the story behind the birth of ONSENSUI99 in Tarumizu, Kagoshima, and how it is delivered to Thailand.
