The name “ramune” originated from the word “lemonade” in Japanese.  Ramune refers to two things, firstly, it is a name for a carbonated soft drink with a special distinctive bottle design, although the old fashioned bottle design is not a Japanese invention, Japan has an amazing way of keeping the past alive and anything with a hint of nostalgia will sure lives on for a long time in Japan.

      Secondly, it refers to any soda flavoured candy. If you lived in Japan, ramune candies will certainly bring back a time in your childhood, the candy can be found in any local convenient stores. Rumune candies is definitely the stable of Japanese candy, it has distinctive soda flavour with a hint of sweet and sour and a punch of fizzy-ness. The best-selling version of ramune candies came from Morinaga and it is shaped identically like those classic bottles of soda.

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History of Ramune

The first Ramune candy in Japan was made by Meji several years after the invention of ramune soda drink. At the time, Ramune drink was sold at a high price, by creating ramune flavoured candies, this made it easier for people to experience the delicious flavour of the Soda drink at a reasonable price. In addition, the name “ramune” translated from an English word “lemonade”.

How many calories?

The ramune carbonated drink contains roughly 70-100 Kilocalories per bottle, it is a perfect low calories frizzy drink if you are concern of your caloric intake. The candies contain about 45 kilocalories per bag. However, it is high in sugar content so you might want to be careful and not finish the whole bag on your own!

Ramune confectionery has two main components

Ramune can help ease hangover and the feeling of fragility, the secret lies in the glucose ingredient, which made up about 90% of the ingredients in ramune. Other components include potato starch and acidulant citric acid. Although it is not scientifically confirmed that the glucose gets rid of hangover, it is known that the level of glucose is usually low when you feel fragile and hangover, a boost of glucose often helps to boost your energy. Some ramune candies contain pure sugar rather than glucose, the difference is that sugar does not dissolve well in cold beverages, but it is characterised by a stronger sweetness and a stronger aftertaste than glucose.

What does ramune taste like

Ramune is a carbonated soft drink made with lime and lemon flavours with added sugar. It was originally made with lemon and cider flavours, however over time these two flavours are almost undistinguishable due to the use of lemon-based flavours in cider. It has a perfect blend of carbonated and frizzy texture, if you are in need for an instant refresher, a sip of ramune drink will quench your thirst.

Ramune is known for the distinctive design of its bottle, they are made of glass and carefully sealed with a marble top. To open the bottle, a plastic device is used to push down on top of the bottle to pop open the drink.

These are some popular ramune flavoured products you must try!

1. Morinaga Ramune

One of the best-selling ramune candies. The morinaga's ramune in a container with a nostalgic packaging. Features a refreshing taste. Because 90% of the ingredients are glucose, it can ease a feeling of drowsiness and hangovers by eating about two tablets. It seems that many adults have it at their work desk for a boost of energy.

2. Kakudai Mini Cuppy Ramune

This is found in local candy shops in the Kanto region, it is a popular candy originated from Chubu and Kansai regions. The manufacturer Kakudai Confectionery is a long-established store in Taisho 8 years. At the beginning of the sale, it was packaged in a plain bag, but the taste remains the same with a distinctive design of rabbit and squirrel packaging. Glucose is not used.

3. Kabaya Jui-C Irodori Ramune

It is a little high quality ramune with candy pieces. It features a crisp texture. Enjoy four flavors in different colours; grape soda, cider, apple soda, and melon soda. Again, the main ingredients are sugar and syrup, so no glucose is used.

4. Kakudai Ramune Okashi

This is also a product from Kakudai confectionery ramune, but it contains 5 small ramunes in a package with assorted flavours. For those who feel that "Cuppy Ramune" is too sweet, this Ramune has low sweetness and is recommended. Because it has a refreshing acidity and a refreshing taste, it is also popular with adults and seems to be addictive. Glucose is not used.