Farris (mineral water) facts for kids
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| Country | Norway |
|---|---|
| Source | Kong Olav V kilde, Larvik |
| Type | sparkling |
| Calcium (Ca) | 28 |
| Chloride (Cl) | 667 |
| Bicarbonate (HCO3) | 300 |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 31 |
| Potassium (K) | 16 |
| Silica (SiO2) | 6 |
| Sodium (Na) | 455 |
| Sulfate (SO4) | 11 |
| TDS | 1400 |
| Website | http://www.farris.no |
| All concentrations in milligrams per liter (mg/L); pH without units | |
Farris is a popular brand of sparkling mineral water from Norway. It's made in a town called Larvik. Farris is actually Norway's oldest and most popular bottled water! For a long time, people believed it had good effects on their health.
Contents
The Story of Farris Water
How Farris Began
Farris water started because mineral spas became very popular in Norway in the late 1800s. People would visit these spas to drink special mineral water, hoping it would make them feel better.
In 1875, a doctor named Dr. J.C. Holm found a spring full of minerals near the Farriselva river. This discovery led to the opening of Larvik Bad in 1880. Larvik Bad was a special health resort where one of the main treatments was drinking this mineral-rich water. It became very popular, hosting up to 300 guests at a time. Even famous Norwegian author and Nobel winner Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson visited the resort.
Growing into a Brand
In 1907, a local company called Vestfold bryggeri started bottling the mineral water. They worked with Larvik Bad and called their first bottled water "Salus." This made it Norway's oldest brand of mineral water.
A new factory was built between 1912 and 1915 by architects Christian Morgenstierne and Arne Eide. Production moved to this new building in 1915. The factory was made even bigger in 1980 and is still where Farris water is bottled today. Also in 1915, the brand name changed from "Salus" to "Farris."
Farris has become a symbol of Norwegian sparkling mineral water. It is very dominant in Norway, holding about 71% of the market share for sparkling water.
Where the Water Comes From
Many people think Farris water comes from Lake Farris, but that's not true! The spring and the Farris bottling factory are located at the bottom of Bøkeskogen. Bøkeskogen is a forested hill that separates Lake Farris from the sea, called Skagerrak.
The mineral water actually starts as rainwater falling on this hill. It slowly filters through layers of moraine (rock and dirt left by glaciers) for about 15 to 20 years. During this long journey, the water picks up many minerals, making it "mineralized." In 1988, a new spring was found 21 meters deep, and this is the source of Farris water today.
Farris and Health Beliefs
Since the first spring was found in 1875, people believed the water could help with various health issues. Dr. J.C. Holm suggested it as a treatment for different conditions. The poet Robert Herring also claimed that Farris helped clean the body.
Royal Connections
Farris has a special connection to the Norwegian royal family. The first spring was named Kong Haakons kilde (King Haakon's Spring) after King Haakon VII of Norway. A nearby spring was named after Queen Maud of Wales. The newer spring, discovered in 1988, is named Kong Olav Vs kilde after King Olav V of Norway.
Farris was one of the few brands that had a special agreement to supply the royal family. Even today, Farris is delivered freely to the king wherever he is. During World War II, when Germany occupied Norway, Farris was not allowed to use the name Kong Haakons kilde in their advertising. This was because the name was seen as supporting the exiled king.
Farris Today
Today, Ringnes breweries own the Farris brand. They produce sparkling mineral water, including versions with different flavors. About 40 million liters of Farris are produced each year.
In 2001, Farris launched a new blue glass bottle (0.33 liters). This bottle won the "Honours Award for Design Excellence" from the Norwegian Design Council, showing how well-designed it was.
