Calpis is a very popular drink in Japan, a very special drink. Presentation:
Calpis is unknown in France, popular in Japan
Calpis カルピス is a drink made of water, milk powder and lactic acid that is non-alcoholic. It is very popular in Japan and you can easily find it in beverage vending machines. It is a drink which is sold in Japan since 1919. It is not known in France, but in Japan it is omnipresent, you can find it absolutely everywhere! If you are curious, you will find it on the internet, in some Asian grocery stores and if you go to a real Japanese restaurant in France, it will propose it as an aperitif on the menu.
The taste of Calpis
Its taste is particular, even new, the taste is close to a yoghurt diluted in sweet water and the whole thing is carbonated. At the beginning, it is a strange and new taste and the more you taste it the more you get used to it. It is a drink that is quite refreshing.
In general, either you love it or you hate it, it depends on your taste! If you have the chance to be in Japan, try it! The first time I tasted it, I had the feeling to drink a Doliprane! ha ha! A friend of ours on the other hand really liked it! Others have the impression to drink chocolates after height…
Calpis is also sold as a powder that you dilute in water. In Japan, you can find it in ready-made drink dispensers under the name Calpis water カルピスウォーター1 , and in a carbonated version under the name Calpis Soda カルピスソーダ2 . You can also find it in other countries under the name Calpico 3 .
Its use and its derivatives
Calpis is used as a syrup to flavour ice creams kakigori. Calpis is used as a syrup to flavour ice cream, crushed ice very popular in the summer in Japan, or used in cocktails. It adapts to the tastes of the moment and it is possible to find different flavors: mango, melon, strawberry, grape, orange, peach, lychee,… Some are flavored with purely Japanese ingredients like matcha green tea or Satsuma tangerine, mikan. There is a regional range with for example the pineapple calpis which is only found in Okinawa (a small island in the south of Japan).
Variation of calpis in Japanese cuisine
As we say, Calpis is a must in Japan. There is a huge number of variations of Calpis. It would be futile to try to list them all, but here are some that you will find quite easily in Japan
Creamy breads :
From melon pan, small light buns.
Official website and photo sources used in this article in English : https://www.asahisoftdrinks.com/brand/calpis/