In Germany, the legal definition of mineral water is provided in the Mineral and Table Water Ordinance. According to this ordinance, only water that is naturally pure, comes from underground springs and is bottled directly on site may be sold as natural mineral water. But no two types of mineral water are the same. In Germany there are over 200 wells that supply water of very different mineral contents, which influences both the taste and the characteristic ”fizz”. As the law does not prescribe any minimum content for minerals, consumers can choose according to their preferences. Water high in sulphate, for example, has a slightly bitter touch, whereas sodium and sodium chloride leave a subtly metallic or salty taste respectively. Germans’ favourite types of mineral water are sparkling waters that are high in carbonic acid.