What actually affects the flavor of regular sparkling water?
I have NEVER liked the flavor of sparkling water. I despise the taste of carbonation. My wife has gotten me to get several brands over the years. Waterloo, La Croix, Bubbly, Polar, etc. For the longest time, the only one that I had "liked" is Topo Chico because it was the one where I could taste the carbonation the least.
I recently tried Liquid Death. Controversy around the brand aside, I actually *really* like their mountain water. It doesn't taste like carbonation at all to me. I can't get enough of it. It's the main drink of choice in my office mini fridge now.
This got me thinking: what actually is the differentiator of flavor for regular sparkling water? The ingredient list for their mountain water only lists water and carbon dioxide. This is true for every other regular sparkling water that I have tried. What actually affects the flavor? Why do I like Liquid Death so much when other brands taste so bitter to me?
Thanks!