What Does Calpico Taste Like?

Calpico is a Japanese soft drink that can be found in Asia, Europe, and the US. It’s made from rice, milk, and sugar. It is a drink that’s been around since 1919 and has an interesting history.

What Is Calpico?

The Japanese soft drink known as Calpis or Calpico is made up of milk, water, and lactic acid. It has a milky flavor like yogurt or Yakult light, but the acidity makes it stand out from the pack.

It is a popular Japanese drink typically served over shaved ice. Cocktails can be made with it, too!

Since Calpico could be stored without refrigeration for a long time without spoiling in its solid form, it quickly gained popularity in Japan. Calpico was traditionally consumed in Japan by diluting it with water.

There are many different Calpico flavors to choose from, including

• Original: This flavor is sweet and creamy with hints of milk and rice flavor.
• White Peach: This flavor is light and crisp with notes of peach and other fruit flavors.
• Mango: This flavor is sweet and tangy with notes of mango and other tropical fruits.
• Lychee: This flavor is light, fruity, and refreshingly sweet with notes of lychee fruit.
• Strawberry: This flavor is sweet, with notes of strawberry fruit reminiscent of fresh berries picked straight from the garden.
• Melon: This flavor is light, fruity, and refreshing, with notes of melon fruit that are reminiscent of fresh melons picked straight from the garden

Calpico also comes in various forms to enjoy it no matter your mood.

• Calpico Concentrate is a fresh and fruity drink that can be used to flavor any beverage. It’s perfect for mixing with juice, water, or just on its own.
• Calpico Soda is a carbonated version of Calpico Concentrate that makes it easy to add some fizz to your drink.
• Calpico Mini is an adorable little bottle of concentrated Calpico that is perfect for on-the-go!

Health Benefits Of Calpico

Calpico is often consumed with meals or as a dessert beverage. It has some health benefits that make it a healthy addition to your diet. Here are some of Calpico’s important health features

• Calpico contains probiotics which help boost the immune system and promote good digestion.
• It helps reduce inflammation by reducing low-grade chronic inflammation caused by poor diet choices or stress.
• Calpico contains Vitamin C, which helps improve skin tone by increasing collagen production in the body.
• Calpico contains Vitamin B6, which helps reduce anxiety by converting tryptophan into serotonin in the brain, helping you feel less anxious when drinking this beverage before bedtime.

Side Effects Of Calpico

Although Calpico is generally a safe drink, there are some things to keep in mind

Calpico may be hard on your teeth if you drink too much of it. This is especially true for carbonated Calpico drinks.

Drinking Calpico may cause cramps and diarrhea if you have a weak stomach. If you’re not used to drinking carbonated beverages, then drinking Calpico may cause your stomach upset.

This is because carbonation can cause gas bubbles in your intestines and make them expand, which can lead to cramping or diarrhea.

Drinking too much Calpico can lead to bloating, flatulence, and even indigestion. Carbonated drinks such as Calpico contain high levels of carbon dioxide, which causes the gas bubbles mentioned above that can lead to bloating and flatulence.

If these gas bubbles become trapped in your digestive tract over time, they could cause indigestion and other problems like reflux disease or heartburn.

How To Drink Calpico

Calpico is a popular Japanese beverage that’s made from sweetened rice milk. It’s a great option for anyone who’s looking for a tasty treat that doesn’t have any calories or fat.

It’s also free of caffeine, so it can be enjoyed by people who are sensitive to caffeine.

If you want to enjoy the sweet taste of Calpico, there are three ways to do so

• Add a splash of water to your bottle of Calpico and mix it up. This will dilute the taste and make it more palatable for you!
• Try adding a few drops of lemon juice or lime juice to your bottle of Calpico. This will give it just enough flavor to make it enjoyable—without taking away from the natural goodness that is Calpico!
• Make yourself a smoothie by combining Calpico with yogurt, fruit, or ice cream.

How Should The Calpico Concentrate Be Diluted?

Calpico and Calpico concentrate can be watered down to your liking depending on how strong you want the taste of Calpico to be.

You can use many ingredients to dilute Calpico, not just water. Milk, lemon juice, other fruit juices, yogurt drinks, and many more can be used to dilute it.

