Volvic
Volvic is sourced from the Clairvic spring in the Chaîne des Puys volcanic area of Auvergne, central France. The Chaîne des Puys-Limagne Fault is a UNESCO World Heritage site within the Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Natural Park. The spring was discovered in 1961 at a depth of approximately 100 metres. Rainwater percolates through layers of volcanic rock (basalt, trachyandesite, and volcanic scoria) above an impermeable granite basement, a process that shapes the water’s characteristically low mineral content. The French Ministry of Health designated the Clairvic spring as a natural mineral water in 1965. Volvic holds natural mineral water status. The brand is owned by Danone.
Mineral composition
| mg/L | |
|---|---|
| Calcium | 12 |
| Magnesium | 8 |
| Sodium | 12 |
| Sulfate | 8 |
| Chloride | 14 |
| Bicarbonate | 71 |
Compositions can vary by season and source. Read our methodology.
Mineral character
Volvic is a soft water with low, evenly distributed mineralisation. Bicarbonate is the highest ion at 71 mg/L, with calcium at 11.5 mg/L and magnesium at 8 mg/L giving a total hardness of 62 mg/L as CaCO₃. Sulphate (8.1 mg/L), chloride (13.5 mg/L), and sodium (11.6 mg/L) are all low. TDS is approximately 109 mg/L. No single ion dominates, and the overall profile is of a very lightly mineralised water. In the TWD database, it sits near the soft end of the spectrum, above Lauretana but well below most other European natural mineral waters.
Documented use and context
Volvic is one of the most frequently recommended bottled waters in UK specialty coffee forums. On the CoffeeForums.co.uk forum, it is consistently named alongside Tesco Ashbeck and Waitrose Essential as a suitable water for espresso machines, on the basis that its low mineral content reduces scale risk while providing enough mineral presence for extraction.
Bella Barista, a UK specialty coffee equipment retailer, recommends Volvic as one of three named bottled waters suitable for espresso machines (alongside Tesco Ashbeck and Waitrose Essential).
On the Home Barista forum (“Volvic - why?”), the water’s profile has been discussed in the context of espresso extraction, with contributors observing that its low hardness and low alkalinity place it close to the SCA’s recommended water quality range for brewed coffee (SCA Standard 310-2021, which recommends approximately 40 mg/L alkalinity). Volvic’s alkalinity of 58 mg/L as CaCO₃ sits within that range.
Use-case suitability
- CoffeeAppears in blends for Melbourne, Rao Ideal Coffee, and SCA Ideal Coffee.
- TeaAppears in blends for British Black Tea.
- BrewingNot used in any current brewing recipe, but hardness 62 mg/L sits within the 26–922 mg/L range typical for these targets.
- BakingAppears in blends for San Francisco Bread.
- AquariumUsed neat for General Community Tropical. Also appears in blends for African Cichlids, Axolotl, Betta Splendens, Blackwater Biotope, Discus, Neocaridina Shrimp, and Planted Tank (CO2).
- HorticultureAppears in blends for Orchids.
Used in these recipes
African Cichlids
Lake Malawi / Tanganyika
33% in blend
FR, UK
Axolotl
Lake Xochimilco
73% in blend
FR, UK
Betta Splendens
Freshwater tropical
67% in blend
FR
Blackwater Biotope
Rio Negro / Amazon
33% in blend
UK
British Black Tea
British Black Tea, GB
50% in blend
FR
Discus
Amazon basin
50% in blend
FR
General Community Tropical
Mixed freshwater
neat
FR, UK
Melbourne
Melbourne, AU
50% in blend
FR
Neocaridina Shrimp
Freshwater shrimp
50% in blend
FR
Orchids
Orchids, INTL
33% in blend
FR
Planted Tank (CO2)
Freshwater planted
50% in blend
FR
Rao Ideal Coffee
Rao Ideal Coffee, XX
92% in blend
FR
San Francisco Bread
San Francisco Bread, US
50% in blend
FR
SCA Ideal Coffee
SCA Ideal Coffee, XX
81% in blend
FR
Where to buy
UK
Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Asda, Morrisons
£0.50-0.80 per litre
FR
Carrefour, Leclerc, Auchan, Intermarché, Lidl FR
€0.35-0.55 per litre
Volvic is widely available in the UK at all major supermarkets (Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Asda, Morrisons) at approximately £0.50–0.80 for 1.5 L (as of March 2026). In France it is stocked by all major retailers at €0.35–0.55. Sold in still format in a range of sizes. A sparkling variant exists but is less commonly stocked in the UK.