TDS is measured in parts per million (ppm) and you can taste “all of the minerals that are dissolved in the water naturally. That’ll be calcium, magnesium, potassium, bicarbonate, silica, iron, zinc. This is what gives water its character: the creaminess, the saltiness, the oiliness, the bite,” Milin says. “If you drink an 8,000 year-old, mineral-rich glacier water with a TDS of 7,500ppm, that’s a meal in itself.” BRITA Marella XL filter reduces the amount of magnesium & calcium (i.e. hard water) present in your water. This also includes the removal of chlorine (that is often added to water as a way to remove bacteria but not ideal to consume). Despite it’s great credentials there are some things wrong that you should know about before you buy…. When and Why To Use BRITA Filter? The unit is very small yet powerful with a ridiculously long feature list but here are just some of its features: The taste of the water gets a thumbs up from our sommelier, Milin, who says it’s softer and less chlorinated than tap water, but still with a distinctive flavour. I love it – it tastes distinctly better than my tap water, with a lighter feel.

A water filter jug enables you to drink pure water without single-use plastic bottles – in the UK we throw away 7.7 billion of them per year. Some also think it's better for your health, although Milin is a big fan of our tap water and says there's no evidence it's not good for you. Filtering can also change the taste of tap water. However, as Milin points out, it’s actually mineral content that gives water its flavour. ZeroWater’s output is totally flavourless and smooth – I personally preferred that the water above actually had a taste. If getting a whole house water filter or tap faucet filter is too expensive or too much of a commitment then a portable water jug is ideal. It is one of the easiest water filter jugs to use. The BRITA Marella XL comes with an easy flip-top lid. This lid makes it both easy to refill and pour out the filtered water. The 10 cup model I test would be too big for smaller fridges, but it holds an impressive 2.3l of filtered water, and the clever design means you can either pour the water out of the top of the jug or dispense it at the bottom. If you need a smaller or larger capacity, the jug comes in a wide range of sizes from six cups to 30 cups.If you need something that doesn’t just filter but provides you with healthy alkaline water then this is my top recommendation: Need A Filter Water That Also Gives You Healthy Alkaline Water? Platinum Alkaline Water Ionizer and Filter Machine Also, remember that you don’t just need clean water to drink on its own. You can use filter water for cooking and making teas. Traditionally, water has been filtered with moringa seeds, clay and dried coriander to make it safer and improve the taste, as well as charcoal, which is still used in water filter jugs now, says Milin. The Bawell platinum alkaline water ionizer has to be one of the most user friendly countertop alkaline water machines available on the market today.

What is the best water filter jug?” may not be a question that’s occurred to you before. But once you look into the details of water filtration, as I have in the process of writing this piece, it’s a question that needs answering. Water is “very similar to wine” says Milin Patel, the UK’s leading water sommelier. (Yes, that is a real occupation.) “Once you get the right mineral level, or the right carbonation level, the water pops. You discover flavours. I work with a number of chefs creating water pairing menus,” he says. However, it not only removes harmful contaminants from your water, it also provides you with richer water through alkalinization. Best Features It really does NOT filter much out from your water and not really worth it in my opinion. The Best Brita Alternative? ZeroWater Filter

Filtration in a nutshell

Bottled water is very wasteful while potentially risking your health with BPA poisoning from the plastics.