Selters facts for kids
Selters is a famous German brand of natural mineral water. It comes from special wells near the Taunus mountains in Hesse, Germany. People have known about this water since the Bronze Age, a very long time ago!
Selters water is special because it's a natural soda water. It has a lot of sodium bicarbonate, which is also called "soda." The water also contains other important minerals like calcium, chloride, magnesium, sulfate, and potassium. It's naturally carbonated, meaning it has bubbles, but you can buy it with or without extra fizz.
The name "Selters" is so well-known that in the United States, "seltzer" is a common word for any kind of soda water.
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The Story of Selters Water
People have used the Selters wells for a very long time. The Romans might have even given the water its name. Some think it comes from "aqua saltare," meaning "water jump," or "saltrissa," meaning "salt rising."
The wells were first mentioned in old papers from 772 AD. These papers were found in nearby monasteries. In the 1500s, under the rule of Johann von der Leyen, Selters water became famous all over the world.
Selters as a Health Drink
Selters was once a popular place to visit for health. People believed the water was good for them, and they also liked its taste. For many centuries, a lot of Selters water was sent to other countries. In 1787, a report said that over a million bottles were shipped worldwide!
The old Selters bottles were made of stoneware, not glass. They were common from the 1600s to the 1800s. Don't confuse them with modern "seltzer bottles," which are used to make soda at home.
Copycat Waters and New Discoveries
Because Selters water was so popular, some people tried to make their own "selters waters." They added minerals to regular water to try and copy the original. This actually helped make the real Selters water even more famous as the best soda water.
A scientist named Torbern Bergman studied mineral waters carefully. In 1775, he showed how to add bubbles to water to make it like natural mineral water. This was a big step in making carbonated water more common.
Where Selters Water Comes From Today
The main well in Niederselters stopped producing water in 1999. But Selters water is still made today! It comes from a well in Selters-Löhnberg, which is about 25 kilometers away. This well has been used for almost 200 years. Another company in Oberselters also produces Selters water.
If you want to learn more, there's a Selters water museum in Niederselters!
In some parts of Germany, words like "Selters," "Selterwasser," or "Selter" are now used to mean any kind of mineral water, not just the original brand.
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