Water

Still and carbonated water offer different sensations. Within sparkling options, intensity descriptions do not necessarily form a common scale across brands. Try the type you want in your usual setting without assuming a large bottle will maintain the same sensation after repeated opening. Check the designation and ingredients: fruit illustrations on the label may identify a flavoured drink rather than plain water.

The label may list minerals and an indicator such as dry residue. Compare figures in the same units and, when specified, measured by the same method; do not equate differently expressed values. The mineral profile helps distinguish products and can influence taste, but higher or lower mineralisation does not by itself mean better quality or a medical benefit. For use in a coffee machine or other equipment, consult its water requirements: dry residue cannot replace every hardness or composition requirement.

Individual bottles are convenient away from home. A larger format reduces the number of containers you open but weighs more and takes up space. Check its fit in the fridge and whether the cap allows resealing after pouring. Glass adds weight and needs protection against knocks. Compare price per litre and consider delivery charges or deposits only when stated, without treating a refundable amount as an invariably permanent cost.

Check the seal, bottle condition and storage requirements. Follow instructions concerning light, heat and storage after opening rather than applying a universal time limit. Do not mix leftovers from an opened bottle into a new one. Losing carbonation may change the experience but does not establish that storage has been appropriate. Consult local instructions for disposing of the container; do not assume a single-use bottle is designed for repeated refilling.