Calpis – The Summer Drink in Japan

In case you have never heard of Calpis, pronounced Karupisu in Japan, this is a milk-based drink that is highly appreciated in Japan. In other countries, it is marketed as Calpico , given that in English-speaking countries it would be translated as “cow urine”. However, Calpis and Calpico taste exactly the same .

This drink consists of skimmed milk to which yeast and lactic acid bacteria are added and allowed to ferment. Once fermented to a certain point, sugar is added to allow it to ferment again and finally become Calpis . Its flavor is very similar to sour yogurt or Yakult .

The Calpis drink, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2019, began to be marketed in concentrated form as it was a better way to keep it fresh without having to refrigerate it.

Being a concentrate, Calpis needs to be diluted with water. The company recommends 1 portion of Calpis concentrate and 3 of water, although the measurements are an approximate if one wants it more or less sweet. There are also presentations with carbonated water as Calpis Soda or already diluted so you can drink it right after buying it!

In many ways, Calpis has become “Japan’s summer drink” and over the years the company has come up with a wide variety of flavors to enjoy this drink, including flavors that are only seasonal like strawberry, melon, peach or tangerine!

And it is not only consumed as a drink but you can also pour it into the typical Japanese summer ice cream known as Kakigori or in that dessert of your choice! The same company offers recipes for drinks and cocktails. They even sell them as ice cream! We invite you to try them!