Calpis: The charm and story of Japan's century-old lactic acid bacteria beverage brand

Mentioning "Calpis" (カルピス), many people may think of its unique taste of refreshing sweetness and slightly sourness, as well as the classic blue bottle. As one of Japan's most representative lactic acid bacteria beverage brands, Calpis has not only become a symbol of Japan's national beverage since its birth in 1919, but has also gradually entered the global market and become a classic memory in the hearts of many people.

However, in addition to being a beloved beverage, Calpis also has a rich brand history and cultural connotations. This article will comprehensively analyze the unique charm of this century-old brand from the aspects of Calpis' historical origins, product features, brand development, and the functions of its official website.

1. The historical origin of Calpis

The story of Calpis began in Tokyo, Japan in 1919. At that time, a businessman named Mishima Kaiun founded Calpis and launched this fermented beverage with lactic acid bacteria as the main ingredient. Initially, Calpis was named "Calpis", which came from the Sanskrit "Kalabasa" (meaning milk) and the Latin "Felis" (meaning happiness). Through this name, Calpis expressed its beautiful vision of bringing health and happiness to people.

At the beginning of the 20th century, Japanese society was in the process of rapid modernization, and people were paying more and more attention to health. Calpis quickly won the favor of consumers with its unique non-alcoholic formula and rich lactic acid bacteria. Especially in the hot summer, this refreshing and thirst-quenching drink has become a must-have drink at home and school.

As time goes by, Calpis continues to launch new products and expand its international market. Today, Calpis has become an important brand of Asahi Beer, and its product line has expanded from the original single flavor to include juice drinks, tea drinks, coffee and other types.

2. Product Features of Calpis

The reason why Calpis has been able to thrive for so long is closely related to its unique production process and product features. The following are some of the core features of Calpis products:

• Lactic acid bacteria fermentation process : Calpis' core technology lies in its unique lactic acid bacteria fermentation process. By mixing skim milk powder with lactic acid bacteria for fermentation, Calpis creates a unique flavor that retains the milky aroma and has a refreshing sour taste. This process not only gives the beverage a unique taste, but also makes it have certain nutritional value.
• Low-sugar formula : Compared with other beverages with high sugar content, Calpis adopts a relatively low-sugar formula, which makes it more suitable for people who pursue a healthy diet. At the same time, consumers can also add water or soda water to dilute it when drinking according to their personal preferences.
• Diversified flavor options : Although the classic original Calpis is still the most popular product, in recent years, Calpis has launched a variety of innovative flavors, such as strawberry, lemon, matcha, etc. These new flavors not only attract the younger generation of consumers, but also give traditional lovers more choices.
• Environmentally friendly packaging design : In response to the global environmental protection trend, Calpis has also made improvements in packaging materials in recent years. For example, some products have begun to use recyclable plastic bottles or paper packaging to reduce the impact on the environment.

In addition, Calpis also pays special attention to product quality control. From the selection of raw materials to every link in the production process, they are strictly checked to ensure that each bottle of beverage can meet the best taste and quality standards.

3. Brand development of Calpis

As a brand with a century-old history, Calpis' success is not accidental. The key factors of its brand development can be summarized as follows:

1. Adhere to tradition and keep innovating

Although Calpis's classic original flavor products have always been popular with consumers, the brand has not rested on its laurels. On the contrary, Calpis has always been committed to product research and development and technological innovation to meet the needs of different age groups and consumer groups. For example, for modern consumers with increasing health awareness, Calpis has launched sugar-free versions and other functional beverages; and for young people who pursue fashion trends, it has launched limited edition packaging and co-branded products.

2. Internationalization strategy

In addition to its dominant position in the Japanese domestic market, Calpis is also actively expanding overseas markets. Currently, Calpis products have been sold to many countries and regions in Asia, North America, Europe, etc. Especially in the Chinese market, Calpis has quickly won a large number of loyal fans with its unique taste and brand image.

3. Social responsibility and public welfare

As a responsible company, Calpis attaches great importance to fulfilling its social responsibilities. The brand actively participates in various public welfare activities, such as supporting children's education projects and promoting environmental protection programs. These initiatives not only enhance the brand's public image, but also bring positive impacts to society.

4. Calpis official website: www.calpis.co.jp

For consumers who want to learn more about the Calpis brand culture, visiting its official website ( www.calpis.co.jp ) is undoubtedly an excellent choice. The following is a detailed introduction to the main functions of the website:

1. Brand history and culture

After entering the Calpis official website, users can easily find rich information about the brand's history and culture. By browsing the relevant pages, you can learn how Calpis grew from a small family business to an internationally renowned brand, as well as the values ​​and mission behind it.

2. Product Introduction and Purchase Guide

The official website lists all the information of Calpis products in detail, including the classic original flavor, various fruit flavors and other derivative series. Each product page will provide detailed ingredient descriptions, nutritional data and recommended pairing methods. In addition, the website also provides a convenient online purchase link, so that you can directly place an order to purchase your favorite Calpis products.

3. Recipes and creative inspiration

In order to allow consumers to better enjoy the fun brought by Calpis, the official website has set up a special recipe column. Here, you can find many ways to make delicious drinks and desserts with Calpis. Whether it is a simple iced Calpis soda or a complex cake baking recipe, you can find inspiration in this column.

4. Environmental protection and sustainable development

As a company that pays attention to environmental protection, Calpis' official website has also opened a special section to introduce its efforts in sustainable development. For example, specific measures such as reducing the use of plastics and promoting recyclable packaging are clearly displayed to encourage more people to participate in environmental protection actions.

5. News and Events

If you want to know the latest Calpis news, the news and events page of the official website will be your first choice. Here we will regularly update various information about new product releases, promotions, cooperation projects, etc., so that you can grasp the brand trends at the first time.

V. Conclusion

Since its establishment in 1919, Calpis has gone through a glorious journey of more than a century. As a leader in the field of lactic acid bacteria beverages in Japan, Calpis has not only conquered the hearts of countless consumers with its unique taste, but also successfully achieved sustainable development of the brand by combining adherence to tradition with continuous innovation.

In the future, as global health awareness continues to increase and consumer demand diversifies, I believe that Calpis will continue to uphold its original aspirations and bring more high-quality products and wonderful experiences to people around the world. Whether you are a loyal old customer or a new friend who is new to Calpis, this century-old brand is worth your in-depth understanding and appreciation.