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I’ve always been intrigued by the interesting names Japanese drinks and candies are dubbed. Some products are named with old-school Japanese lingo, and have a traditional flair which is appealing on a high-class level. Who can turn their nose up at matcha ame (green tea candy)? On the other hand many people would not only turn their nose up at some names, they’d pinch that appendage shut, especially at the dubiously dubbed yogurt drink, Calpis.

The name, which sounds a lot like cow piss, is an unintended gaff on the part of the company, which had no intention of equating their drink with the wrong end of a cow. Instead, according to good ol’ wikipedia, the name is taken from the words, calcium and sarpis, the sanskrit word for “good taste”. Even with a totally rational explanation, the name still sounds kinda not so much like a health drink but the name of a dare.

Calpis Candy

Fortunately for the company, they had the good sense to market Calpis as Calipico in the States. Not to mention that their yogurt flavored drinks are so tasty, they program the drinker to forget about any connection to bovine urine their beverage may tenuously have.

Calpis not only manufactures a wide array of yogurt beverages, they also make a yogurt-inspired candy based off their unflavored Calpis drink.

Packaging

Go Calpis! This adorable, eye-catching bag makes me forget their odd moniker. The color scheme matches the Calpis bottle to perfection, with its blue, white and silver hues. Calpis is packaged with soft and inviting themes, with enough shine in the packaging to lure in people who are immune to cute. The friendly, winking star mascot thingie, however, makes me go, awwwwww. There’s a glass of Calpis on the bag, informing me Calpis is a white-colored drink best served over ice. Two half-rounds next to the glass resemble antacid tablets. Is this a serving suggestion, or is this supposed to represent the candy? Score: A+

Appearance

Hmmm, I thought the candies would be in some sort of star shape, like the mascot. What I get are white, semi-translucent rounds. Nix the serving suggestion, the antacid tablets actually were representative of the product. I feel slightly ripped, but hey, it’s about the flavor, not whether or not I get cute, star-shaped goodies, right? Right!? Score: B+

Closeup of Calpis Candy

Texture

This is soft gummy candy texture all the way. First bite is soft and pliable, with some jaw-work thrown in. It’s good stuff, if one is a gummy candy-lover. Score: A-

Flavor

My first impression is of gummy Rolaids® (there’s that antacid angle again!). Taking another taste, reveals the candy does have a yogurt tang and a milky bite. The yogurt tang is actually more lemony than yogurty, however, and the milky bite seems like an after thought.

Calpis isn’t loaded with sugar and is mildly sweet, which is a bonus. It’s got decent flavor, but for some reason, the flavor isn’t jiving with the texture the way it should. Overall the flavor is okay, but it seems at odds with the texture. Perhaps if it had more a more milky base it would work. Score: B

Verdict

This is one of those candies that will either grow on a person or just be meh. I find that the flavor isn’t strong enough to accompany the gummy texture for my liking. Calpis gummy candy is a good idea, and it may have worked if the flavor was more intense, but it falls a bit short in my book. But if you’re a Calpis fan, or gummy or yogurt fan, try Calpis candy and decide for yourself. Just don’t expect love at first bite.