The flavorings in the pods are allegedly manufactured from natural tastes that are taken from plants, fruits, and spices, claims Air Up. The business stated that certain elements "relate to Air Up's [intellectual property] are proprietary." The brand's website now offers 15 varieties, ranging from apple to basil-lemon to orange-vanilla. You may get three packs of your favorite smell or variety packs of scents that include five of the most popular scents. A few flavor pods are also included in each water bottle beginning set. Due to individual tastes, no smell in our samples emerged as the clear winner. According to one reviewer who loves watermelon-flavored beverages, the watermelon pod smelled good.

Air Up Compatible Food Grade Flavor Pods and Bottles: Sipperment

What is Air Up?

Air Up, the brainchild of Lena Jüngst and Tim Jäger, emerged from their exploration of Neurogastronomy: How the Brain Creates Flavor and Why It Matters, a book authored by neuroscientist Gordon M. Shepherd. This influential book challenges conventional beliefs by emphasizing the dominant role of the sense of smell in flavor perception. Empowered by Shepherd's insights, Jüngst and Jäger embarked on a mission to breathe life into their inaugural Air Up prototype, driven by the mission of "Uniting Neuroscience with Innovative Design." Their objective? To contribute to global well-being by addressing the issue of inadequate hydration, a common aspect of poor nutrition. This avant-garde water bottle accommodates 15 distinctive Air Up flavor pods and is offered in two variations—plastic and stainless steel—both of which can be tailored with a spectrum of vibrant accessories.

Air Up Compatible Food Grade Flavor Pods and Bottles: Sipperment

How Air Up works

Air Up orchestrates a sensory symphony that redefines how we taste things. Grounded in the science of olfaction, it leverages our olfactory receptors, which can detect an astonishing 1 trillion scents. Air Up explains:

"Retronasal smelling is our secret to success, allowing us to infuse plain water with the essence of flavor. Our bottles enable you to inhale 'flavored' air from our pods with every sip. This 'flavored' air is translated into taste by your nasal receptors, making your water experience incredibly flavorful without adding any actual flavors. It's akin to savoring through your sense of smell."

With Air Up, you'll embark on a journey where scent becomes a gateway to an entirely new taste dimension.

Master the art of flavor infusion with Air Up by following these expert steps. Begin by filling your water bottle to the capacity line and attaching the mouthpiece with the straw. Gently position the circular pod over the mouthpiece, verifying activation. As you take a sip, marvel at the scented air bubbles traveling through the straw, creating an enticing bubbling sound and taste sensation.

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

How long do Air Up pods last?

According to Air Up, each of its pods is engineered to enhance approximately 1.3 gallons of water with captivating 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. It is crucial to maintain the pods in their original packaging, as they are not washable and should only be unsealed just before attaching them to your water bottle.

Our findings indicated that if the pods remained attached to the water bottle for an extended duration without use, the fragrance gradually dissipated, leading to a subdued "flavor" for the water. Our experts, considering the per-pod cost and the current online-only purchasing option, 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 live up to their claims? Our comprehensive evaluation revealed that they do indeed succeed in infusing water with the flavors of their pods. One of the standout flavors was mango-passionfruit, offering a delightful and juicy "flavor" experience. However, the orange-vanilla pod received mixed reviews, with some perceiving it as somewhat artificial.

As we delved into the data and feedback from our testers, it became evident that personal preferences played a significant role. Scent perception varies from person to person, influenced by individual associations and differences in olfactory sensitivity. Some testers didn't find themselves drawn to the Air Up water bottle after testing, while others hailed it as an innovative addition to their daily hydration routine.

One tester remarked, "Inhaling the scent didn't enhance the flavor for me," while another shared, "This is no gimmick. On days when I struggle to consume plain water at home, the Air Up bottle makes it more enjoyable." Ultimately, your experience with Air Up depends on how you engage with and appreciate scents.

Air Up Compatible Food Grade Flavor Pods and Bottles: Sipperment

Additional Lab and tester notes

Join us in uncovering the durability, weight, and comfort attributes of Air Up water bottles. We've meticulously examined the lightweight plastic version and contrasted it with the substantial stainless steel alternative in terms of weight.

Through comprehensive drop testing, we've assessed how well both materials can withstand multiple drops onto hard concrete surfaces, highlighting their respective strengths and weaknesses. These practical tests provide valuable insights into their durability.

Our leak testing procedures focused on evaluating the bottles' ability to maintain a watertight seal when placed horizontally with tightly secured lids. Explore the variations in leak resistance between the plastic and stainless steel models.

Furthermore, we delved into the comfort aspect of the Air Up water bottle, particularly focusing on the mouthpiece and ease of sipping. Cleaning and maintenance considerations, including the advantages of the stainless steel model, are also discussed.

Air Up Compatible Food Grade Flavor Pods and Bottles: Sipperment

So, is the Air Up water bottle worth it?

Is the Air Up water bottle the right choice for your hydration needs? This unique bottle is tailored for those who savor the taste of flavored water and find it more enjoyable to meet their daily hydration goals with a burst 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, suggests, "Individuals who struggle to stay properly hydrated may find this bottle beneficial, particularly those who consider plain water uninspiring." If you have a hectic lifestyle and don't have the time to infuse your water with fresh ingredients, Air Up might be the solution you've been seeking.

However, it's essential to consider that the Air Up water bottle may not be suitable for everyone, especially those who consume substantial quantities of water and require a larger bottle capacity (the plastic version holds 22 ounces, while the stainless steel version holds 28 ounces). As one tester remarked, "I wish it came in different sizes to reduce the need for frequent refills."

Budget-conscious individuals should also take note, as regularly purchasing flavor pods can impact your finances. A three-pack of pods, which flavors approximately 3.9 gallons of water, may become an ongoing expense. Nevertheless, with seven out of 11 testers giving Air Up their recommendation, it appears to have garnered widespread approval.

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