Information AboutCarbonation |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT CARBONATION | |
| chemical processes | |
| carbonated drinks | |
| brewing | |
| SHOPPER'S DELIGHT | |
|
Carbonation occurs when Carbon Dioxide is Dissolved in Water or an Aqueous Solution . This process is generally represented by the following reaction, where water and gaseous carbon dioxide react to form a dilute solution of Carbonic Acid . : This process yields the "fizz" to Carbonated Water and sparkling Mineral Water , the head to Beer , and the cork pop and bubbles to Champagne and Sparkling Wine . NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL CARBONATION Carbonation can occur as a result of natural processes: when Yeast Ferments dissolved sugars sealed in a pressure-tolerant bottle or keg; when underground Volcanic carbon dioxide carbonates well water; or when rainwater passes through limestone into a cave and forms a Stalactite . Or it can be done artificially by dissolving carbon dioxide under pressure into the liquid. Sometimes natural carbonation is called ''conditioning'' while the term ''carbonation'' is reserved for the artificial process. USES In many consumer beverages such as Soda Pop or Soft Drinks (arguably the most recognized example is Coca-Cola ), carbonation is used to give "bite". Contrary to popular belief, the fizzy taste is caused by the dilute carbonic acid inducing a slight burning sensation, and is not caused by the presence of bubbles. This can be shown by drinking a fizzy drink in a Hyperbaric Chamber at the same pressure as the beverage. This gives much the same taste, but the bubbles are completely absent. Carbonation is sometimes used for reasons other than consumption, to lower the PH (raise the hydrogen ion concentration) of a water solution, for example. BREWING In Homebrewing overcarbonation can be dangerous, resulting in gushing -- or even exploding -- bottles. Adding priming sugar or Malt extract at bottling time to beer that has had its fermentable sugar content totally consumed is the safest approach to carbonation. Exceeding recommended levels of priming sugar for a given recipe is dangerous, as is using inappropriate bottles or improper capping methods. CARBONATED BEVERAGES Carbonated beverages are beverages which contain dissolved Carbon Dioxide . The process of dissolving carbon dioxide in water is called Carbonation . Carbon dioxide may be naturally occurring in the beverage from Fermentation or a mineral source or be artificially added. Examples of carbonated beverages are:
SEE ALSO |