Your options are endless but will mainly be dependent on your preferences. 

If you want to dilute this with water, the recommended ratio is 1 part Calpico concentrate to 4 parts water. 

If you want to dilute it with milk, the recommended ratio is 1 part Calpico concentrate to 6 parts milk. But Calpico says that the best way to find your Golden ratio is to try different things until you find the right taste and flavor.

Calpico Uses

Calpico is an extremely versatile ingredient that can be used in various ways. Here are some of our favorite Calpico uses

Baked Goods

Add Calpico to your favorite muffin recipe for an extra burst of flavor and texture. For example, add 1/4 cup Calpico to our recipe for Strawberry-Banana Muffins!

Dips And Sauces

Calpico is an excellent addition to any dip or sauce you make, whether spicy or sweet. It’ll add a touch of tangy goodness that will leave your guests begging for more.

Cocktails

If you’re feeling bold and adventurous and want to mix up your cocktail routine, try adding Calpico instead of lemonade or soda water when making drinks like mojitos or rum punch.

Savory Dishes

Add a splash of Calpico to soups, stews, casseroles, and pasta sauces for an extra bit of tang!

RELATED: 17 Popular Japanese Appetizers

Does Calpico Need Refrigeration?

Calpico is a shelf-stable beverage, which means that it can be stored at room temperature without spoiling. This means you can keep it on the shelf in your pantry. 

When you open a bottle of Calpico, we recommend that you refrigerate the remaining contents right away. This will help prevent spoilage because it just tastes better cold.

Calpico’s Shelf Life

Calpico has a longer shelf life than most soft drinks because it is concentrated. However, its packaging will clearly state its expiration date.

The original Japanese Calpico concentrate usually has a shelf life of 9 months. Additionally, keep in mind that flavors and packaging affect the shelf life. 

Finally, carbonated Calpico sodas lose their fizziness once opened and should be kept in the refrigerator.

How To Tell If Calpico Is Bad

When it comes to Calpico, you must know what you’re looking for. If you think your Calpico is bad, there are a few things to look for

If the color of your Calpico is yellowish or brownish, that’s a sign that it’s gone bad. It should be white or very slightly yellow.

If there is a weird smell from your Calpico, something not quite right, you might want to throw it out. It should not have an off-putting scent. It should be a lightly sweetened milk drink with yogurt, and calcium carbonate added.

The texture of your Calpico will change when it goes bad. It’ll get thicker and more dense than usual so that it won’t flow through your straw as easily as before.

Calpico Vs. Yogurt

Calpico and yogurt are both fermented milk drinks that have been popular in Asia for centuries. While the drink is similar in many ways, there are a few key differences between the two that make them unique.

First of all, Calpico is more acidic than yogurt. This means it has a higher pH level and can be used to clean surfaces like porcelain or stone. Calpico also has more sodium than yogurt, making it ideal for use as a salt substitute in recipes.

On the other hand, yogurt has much more protein than Calpico (about 6 grams per 8-ounce serving). It also contains probiotics that help support healthy digestion.

Yogurt also has fewer calories per serving: only about 45 calories per 8-ounce cup compared to about 80 calories for the same amount of Calpico.

Calpico Vs. Yakult

Calpico also has more sugar than Yakult, about 26 grams per serving versus 10 grams for Yakult. The extra sugar isn’t bad for you, but if you’re trying to watch your weight or eat less sugar overall, Calpico might not be the best choice for you.

Calpico is harder to find in stores than to find Yakult. You might have seen Calpico at some point before, but if so, it was probably at an Asian grocery store or online market.

Yakult is probably your best bet if you want something more mainstream. You can find it almost anywhere these days.

The price differential between Calpico and Yakult is another factor to consider. Calpico is more expensive than Yakult. Calpico, on the other hand, comes in larger bottles than Yakult and is more difficult to find.

Finally, Calpico is available in a variety of flavors, including carbonated varieties.

Calpico Vs. Pocari

Calpico and Pocari are clear sodas with bubbles added during the manufacturing process. They taste slightly different, but they have similar flavors. Both are mild, fruity, and refreshing.

They can also be used as mixers in cocktails or with other ingredients like juice or milk.

