SodaStream is the name of a carbonation maker first invented in 1903.

In the 1970s and 1980s, when there were different concentrated syrups available, versions were produced that could add concentrates to create carbonated drinks in popular flavors. The company merged with Soda-Club and offered its product as a way to make healthy drinks for kids.

The SodaStream drink maker consists of a small device that forces carbon dioxide into water, making it have a taste like soda pop. The system includes: a) a machine; b) a canister of carbon dioxide; and c) reusable beverage bottles (suitable for pressurizing). The bottle, when filled with water, is screwed on to the machine, and with a push of the button ejects compressed CO2 from a canister into the bottle, making sparkling water (also called seltzer). There are more than a few flavors which can be used to create regular soft drinks by adding a tiny amount to the carbonated bottle of water. When the canister is out of CO2, you return it to the market and purchase a carbon dioxide (CO2) refill.

With so many kinds of concentrate, soft drinks can be made with unique and different flavors. During the period when the systems were at the height of their popularity, many well-known brands were available for SodaStream in the concentrates – such as Fanta, and Sunkist.

MilkStream, a variation of the SodaStream, and was devloped for creating milkshakes. A frothy, delicious milkshake can be created by combining Ice cream, milk and Crusha syrup, and utilizing an extended wand into the glass.

The first machines made were large, and were sold to the upper classes of London, including to the royal household. There were flavors with odd names, one being the famous sarsaparilla introduced in the 1920s, as well as commercial carbonation machines. The very first machine for home carbonation was produced in 1955.

SodaStream’s super popularity in the UK during the 1970s and 1980s has helped fuel its current association with nostalgia for that era. The advertising jingle in 1970s was, “Get busy with the fizzy” — a slogan so popular that the company added it to its logo. It was finally dropped in 1996 after 17 years.

Commercially successful, there was a perception by some that the soft drinks made by these machines were a poor imitation of their commercial counterparts. One of the noticeable differences was that in addition to slightly different flavors of the produced drink, the bubbles made by SodaStream machines are larger and shorter-lived. Today this has changed, partly because of Aromhuset flavors for carbonated water, and Sodastream now is the leader in sparkling water.

Today, SodaStream is part of Soda-Club; there are a variety of websites where products can be purchased and supplies ordered, and reordered, when needed.

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Soda water is carbonated water; sometimes referred to as sparkling water, it is water to which carbon dioxide gas has been added. Most “soft drinks” and “pop” have It as the principal ingredient. The process of carbonation results in soda pop — that is, carbonic acid.

Many people enjoy a simple home chemistry: using a seltzer bottle filled with water and then “charged” with carbon dioxide to produce soda water, also known as club soda. Club soda may be the same as plain carbonate water but it can have a small amount of table salts, and sodium trace minerals. These additives make the taste of home made soda water slightly salty. In many areas this process is a natural occurence and produces carbonated mineral water.

In some cases, a little dental decay might be caused by sparkling mineral water. Sparkling water’s potential affects on dental problems are slightly greater than with non-sparkling water, but the problem is not a major one. Tooth decay seems to be stimulated much more by regular soft drinks than by sparkling water. The rate is so low it suggests that carbonation of drinks may not be a significant factor in causing dental decay.

Artesian wells are often the source for water that filters among layers of minerals containing forms of carbonates, absorbing the carbon dioxide gas released by those carbonates. Natural sparkling water is the result. Shoud the water also pick up enough different minerals to become flavored, it becomes sparkling mineral water.

Basically, water + carbon dioxide = soda water. Carbonation produces naturally-occuring substances, such as sparkling mineral water. A jeweler, in 1794, made a device to produce an artificial carbonated mineral water.

A taste test was conducted involving several carbonated drinks; Perrier, a sparkling natural mineral water, was deemed to keep its fizz the longest.

For consumers who believe seltzer to be a bit harsh, club soda offers an alternative, with a gentle fizz. During the taste test, club soda seemed to be milder, as well as a little sweeter, than standard carbonated water.

Club soda, sparkling mineral water, seltzer and carbonate water have no calories, which make them a dieter’s choice over soda pop and tonic water.

Another carbonated drink, tonic water, is produced by mixing water, sugar, carbon dioxide and quinine. Quinine was originately added to tonic water to help cure or prevent malaria. Today it is often mixed with gin and lemon or lime to create an alcoholic drink.

Soda water? These simple facts show us it’s not so complicated after all.

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