- Calpis
nihongo|Calpis|カルピス|Karupisu is a
Japan ese uncarbonatedsoft drink , manufactured by nihongo|Calpis Co., Ltd.|カルピス株式会社|Karupisu Kabushiki-gaisha , headquartered in Shibuya,Tokyo .The beverage has a light, somewhatmilk y, and slightlyacid icflavor , similar to plain or vanilla-flavoredyogurt . Its ingredients includewater ,nonfat dry milk, andlactic acid , and is produced bylactic acid fermentation .The drink is sold as a concentrate which is mixed with water or sometimes milk just before consumption. A pre-diluted version known as Calpis Water (カルピスウォーター), or its carbonated variety, known as Calpis Soda(カルピスソーダ), are also available. It is also used to flavour
kakigori (shaved ice dessert) and as a mixer for cocktails andchuhai . In English-speaking countries the beverage is sometimes called "Calpico," because "Calpis" may sound like "Cow Piss".It was first marketed on
July 7 1919 . It quickly became popular in pre-war Japan as its concentrated form meant it kept well without refrigeration. Thepolka dot packaging used to be white dots against a blue background until the colours were inverted in 1953. It was originally themed on theMilky Way , which is in reference to the Japanese festival oftanabata on July 7, a traditional observation seen as the start of the summer. Calpis was first sold on this day.Variations
There are many
fruit flavoured variations. These variations include, but are not limited to, strawberry, grape,matcha , guava, mango, lychee, pineapple (available in Okinawa only), orange,mikan (Japanese tangerine), melon, peach, aloe, and with cream. Recently, Calpis is available in an apple flavored "morning blend," a 70% calorie reduced version with calcium, and also "The Premium Calpis," an extra-condensed pre-mixed version of the original Calpis water. In Japan and Taiwan you can get alcoholic versions of many Calpis drinks like "Calpis Sour" and "Calpis Bartime," a pre-made fruit flavored cocktail. Normal Calpico soda has a similar flavor to green cordial.The company produces a variety of other drinks ranging from canned coffee to more nutritious yogurt drinks like "Gun Gun Gurt." They also put out non-beverage products such as "Calpis butter" and "Calpis vinegar." Calpis Co. Ltd. is the Japanese distributor for
Welch's juice products andEvian bottled water. There is a Calpis candy that features the same blue and white color scheme.Names
The name "Calpis" was actually constructed as a
portmanteau , by combining "cal" from "calcium " and "pis" from Sanskrit "sarpis" (good taste).Trivia
*Calpis was a major sponsor for the first few years of what became known as the "
World Masterpiece Theater " anime series.
*The Himalayan cat owned byRyoma Echizen in the "Prince of Tennis " anime and manga series, Karupin, gets his name from the Calpis drink.
*Calpis Milk is the name of a Song made by Kazuma Endou, ex Siam Shade.ee also
*
Ajinomoto - affiliate company of Calpis
*Pocari Sweat External links
* [http://www.calpico.com/ CALPICO official web site ]
* [http://www.calpis.co.jp/english/ Official web site ]
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