Vichy Catalán
Vichy Catalán is sourced from a thermal spring in Caldes de Malavella, in the comarca of La Selva, Girona province, Catalonia, Spain. The spring water rises at approximately 60°C and is naturally carbonated by volcanic CO₂ in the geological formation. In 1881, physician and surgeon Dr Modest Furest i Roca documented the mineral-medicinal properties of the spring and acquired the land. The first bottling plant opened in December 1889 and the brand was formally registered on 1 May 1890. Vichy Catalán holds a 40% market share of the Spanish sparkling water market. The brand remains independently owned by Grupo Vichy Catalán. Vichy Catalán holds natural mineral water status.
Mineral composition
| mg/L | |
|---|---|
| Calcium | 14 |
| Magnesium | 6 |
| Sodium | 1097 |
| Sulfate | 50 |
| Chloride | 584 |
| Bicarbonate | 2081 |
Compositions can vary by season and source. Read our methodology.
Mineral character
Vichy Catalán is one of the most heavily mineralised sparkling waters in the TWD database. Bicarbonate is the highest ion at 2,081 mg/L; sodium is 1,097 mg/L; chloride is 584 mg/L; sulphate is 50 mg/L; calcium is 14 mg/L; magnesium is 6 mg/L. Total hardness is 60 mg/L as CaCO₃; alkalinity is 1,707 mg/L as CaCO₃. TDS is approximately 2,900 mg/L. The defining features are the combination of very high bicarbonate and sodium with very high chloride: at 584 mg/L, chloride is the highest of any water in the database (Vichy Célestins has 227 mg/L; St-Yorre 329 mg/L). The hardness is very low relative to total mineralisation because calcium and magnesium are both minimal. Despite sharing a name origin with the French Vichy basin waters, Vichy Catalán’s profile is chemically distinct: the chloride level and the calcium-to-sodium ratio are different, reflecting a separate geology.
Use-case suitability
- CoffeeNot used in any current coffee recipe, but hardness 60 mg/L sits within the 9–266 mg/L range typical for these targets.
- TeaNot used in any current tea recipe. Hardness 60 mg/L is above the 37–59 mg/L range of these targets.
- BrewingNot used in any current brewing recipe, but hardness 60 mg/L sits within the 26–922 mg/L range typical for these targets.
- BakingNot used in any current baking recipe, but hardness 60 mg/L sits within the 46–390 mg/L range typical for these targets.
- AquariumNot used in any current aquarium recipe, but hardness 60 mg/L sits within the 35–212 mg/L range typical for these targets.
- HorticultureNot used in any current horticulture recipe. Hardness 60 mg/L is above the 12–54 mg/L range of these targets.
Where to buy
ES
Mercadona, Carrefour ES, El Corte Inglés, Lidl ES
€0.35 per litre
Vichy Catalán is widely available in Spain at Mercadona, Carrefour, El Corte Inglés, and Lidl, typically approximately €0.35 (as of March 2026). Also exported to some premium international markets and Spanish food specialists. Sold as naturally sparkling in glass and PET bottles.