Ramune Carbonated Soda: A Treat For All Ages
If you haven't been introduced to Ramune sodas, you're in for a sweet treat!
These carbonated beverages from Japan come in a variety of flavors including melon, strawberry and lychee; the original is bubble gum scented with a sweet-as-candy taste.
But the flavor is almost secondary to the bottle itself, which is sealed shut with a clear glass marble. When you remove the cap, you find a green plastic pellet. It's used to force the marble down into the neck so that the soda can flow out. The marble rattles around the neck making the drink a huge hit with kids, from the smallest tykes to tweens and teens.
I assumed Ramune was just a kid's drink until my last trip to the Asian supermarket Uwajimaya, when a helpful clerk set me straight. It seems that Ramune mixes well with unfiltered sake and is a fun after dinner drink for an older crowd as well.
It's no surprise then, that Ramune is a popular summer drink in Japan and also the coolest potluck contribution in the U.S., if you've been asked to bring the drinks. This summer, I'm finding, whoever brings the Ramune is the hit of the party. Kampai!
--Tracy Schneider
Christina Almond on August 20, 2009 at 04:28 AM
This sounds really interesting! I might order some from the Amazon link!!
HopeSew on August 20, 2009 at 08:36 AM
Christina- I hope you enjoy them! They're not as intensely flavored as regular sodas so they're less syrupy and more refreshing (to me anyway). You'll notice a couple of indents in the area where the marble resides. You need to tip the bottle in one direction so the indents catch the marble for your drink to flow nicely.
After finishing your drink, the plastic top can be muscled off with pliers for putting the glass into recycle, and you can add the marble(s) to a vase or something.
Gustavo Web Master on August 20, 2009 at 10:01 AM
If you want to try some Ramune strait from Japan then try AsianFoodGrocer.com. They have several flavors imported regularly, and they're all delicious >_<
Fuji Mama on August 20, 2009 at 10:35 AM
Ramune is one of my favorite drinks! I've lived in Japan twice, and get a craving sometimes that just has to be filled. Glad you're spotlighting it--everyone needs to try it!
Jess on August 20, 2009 at 01:08 PM
I LOVE Ramune: especially the Strawberry flavor. I never knew about them until we started selling them at my work (http://www.Old52.com). It's so funny watching people try to get the marble out after they drink it!
audiokabel on September 21, 2009 at 04:05 AM
I love this stuff. Better than any other carbonated drink I have ever tasted. I've been dying to find it ever since! When I saw that Amazon had it, I immediately ordered it. It's so wonderfull. I didn't even wait to chill it! It tastes a little like gum and it's very refreshing. I wish I could get it by the case.
Mike C on October 11, 2009 at 03:41 PM
www.asiansnacktime.com has the yummy ramune along with other snacks. I tried ordering from them before, very good experience.
CABAL RMT on February 11, 2011 at 11:40 PM
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