While Calpico is more sugary than Pocari, it also has greater carbonation. Comparatively, it has a higher sodium content than Pocari. Vitamin C is included in its makeup as well. 

Pocari Sweat is made with electrolytes like sodium chloride, potassium chloride, and magnesium sulfate.

It’s also got some other ingredients like glucose syrup and citric acid that help make it taste good but won’t interfere with its main purpose: replenishing your body’s lost electrolytes after intense physical activity or exposure to heat or sunlight.

Nutrition Facts

Quick Table: Calpico Recipes

1. Yuzu-Calpico Fizz

Yuzu is a Japanese citrus fruit that has a delicious, tart flavor. Calpico is a classic Japanese soda that combines the sweet and sour taste of Calpico with the zesty flavor of yuzu.

When combined, they make an incredibly refreshing soda. This recipe adds club soda to create a fizzy drink that’s perfect for hot summer days!

Calories: 151

Total Preparation Time: 5 minutes

2. Creamy Lemonade With Calpico

This Creamy Lemonade with Calpico recipe is the perfect refreshing summer drink. It’s sweet and tart, and the strawberry Calpico adds a fun pop of flavor.

It’s also super easy to make! Just blend all of the ingredients, then add some ice cubes, and you’re done.

Calories: 157

Total Preparation Time: 15 minutes

RELATED: 12 Japanese Inspired Sides To Serve With Sushi

3. Strawberry Soju Cocktail

If you’ve never tried a cocktail made with Calpico, you’re missing out on a treat. It has a unique sweet-sour taste, making it the perfect complement to alcohol.

Mixed with vodka, the result is one of the most refreshing drinks you can make at home.

Calories: 239

Total Preparation Time: 2 minutes

Frequently Asked Questions 

Is Calpico A Juice?

Calpico is not a juice. It’s made by fermenting rice, soybeans, and water with the help of lactic acid bacteria. The resulting drink is then sweetened with sugar or high fructose corn syrup. 

Where To Get Calpico?

Calpico is a Japanese drink that can be difficult to find in the US. If you’re looking for it, here’s where to look:

• Japanese grocery stores 
• Asian food stores 
• Online marketplaces like Amazon or Walmart

Are Calpico Drinks Healthy?

Calpico is a Japanese drink made from yogurt, so it’s naturally high in calcium and protein, which makes it a great post-workout snack. Calpis is also low in calories so you can drink it guilt-free!

However, Calpico drinks contain quite a bit of sugar—about 4 grams per 8-ounce serving. That’s almost half the recommended daily allowance for added sugars for adults.

If you’re trying to cut back on added sugars or lose weight, you might want to look elsewhere for your beverage needs.

Ultimate Calpico Recipes To Taste

Calpico Has A Light, Slightly Sweet Taste That Is Similar To Lemonade. It Is Often Enjoyed As A Refreshing Beverage On Hot Summer Days.

Ingredients

• Yuzu-Calpico Fizz

• Creamy Lemonade With Calpico

• Strawberry Soju Cocktail

Directions

• Pick a recipe from the list above
• Click the recipe name and visit the website
• Collect the ingredients and cook the food
• Enjoy – don’t forget to leave a review

Recipe Video

• Author
• Recent Posts

Jess Smith

Hi, my name is Jess Smith, and I love cooking in my spare time. Around three years ago, I decided to give up my day job as a teacher to pursue my passion for food. While I have enjoyed sharing tips and tricks on Social Media, I have decided to expand my horizons through this blog.

Through this blog I hope to help others learn the basics and more intricate details of cooking. I know from personal experience how frustrating it can be to cook a meal, only to realize you are missing one ingredient from your list. This is why I love to write articles chatting readers through some great substitutes that can be used in an emergency.

I hope you will find this blog useful, and that it will help you to develop your culinary skills, to help you cook up a storm!

Latest posts by Jess Smith (see all)

• Top Main Differences Between Tagliatelle And Fettuccine Pasta - March 10, 2023
• The Main Differences Between Red And Green Jalapeno Peppers - March 10, 2023
• Perfect Griddle Cakes To Make Simply Delicious Recipes For The Meal - March 9, 2023