The Japanese cuisine does not only offer a big variety of foods and dishes, it also includes various drinks that are typical for Japan. One of those drinks is called Calpis and will be the topic of today’s article.

Calpis (カルピス) is a Japanese uncarbonated soft drink, that was invented in Tokyo by the company Calpis Co. .This company is a subsidiary of Asahi, Japan’s biggest beverage enterprise. The beverage has a light, somewhat milky, and slightly acidic flavor, similar to plain or vanilla-flavored yoghurt. Its ingredients include water, milk and lactid acid , and is produced by fermentation. 

Primarily in North America, the name Calpis is changed to Calpico with カルピス in katakana either below or on the reverse side of the packaging. Rumors say that the name-change was made because Calpis sounds similar to cow piss in English. 

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, or its carbonated variety, known as Calpis soda are also available. It is also used to flavor shaved ice and as a mixer for cocktails.