Flavored Water Filters - How to Add Great Taste to Your Tap Water

Flavored Water Filters - Adding Great Taste to Your Tap Water

Staying hydrated is vital for health, but many people find plain water boring. This is where flavored water filters come in! These ingenious devices allow you to add delicious fruit, herb, and other flavors to your tap water easily. Read on to learn all about the different types of flavored water filters and how to choose the best one for your needs.

Why Flavor Your Tap Water?

Drinking adequate water is crucial to bodily functions like circulation, digestion, nutrient absorption, and more. But around 75% of Americans may have chronic dehydration. A leading reason is that people often turn to sugar-filled sodas, juices, coffee, etc. when they want more flavor.

Adding flavor makes regular water more appealing as a hydration source. Benefits of flavored water filters include:

• Increase daily water consumption
• Avoid excess sugar in store-bought flavored water
• Reduce use of bottled water and plastic waste
• Fun customizable flavors to suit your tastes
• More cost effective than buying specialty beverages

With a flavored water filter, you can conveniently give your tap water an extra flavor boost while staying hydrated and healthy.

Types of Flavored Water Filters

There are two main types of filters that add flavor and aroma to water from your kitchen faucet or refrigerator dispenser:

1. Pitcher Filters

These are pitchers with built-in filters that typically contain pods or inserts. As water passes through, the flavors infuse into the water. Some examples:

• Brita Stream Pitchers - Use flavor pods to create water with a hint of fruit, herbs, or other flavors.
• ClearStream Pitchers - Flavor pods also available with popular flavors like strawberry, lemon, and cucumber.
• ZeroWater Pitchers - Insert slices of real fruit or herbs into central chamber to naturally flavor water.

2. Faucet Mount Filters

These attach directly to the kitchen sink faucet. Water passes through the filter as it flows into your glass or bottle. Types include:

• PUR Faucet Filters - Vertical mineral sticks infuse flavor and nutrients.
• Brita Faucet Systems - Use filter cartridges with built-in flavoring beads.
• Culligan Faucet Filters - Flavor cartridges similar to Brita models.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Flavored Filter

With so many options, choosing the best flavored water filter for your home depends on several factors:

Type of Flavors

Are you looking for subtle fruit essences or more intense flavors? Consider if you want to flavor with natural fruits/herbs or flavor beads. This will guide you toward the system that can provide your preferred flavor intensity.

Pitcher vs. Faucet Mount

Pitcher systems provide portability, while faucet mounts make on-demand flavoring convenient. Choose based on your counterspace and usage - pitchers for a fridge or tabletop, faucet mounts for easy kitchen access.

Frequency of Use

For all-day sipping, a faucet filter allows continuous flavoring access. If you mainly want flavored water occasionally, a pitcher lets you make a batch then save for later.

Filtration Needs

Many flavored water filters also remove impurities with carbon or other filters. If you want to filter sediments or metals too, check the product specs for filtration capabilities.

Budget

Flavored water systems range from $20+ for basic pitchers up to $50+ for higher-end faucet systems. Make sure to account for ongoing filter cartridge replacement costs.

Tips for Using a Flavored Water Filter

Once you've chosen the ideal flavored filter model for your home, use these tips to get the best performance:

Maintain Proper Filter Replacement Schedule

Replace filter cartridges or inserts based on the manufacturer's schedule to prevent clogged filters and weakened flavoring. Mark your calendar to stay on track.

Adjust Flavors to Taste

Experiment with flavors you enjoy and tweak amounts to find your perfect balance. With pitchers, adjust slice amounts. For faucet systems, mix and match flavor cartridges.

Clean Regularly

Follow cleaning instructions to prevent bacteria buildup. Wash pitchers thoroughly after use. For faucet mounts, sanitize the hardware and tubing.

Chill Water Before Serving

Run water through flavor filters when cold to maximize taste. For pitchers, refrigerate before drinking. Add ice or serve water over ice for even more chilling.

Mix and Match Flavors

For custom combinations, use two different flavor pods/cartridges together in one pitcher or faucet system. Or blend flavored water with sparkling water, juice, etc.

Popular Flavored Water Ideas to Try

Flavored filters offer endless options for customizable taste. Here are some refreshing ideas to inspire your palate:

Citrus Flavors

Lemon, lime, grapefruit, and orange filters provide the classic bright, tangy flavors of summer. Great for sipping chilled on hot days.

Berry Flavors

Strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, and blueberry infuse a sweet, fruity flavor. Mix berries together for a summer berry medley.

Tropical Flavors

For island vibes, try mango, pineapple, coconut, or kiwi flavored filters. Makes water taste like a vacation!

Herbal Flavors

Soothing mint, basil, lavender, rose, and cucumber water is light and fragrant. Wonderful hot or cold.

Spa Water Flavors

Create refreshing cucumber-lemon, strawberry-mint, or citrus-berry waters. Elegant for special events or everyday.

Infused Fruit Flavors

Many pitchers allow you to insert real fruit like orange slices, berries, kiwi, or muddled herbs for natural flavor.

Storing and Serving Flavored Water

To properly store and serve your flavored filter water:

Storage

Keep unused flavored water in a sealed pitcher in the fridge for 24-48 hours. For longer storage, pour into an airtight bottle and refrigerate for 3-4 days.

Serving Temperature

Most flavored waters are optimal when icy cold. Add ice cubes just before serving or chill pitchers and bottles in the fridge or freezer before drinking.

Garnishes

Consider fun garnishes! Lemon/lime slices, fresh mint, sliced berries, etc. Lime wedges nicely complement citrus or tropical flavors.

Glassware

Serve in a tall glass over ice. Mason jars or infuser water bottles also help showcase charming fruit/herb garnishes.

Flavored Water Filter vs. Store-Bought

Flavored filters offer distinct advantages over premade flavored waters you find in stores, such as:

• No artificial sweeteners or preservatives
• Control flavor intensities to your taste
• Usually more economical
• Fun to mix up different flavor combinations
• Easy to make flavors seasonal or holiday-themed

With your own filter, you can create healthier, better tasting flavored water that's catered to your preferences for a fraction of the cost.

Safety Tips

Flavored water filters make it easy to liven up your hydration, but keep these safety tips in mind:

• Always follow manufacturer instructions for setup, use, cleaning, etc.
• Check that your tap water meets the filter system requirements.
• Properly clean all components that contact water to prevent mold.
• If using fruit/herbs, thoroughly wash produce and remove pits, stems, etc.
• Ensure the filter is well sealed when not in use to avoid leaks.
• Do not use flavored water after 48 hours refrigerated to prevent bacteria growth.

Enjoy Endless Flavor Options

Flavored water filters offer an easy way to create your own delicious flavored waters at home while cutting down on waste and cost. With so many infusion flavors to try, you're sure to find thirst-quenching combinations your whole family will love. Stay hydrated in the tastiest way possible with a refreshing flavored water filter system.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.