, sold in North America as Calpico, is a Japanese probiotic milk beverage manufactured by , a subsidiary of Asahi Breweries headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo. The beverage has a light, somewhat milky, and slightly acidic flavour, similar to plain or vanilla-flavoured yogurt or Yakult. Its ingredients include water, dry milk, and lactic acid, and it is produced by lactic 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 , or its carbonated variety, known as , is also available. It is also used to flavour kakigōri and as a mixer for cocktails and chūhai.

History

thumb|250x250px|Kaiun Mishima, the original creator of Calpis

The founder of Calpis, , travelled to Mongolia in 1902, encountering a traditional cultured milk product known as airag (called kumis throughout most of Central Asia). The active ingredient in airag, responsible for its unique flavour, is lactic acid produced by lactobacilli bacteria. After the airag he consumed helped return his digestion to normal, Mishima was inspired to develop his own version.

Daigomi, launched in 1916, was made by culturing cream with lactic acid bacteria. However, it was discontinued because of two major flaws: the amount of cream extracted from milk was inadequate for mass production, and there was a surplus of skimmed milk created as a by-product. Afterwards, Mishima created Daigoso by culturing skimmed milk with lactic acid bacteria. However, the product was also discontinued because of poor sales. His last unsuccessful attempt was Lacto Caramel, a product that contained live lactic acid bacteria. It was discontinued because the product melted during the summer.

Calpis was created by chance when Mishima added sugar to Daigoso and left it overnight. It was officially released on July 7, 1919, at the price of ¥1.60 per bottle. Calpis initially had the image of being a special drink, being reserved for special occasions or gifts; it was only around 1965 that it began to be treated as a normal beverage in ordinary households. In 1973, sales plummeted after the price was raised.

See also

  • Actimel
  • Fermented milk products
  • List of fermented foods
  • Milkis
  • Pocari Sweat
  • Wahaha

References

  • Calpis official website
  • Calpis Official website (Archive)
  • Asahi Group Company Listings