How Water Affects the Taste of Your Holiday Food and Drinks

Everyone wants to impress their guests with a show-stopping homemade holiday meal. But sometimes, the decadent dish you’re sure will be a hit doesn’t get the five-star review. You may blame the recipe, the oven, or the ingredients – but did you know the culprit could actually be your water?

Most home chefs don’t consider how water from the tap can undermine their hard work in the kitchen. If your water contains impurities that affect its taste or smell, you’ll notice it not only in your drinking water, but also your coffee, recipes, or anything you make with tap water. Here are some of the most common problems that impact the taste of your water.

Decaying vegetation

Have you ever noticed an earthy or musty taste in your water? This could be because your water is contaminated by decaying vegetation or algae. Commonly found in groundwater, these pollutants create an earthy taste in your water that runs straight into your tap – – maybe not the quite the organic you were hoping for.

Metals

If your water contains excessive levels of iron, copper, manganese, or zinc, you may notice an unpleasant metallic taste in your water. Water with extremely high iron or copper can also discolor your beverages, vegetables, or even come out of the tap with a reddish-brown tint.

Sulfur

Sulfur in water presents itself as a foul odor, described as similar to rotten eggs. This smell is caused by the presence of hydrogen sulfide gas and is particularly common in well water. Although sulfur is usually harmless, it may cause some to experience dehydration or an upset stomach. It can also produce a slime that may eventually clog plumbing systems and encourage the growth of other harmful bacteria.

The Best Recipes Call for Fresh, Filtered H2O

Don’t leave a bad taste in your mouth this holiday season. If you notice any of these symptoms in your water, consider having your water tested by your local Culligan water expert to ensure your home has high-quality, filtered water all year long.