Beating the Heat with Ramune!

When summer hits Japan, one of the most iconic, refreshing flavors is that of ramune, the clear refreshing soda. Ramune is a traditional Japanese carbonated soft drink, the name of which is actually a phonetic translation of the English word lemonade. While the drink itself is famous, the distinct cider-like flavor has evolved into an entire category of Japanese snacks.

The drink dates back to the late 1800s. It is most famous for its unique glass bottle, sealed with a glass marble instead of a cap. Pushing the marble down into the neck of the bottle to open the soda is a staple of Japanese childhood. The clinking sound of the marble is heavily tied to local summer festivals. Because of this strong cultural connection to summer nostalgia, snack companies heavily utilize the flavor from June through August.

Translating a carbonated drink into a solid snack requires a specific flavor profile. Ramune snacks rely on a mix of sweet citrus and a distinct cooling sensation reminiscent of soda. Many candies and tablets use compressed baking soda to recreate the fizzy feeling of the drink on your tongue. Morinaga was one of the first companies to popularize this with their bottle-shaped ramune candies. These small, chalky tablets melt quickly and provide a sharp, sweet flavor.

Today, the ramune flavor is everywhere during the summer months. You will find it in chewy gummies, hard candies, and even baked goods. It is also a massive flavor for frozen treats. Ice cream brands and popsicle companies release bright blue ramune products to help people cool down. The light blue color is instantly recognizable on store shelves and immediately signals a refreshing summer snack.

If you want to beat the heat with these traditional summer sweets, we have you covered, no matter where in the world you might be! We stock classic ramune candies and soda-flavored snacks that capture the Japanese summer. Browse our ramune collection here to find your favorite seasonal flavors!