Pedras Salgadas
Pedras Salgadas is sourced from springs in the town of Pedras Salgadas, in the Trás-os-Montes region of northern Portugal. The name means “salty rocks” and refers to the naturally mineral-rich springs, which were known in Roman times and developed as a formal spa destination in the 19th century. The springs gained royal recognition in 1884 when Queen Maria Pia visited. Commercial bottling began in 1893, extending the spa’s waters to a national audience. The water takes approximately 10 years to percolate through granite formations, during which it acquires its mineral load and natural carbonation from dissolved volcanic CO₂. Pedras Salgadas is one of a very small number of commercially bottled naturally carbonated mineral waters. The brand is owned by the Super Bock Group (formerly Unicer), which acquired it in 2002; the Carlsberg Group holds a minority stake in Super Bock Group. Pedras Salgadas holds natural mineral water status.
Mineral composition
| mg/L | |
|---|---|
| Calcium | 102 |
| Magnesium | 24 |
| Sodium | 577 |
| Sulfate | 6 |
| Chloride | 30 |
| Bicarbonate | 1983 |
Compositions can vary by season and source. Read our methodology.
Mineral character
Pedras Salgadas is a heavily mineralised, sodium-bicarbonate dominated naturally sparkling water. Bicarbonate is by far the highest ion at 1,983 mg/L; sodium is 577 mg/L; calcium is 102 mg/L; magnesium is 24 mg/L; chloride is 30 mg/L; sulphate is 6 mg/L. Total hardness is 354 mg/L as CaCO₃; alkalinity is 1,626 mg/L as CaCO₃. TDS is approximately 2,807 mg/L. The dominant feature is the bicarbonate-sodium axis: alkalinity far exceeds hardness, a pattern shared with the Vichy basin waters. What distinguishes Pedras Salgadas from French Vichy-type waters is the natural carbonation and the higher calcium content (102 mg/L versus Vichy Catalán’s 14 mg/L).
Documented use and context
Pedras Salgadas’ naturally carbonated character and high bicarbonate have historically been associated with digestive properties, a claim rooted in its 19th-century spa tradition. The bottling of the water from 1893 was a direct extension of the spa’s therapeutic reputation. This is a historically documented use, not a modern clinical or culinary attribution.
Use-case suitability
- CoffeeNot used in any current coffee recipe. Hardness 354 mg/L is above the 9–266 mg/L range of these targets.
- TeaNot used in any current tea recipe. Hardness 354 mg/L is above the 37–59 mg/L range of these targets.
- BrewingNot used in any current brewing recipe, but hardness 354 mg/L sits within the 26–922 mg/L range typical for these targets.
- BakingNot used in any current baking recipe, but hardness 354 mg/L sits within the 46–390 mg/L range typical for these targets.
- AquariumNot used in any current aquarium recipe. Hardness 354 mg/L is above the 35–212 mg/L range of these targets.
- HorticultureNot used in any current horticulture recipe. Hardness 354 mg/L is above the 12–54 mg/L range of these targets.
Where to buy
PT
Continente, Pingo Doce, Auchan PT
€0.30 per litre
Pedras Salgadas is available across Portugal at Continente, Pingo Doce, and Auchan Portugal, typically approximately €0.30 (as of March 2026). It is the leading sparkling water brand in Portugal. Availability outside Portugal is limited. Sold as naturally sparkling.