Uliveto
Uliveto is a lightly sparkling natural mineral water from the Parco Termale di Uliveto in Vicopisano, Pisa province, Tuscany. The spring was first described in Italian medical literature in 1835 for its attributed digestive properties; the first chemical analysis was conducted in 1868 and the first bottling plant established in 1910. The brand is now owned by CoGeDi (Compagnia Generale di Distribuzione), which also owns Rocchetta.
Mineral composition
| mg/L | |
|---|---|
| Calcium | 175 |
| Magnesium | 26 |
| Sodium | 64 |
| Sulfate | 92 |
| Chloride | 74 |
| Bicarbonate | 578 |
Compositions can vary by season and source. Read our methodology.
Mineral character
Uliveto is heavily mineralised for a lightly sparkling water. Calcium is 175 mg/L, magnesium 26 mg/L, sodium 64 mg/L, sulphate 92 mg/L, chloride 74 mg/L, and bicarbonate 578 mg/L. Hardness is 544 mg/L as CaCO₃ and TDS is approximately 1,016 mg/L. Unlike most Italian still waters, Uliveto has elevated sodium, sulphate, and chloride alongside its high bicarbonate, a profile consistent with thermal mineralisation rather than simple limestone dissolution.
Documented use and context
The 1835 description of the Uliveto spring in Italian medical literature predates the formal bottling operation by 75 years and is among the earlier documented uses of a Tuscan spring water in a culinary-therapeutic context. The attribution of digestive properties in that literature is consistent with the water’s high bicarbonate content, though the clinical basis for such claims was not formalised.
Use-case suitability
- CoffeeAppears in blends for London, Rao Ideal Coffee, SCA Ideal Coffee, and Tokyo.
- TeaAppears in blends for British Black Tea.
- BrewingUsed neat for NEIPA. Also appears in blends for Dortmund, Dublin, Edinburgh, and Kölsch (Cologne).
- BakingAppears in blends for Montreal Bagel, Neapolitan Pizza (Naples), New York Bagel, and Paris Baguette.
- AquariumAppears in blends for African Cichlids, Axolotl, and General Community Tropical.
- HorticultureNot used in any current horticulture recipe. Hardness 544 mg/L is above the 12–54 mg/L range of these targets.
Used in these recipes
African Cichlids
Lake Malawi / Tanganyika
20% in blend
IT
Axolotl
Lake Xochimilco
18% in blend
IT
British Black Tea
British Black Tea, GB
15% in blend
IT
Dortmund
Dortmund, DE
39% in blend
IT
Dublin
Dublin, IE
26% in blend
IT
Edinburgh
Edinburgh, UK
60% in blend
IT
General Community Tropical
Mixed freshwater
17% in blend
IT
Kölsch (Cologne)
Kölsch (Cologne), DE
71% in blend
IT
London
London, UK
38% in blend
IT
Montreal Bagel
Montreal Bagel, CA
27% in blend
IT
Neapolitan Pizza (Naples)
Neapolitan Pizza (Naples), IT
37% in blend
IT
NEIPA
NEIPA, US
neat
IT
New York Bagel
New York Bagel, US
15% in blend
IT
Paris Baguette
Paris Baguette, FR
16% in blend
IT
Rao Ideal Coffee
Rao Ideal Coffee, XX
14% in blend
IT
SCA Ideal Coffee
SCA Ideal Coffee, XX
16% in blend
IT
Tokyo
Tokyo, JP
16% in blend
IT
Where to buy
IT
Esselunga, Conad, Coop IT, Carrefour IT, Lidl IT
€0.35-0.55 per litre
Available across Italian supermarkets including Esselunga, Conad, Coop IT, Carrefour IT, and Lidl IT. As of March 2026.