Did you walk into the Starbucks outlet in your area after a hard day at work, and the water tasted heavenly? Wondering what made the water taste so pure?
Starbucks is about excellent quality, taste, and service, from water to beverages and food.
Starbucks uses an osmosis filtration system with 3-stage reverse osmosis. This makes their water taste out of this world.
What is osmosis filtration? What are the 3-stages in the RO system? Let’s find out.
Starbucks uses a 3-stage RO osmosis water filtration system.
This 3-layer filter in one system helps to remove chlorine, sediments, and other substances present in the water, reducing its hardness to a great extent.
The 3-stages of the filtration system:
- Pre-Filtration Stage
- Chlorine and Chemical Filtration Stage
- Organic/Inorganic Compounds Removal Stage
Once you taste Starbucks water, it may be unsatisfying to drink water at home.
Relaxing at Starbucks with water can be just as tasteful as enjoying the beverages. This unique taste comes from the triple RO filtration called the osmosis filtration system. What is osmosis filtration? How is it different from other filters? Can we get a similar water taste at home? Are you eager to know about it? Then, keep reading.
What Is Starbucks Triple Layer Osmosis Filtration?
How does Starbucks water taste so unique? It is because of their filtration system.
What water filter does Starbucks use? They use a triple-layer reverse osmosis filtration system.
What is osmosis filtration? What makes it different from the rest?
The reverse osmosis filtration is different due to the membrane present in it. What is a membrane? It is a thin film composite material, semi-permeable in nature. The membrane can get damaged easily by chlorine.
Therefore, the carbon filter in the osmosis system removes chlorine from the water before it reaches the membrane. It has a sediment pre-filter to protect the carbon filter in it.
The three components present in the triple layer water filtration to make Starbucks water unique are:
- TFC (thin film composite) material
- Carbon filter
- Sediment filter
How are these used in the different stages of filtration?
3-Stages Reverse Osmosis Filtration System
Did you know that various tests and research have reported up to a 99% decrease in arsenic levels when using RO devices?
Every Starbucks store has an RO filtration system. It is a system where water is filtered 3-times to remove impurities.
So, what are the three stages in the process of water filtration?
1. Pre-Filtration Stage
In the pre-filtration stage, the sediment filter is used.
It removes dirt, rust, silt, and other suspended matter from the water. Apart from protecting the carbon filter from degrading, this stage also improves the taste and appearance of the water.
2. Chlorine and Chemical Filtration Stage
This stage of reverse osmosis filters chemicals and chlorine present in the water with the help of an activated carbon filter. The chlorine and chloramine removal helps condition the water for the final filtration stage.
3. Organic/Inorganic Compound Removal Stage
This is the most effective stage. The reverse osmosis membrane eliminates the inorganic and organic compounds from the water.
From aluminum, copper, and plastics to lead, nuclear wastes, fluoride, and heavy metals, reverse osmosis membrane eliminates these impurities and successfully disinfects water.
Did you know tap water has total dissolved solids (TDS) of 100-200mg/l?
The third and final stage of reverse osmosis filtration diminishes the impurities in the water to a minimal 0.0001 or 1/10000 of a micron.
The strict water filtration process at Starbucks makes its water crystal clear and worthy of satisfying the thirst of all.
Ordinary Filters vs. Reverse Osmosis Filtration
The sediment and dirt particles in water are physically screened by up to one micron in ordinary filters.
As the water flows through the ordinary filter, the dissolved chemicals and particles are left behind in the filter and its surfaces, resulting in water plugging.
In reverse osmosis filtration, the polymer membrane removes the salt and dissolved chemicals and breaks them down to the molecular level.
No ordinary filter can do so. RO filtration lets the pure water pass through the membrane and the feed water pass through the surface of the membrane.
It helps drain the impurities from the surface of the membrane and keeps it contaminant free.
In simple words:
- Ordinary filters use analytical techniques to separate solids from liquids. However, reverse osmosis uses a semi-permeable membrane for separation.
- Ordinary filter pass through a filter medium under vacuum or gravity. Reverse osmosis uses pressure application from one side of the membrane.
- Filter paper is the filter medium in ordinary filtration. A partially permeable membrane is used to filter in the RO filtration system.
- Ordinary filters are primarily for laboratory use and, at times, used for industrial purposes. In comparison, reverse osmosis is for industrial purposes only though it can be used for laboratory purposes if required.
Can You Get Starbucks Water at Home?
Are you struggling with ordinary water available on taps? Do you wish to get Starbucks water delivered to your doorstep?
Tap water is safe, and EPA does an excellent job of making it worthy of drinking. But, the Starbucks purifying technique is far ahead of regular tap water or filters.
Your home water can taste as good as Starbucks by installing a three-stage RO filtration system. With 3-stage filtration, you get pure and odor-free refreshing water free from all contaminants and water-borne diseases.
Summary
There’s no need to rush to Starbucks whenever you feel thirsty to enjoy the unique water taste.
Get the same taste at home by installing the triple RO filtration system. Now, your homemade coffee can also taste great when you use the 3-stage reverse osmosis filtered water.
The secret to Starbucks’ unique water taste is out. Why wait? Get one at home and quench your thirst at your earliest convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Starbucks Filter Its Tap Water?
Starbucks filters all kinds of water used in its retail outlets.
Filtration is a vital procedure followed by Starbucks water from the brewer to the espresso machine and the water tower. There are different combinations of water filtration, and every process varies from store to store.
Does Starbucks Use Water for Coffee? Is It Free?
Starbucks’ water is free, but you can buy bottled water at Starbucks as well.
They use filtered water to make coffee, and it is probably safer than any bottled water you purchase in the market. Next time you order coffee, do not forget to ask for a glass of iced water.
