New Tesco Ashbeck
Hey all
Went into Tesco today and have seen they've discontinued the much loved Ashbeck, and have re-branded to a more generic still mineral water.
The composition still looks broadly the same, and looks like it's still bottled in the Eden Valley in Cumbria.
But as it's not the same I'd welcome thoughts on suitability for pour overs. My preference is high clarity brews (I use a ZP1).
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It's basically the same. Slightly lower chlorine and overall TDS, that's it. My guess is it's just a more recent measurement of the same water source. Presumably they don't measure and print new labels on a daily basis, as natural water sources are bound to have some level of variation.
I'm halfway through a bottle at the moment. Brews have been good, then again they were beforehand with the old ashbeck bottles. It's a solid, affordable and easily accessible option for anyone in the UK cursed with hard tapwater.
The most important factor for coffee flavor is bicarbonate and that’s identical across these two. The other differences mean much less, and are also so minor that it’s likely just down to measurement variation of the same exact source on different days or in different seasons.
i use volvic and it has double the bicarbonate at 80 lol
Bicarbonate is the main buffer ion that’s found in drinking water, which means it’s an ion that’s able to neutralize acids that are added to the water (such as the acids in coffee) and resist a pH change.
In coffee flavor terms that means it reduces perceived acidity. If your bicarbonate is too high, you won’t get a lot of that vibrant fruity acidity. The flavor tends to end up more drab and “brown”.
Old for reference
You're pretty lucky, my local Tesco started selling a different water called Elmhurst, and it's much, much worse
I need an alternative ASAP
It turns out there is a government list of recognised springs, this is Elmhurst in Lichfield, Stafford, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/natural-mineral-waters-lists-of-recognised-products/uk-natural-mineral-waters-recognised-in-the-uk-list-of-products which is probably the same as Aldi Lichfield and Sainsburys Chase Spring (although you'd have to check the postcode, I don't have them to hand). Values are slightly different to what I've got for those, so I guess the new labels have updated measurements.
(That list also confirms Armathwaite, Cumbria is Ashbeck.)
If you live anywhere near a waitrose their own brand water has the same composition as the old Tesco Ashbeck
Give it some time. My local Express has the new own-brand but the nearest Superstore just has Elmhurst right now
Elmhurst is horrid! Hope a better alternative is accessible!
Thanks to everyone in the replies for confirming my suspicions regarding the rebrand of Ashbeck 🤝
I couldnt find it in my local tescos! I wonder how it compares?
Ive heard the waitrose distilled water was very good also for pourovers
I don't think Waitrose do a distilled water (not for drinking anyway), but their Lockhills spring water seems to come from the same source as Ashbeck; the composition on the label was identical before this rebrand. Will be interesting to see if they update their numbers, might have just been prompted by the label redesign.
My stomach has sank reading this... Might go to my local Tesco and stock up, they're going to think I've lost my mind. Please someone let me know if the new version of it still tastes good 😂
Funny to think they might not even know they had brand recognition for it (home beer brewers like it too). I wonder if the rebrand is to use a wider variety of sources, sainsburys sell at least two (Eden Valley and Chase Spring) under the same 'British Spring Water' label.
I fear r.e. NorweeegianBlue's comment below that might be the long term ambition
Oh damn. Someone should tell them they could charge a premium.
lol I was about to create the same post.
Tldr less chloride and less residue
This still looks good, just dilute as needed to get your preferred level of alkalinity.
I gather Waitrose Essential is the same as Ashbeck, just badged for Waitrose. I haven't got a bottle of both at the moment to compare, but this is what I hear. My local Tesco only has the newer brand at the moment, so will go to Waitrose tomorrow.
What name are they selling this under? I was so disappointed when they put up a notice on their website that they will stop selling Ashbeck
Sold as “Tesco British Natural Mineral Water Sport Still” seems to be exactly the same as the old ashbeck labelled product
Thank you! I can't seem to find it in the 5l cans like Ashbeck though :(