Can Water Really Make Such a Difference? The Answer Explained

"Does water affect the taste?"

👉 Answer: Yes, it does.

Coffee, green tea, rice, dashi.
These are all everyday items, but

👉 simply changing the "water" can significantly change the experience.

---

In particular,

👉 soft water tends to bring out the flavor of ingredients more easily.

This is often said.

---

Why does water change the taste?

The reason is simple.

👉 Most food and drink are composed of water.

That's why.

---

For example 👇

• Coffee: Over 98% water
• Dashi: Almost entirely water
• Rice: Absorbs water during cooking
• Tea: Extracted with water

---

👉In other words, water is the "very base of the flavor."

---

Two Factors Determining Water Differences

■ Hardness (mineral content)

• Higher → Flavor tends to be stronger
• Lower → Clearer, milder taste

---

■ Water properties

👉 Affects how ingredients dissolve (extraction)

---

👉This creates differences in taste.

---

Soft Water vs. Hard Water | How Does the Taste Change?

■ Hard Water vs. Soft Water

• Hard water: Tends to bring out richness and bitterness
• Soft water: Tends to bring out umami and sweetness

---

👉This is why soft water is said to be suitable for Japanese cuisine.

---

■ By Scene | How Water Changes Things

This is where it gets important 👇

---

Coffee × Water

👉 Changes clarity and aroma

• Soft water: Clean and well-balanced
• Hard water: Tends to bring out bitterness and heaviness

---

👉→ For details, click here (to the coffee article)

---

Green Tea × Water

👉 Changes umami (theanine)

• Soft water: Mellow, sweet
• Hard water: Tends to bring out astringency

---

👉→ For details, click here (to the green tea article)

---

Rice × Water

👉 Changes texture and sweetness

• Soft water: Fluffy, soft
• Hard water: Slightly firm, dry

---

👉→ For details, click here (to the rice article)

---

Dashi × Water

👉 Changes umami and clarity

• Soft water: Brings out umami
• Hard water: Tends to bring out杂味 (unpleasant flavors)

---

👉→ For details, click here (to the dashi article)

---

Why is ultra-soft water chosen?

Of particular note is

👉 ultra-soft water (water with very low hardness)

.

Characteristics 👇

• Doesn't interfere with ingredient flavors
• Draws out ingredients' natural properties
• Smooth on the palate

---

👉It can be said to be suitable as "water that can be used for everything."

.

---

What happens when you actually try it?

Simply changing the water can lead to

👉 The following changes may be noticed:

• The taste becomes mellow
• The aroma is enhanced
• Meal satisfaction increases

---

👉No special skills are required.

---

Using water like Onsensui 99

For example,

👉 Onsensui 99 (ultra-soft water with a hardness of 1.7)

is water that

• Doesn't interfere with taste
• Enhances ingredients
• Easy for daily use

---

👉It is suitable as "water that can be used for everything."

---

Summary | Changing water changes daily life

From now on,

👉 It's not just about "what to choose,"
👉 but "what to make it with."

becomes important.

---

Even with the same ingredients,

👉 The experience changes with water

---

👉Changing water means changing the quality of your daily life.

.

---

👉First, try changing your usual water.
You'll surely notice the difference.

---

## Related Articles | Read more by theme

First,
👉 Please understand the basics in "What is water hardness? The difference between soft and hard water."

After that, please also see the differences for each theme.

・👉 "Does coffee change with water? How to choose water for delicious brewing"
・👉 "Does green tea change with water? The difference in water that brings out the umami of theanine"
・👉 "Does rice change with water? The reason for fluffy cooked rice"
・👉 "Does dashi change with water? How to choose water that brings out umami"