Monchique
Alkaline Water
Monchique is a natural mineral water from the Serra de Monchique, a small igneous mountain range in the Algarve, southern Portugal. The source is associated with alkaline syenite rock, which imparts the water’s unusual chemistry. The brand is commercially bottled in the municipality of Monchique.
Mineral composition
| mg/L | |
|---|---|
| Calcium | 1 |
| Magnesium | 0 |
| Sodium | 105 |
| Sulfate | 59 |
| Chloride | 40 |
| Bicarbonate | 106 |
Compositions can vary by season and source. Read our methodology.
Mineral character
Monchique has an exceptional profile. Calcium is 1.1 mg/L, magnesium 0.05 mg/L, sodium 105 mg/L, sulphate 59 mg/L, chloride 39.6 mg/L, and bicarbonate 106 mg/L. Hardness is 3 mg/L as CaCO₃ — among the lowest in the TWD database. The defining characteristic is the naturally alkaline pH of 9.5, the highest recorded among naturally occurring commercial mineral waters. The low calcium and magnesium combined with elevated sodium reflect the alkaline igneous geology; the pH 9.5 is produced by sodium bicarbonate and sodium hydroxide chemistry in the syenite aquifer. This is a distinctive and unusual geological profile.
Use-case suitability
- CoffeeNot used in any current coffee recipe. Hardness 3 mg/L is below the 9–266 mg/L range of these targets, useful as a diluent.
- TeaNot used in any current tea recipe. Hardness 3 mg/L is below the 37–59 mg/L range of these targets, useful as a diluent.
- BrewingNot used in any current brewing recipe. Hardness 3 mg/L is below the 26–922 mg/L range of these targets, useful as a diluent.
- BakingNot used in any current baking recipe. Hardness 3 mg/L is below the 46–390 mg/L range of these targets, useful as a diluent.
- AquariumNot used in any current aquarium recipe. Hardness 3 mg/L is below the 35–212 mg/L range of these targets, useful as a diluent.
- HorticultureNot used in any current horticulture recipe. Hardness 3 mg/L is below the 12–54 mg/L range of these targets, useful as a diluent.
Where to buy
PT
Lidl PT, Auchan PT
€0.20 per litre
Available in Portugal and through specialist importers. As of March 2026.