What is Air Up? It's the brainchild of Lena Jüngst and Tim Jäger, two enterprising German university students who, during their academic journey, explored the pages of Neurogastronomy: How the Brain Creates Flavor and Why It Matters, a book authored by neuroscientist Gordon M. Shepherd. This influential book challenges established beliefs by emphasizing the paramount role of the sense of smell in shaping flavor perception. Inspired by Shepherd's insights, Jüngst and Jäger embarked on a mission to bring their inaugural Air Up prototype to life, guided by the principle of "Merging Neuroscience with Innovative Design." Their ultimate objective? To contribute to global well-being by addressing the issue of inadequate hydration, often associated with poor nutrition. This cutting-edge water bottle accommodates 15 distinct Air Up flavor pods and is available in two variations—plastic and stainless steel—both of which can be customized with a spectrum of vibrant accessories.

Air Up Compatible Food Grade Flavor Pods and Bottles: Sipperment

How Air Up works

Air Up revolutionizes the way we experience taste by tapping into our olfactory receptors. These tiny sensors, capable of detecting over 1 trillion scents, play a pivotal role in our sense of taste. Air Up explains:

"Retronasal smelling is the key to our innovation, enabling us to infuse plain water with flavor. Our bottles allow you to consume 'flavored' air from our pods with every sip. Your nasal receptors translate this 'flavored' air into taste, enhancing your water without actually adding any flavor. It's like tasting with your sense of smell."

With Air Up, you can savor scents as flavors through the magic of retronasal olfaction.

To elevate your hydration experience, follow these simple steps: Fill your water bottle to the capacity line, then attach the mouthpiece with the straw. Place the circular pod over the mouthpiece, push it into place, and ensure it's activated. When you take a sip, scented air bubbles travel through the straw, producing a delightful bubbling sound, and voilà—your senses perceive it as taste.

Air Up Compatible Food Grade Flavor Pods and Bottles: Sipperment

How we tested Air Up

In the world of water bottles, the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab is renowned for its comprehensive evaluations. Over time, we've scrutinized numerous bottles, weighing their performance, durability, and user-friendliness. However, when the Air Up entered our radar, we knew we had something unique to explore.

Our formidable 11-person testing panel, comprised of consumers, dietitians, kitchen equipment experts, engineers, and chemists, embarked on a mission to gather extensive data. This endeavor yielded over a hundred data points and invaluable feedback. From assessing taste perceptions to gauging comfort during usage and monitoring shifts in hydration habits, we left no stone unturned.

Within our Lab, we conducted meticulous drop and leak tests on both plastic and stainless steel Air Up models. Our scrutiny extended to nine distinct flavor pods, meticulously rating them based on flavor quality, durability, and intensity. We also evaluated the water bottle's ease of use, considering factors such as filling, carrying, drinking, and cleaning.

Air Up Compatible Food Grade Flavor Pods and Bottles: Sipperment

What is in the flavor pods?

Air Up's flavor pods are a reflection of their commitment to natural ingredients. These pods are meticulously crafted using natural flavors extracted from plants, fruits, and spices, while specific intellectual property details are kept confidential.

With 15 flavors available on their website, ranging from classic apple to intriguing basil-lemon to indulgent orange-vanilla, Air Up offers a diverse range of options. You can explore these scents through variety packs or stock up on your preferred flavors with three-packs. Additionally, each water bottle starter set includes an assortment of flavor pods.

In our testing, personal preferences played a significant role, with no single scent emerging as a unanimous favorite. Testers provided insights into scent strength and their flavor preferences.

Air Up Compatible Food Grade Flavor Pods and Bottles: Sipperment

How long do Air Up pods last?

Air Up asserts that each of its pods can enhance approximately 1.3 gallons of water with delightful scents. Furthermore, the company recommends checking the "best before" date on each pod, as the scent's intensity may diminish over time, delivering the most satisfying experience when the pod is freshly opened. Keeping the pods in their original packaging is essential, as they cannot be cleaned and should only be unsealed just before attaching them to your water bottle.

In our investigations, we noted that if the pods remained affixed to the water bottle for an extended duration without being used, the fragrance gradually faded, resulting in a milder "flavor" for the water. Given the per-pod price and the current online-exclusive availability, our experts expressed a desire for pods with a more prolonged lifespan.

Air Up Compatible Food Grade Flavor Pods and Bottles: Sipperment

Does the Air Up water bottle work?

Do Air Up water bottles truly deliver on their promise? Our thorough evaluation confirmed that they successfully infuse water with the flavors of their pods. Among the flavors we tested, the mango-passionfruit pod impressed with its juicy and delightful "flavor." However, opinions on the orange-vanilla pod were divided, with some perceiving it as somewhat artificial.

As we sifted through the data and feedback from our testers, it became clear that individual preferences and scent perception played a significant role in the experience. Scent perception is a highly personal matter, influenced by individual associations and the uniqueness of each person's sense of smell. Some testers did not foresee incorporating the Air Up water bottle into their daily routine after testing, while others regarded it as an innovative addition.

One tester stated, "Inhaling the scent didn't enhance the flavor for me," while another commented, "This is no gimmick. On days when I find plain water unappealing, the Air Up bottle makes hydration more enjoyable." Ultimately, your interaction with Air Up hinges on your sensory experience.

Air Up Compatible Food Grade Flavor Pods and Bottles: Sipperment

Additional Lab and tester notes

In our comprehensive testing of the Air Up water bottle, we've uncovered essential insights about its weight, drop resistance, leak prevention, comfort, and ease of cleaning. From the lightweight plastic version to the heftier stainless steel model, we assessed their weight differences.

When it comes to drop testing, we examined how the plastic and stainless steel bottles fared when dropped from a height onto hard concrete. The results revealed their resilience, with each material type displaying its unique strengths and weaknesses.

Our leak testing scrutinized the bottles' ability to remain watertight when laid on their sides with tightly secured lids. The outcomes varied between the plastic and stainless steel variants, providing valuable information for potential buyers.

Additionally, we explored the comfort factor of the Air Up water bottle, evaluating its mouthpiece and ease of sipping. The convenience of cleaning these bottles also came under our scrutiny, with a focus on the stainless steel model's advantages.

Air Up Compatible Food Grade Flavor Pods and Bottles: Sipperment

So, is the Air Up water bottle worth it?

The Air Up water bottle poses a question: is it a worthwhile investment? This distinctive bottle caters to those who savor the taste of flavored water and find it more enticing to meet their hydration goals with a dash of flavor.

Stefani Sassos, M.S., R.D.N., C.S.O., C.D.N., NASM-CPT, the Nutrition Lab Director at the Good Housekeeping Institute, believes, "Individuals who struggle to stay adequately hydrated would appreciate this bottle, especially those who deem plain water uninspiring." If you lead a busy life and lack the time to infuse your water with fresh ingredients, Air Up could be the solution you've been seeking.

However, it's important to note that the Air Up water bottle may not suit everyone, particularly those who consume large quantities of water and require a more capacious bottle (the plastic version holds 22 ounces, while the stainless steel version holds 28 ounces). As one tester remarked, "I wish it were available in different sizes to reduce the need for frequent refills."

Consider your budget as well, as regularly purchasing flavor pods can add up in cost. A three-pack of pods, which flavors approximately 3.9 gallons of water, may impact your finances. Despite these considerations, seven out of 11 testers recommended Air Up, indicating its appeal to the majority.

Air Up Compatible Food Grade Flavor Pods and Bottles: Sipperment

ref: Air Up Water Bottle Review: We Tested the Water Bottle That "Flavors" Water Via Scent