Quick Answer
Japanese melon soda is typically made with Yubari King melons, a specialty cantaloupe cultivar from Hokkaido, Japan. Yubari King melons are known for their sweet, aromatic flesh and high price. The juice from these melons is used to flavor ramune, a type of Japanese carbonated soft drink.
What is Japanese Melon Soda?
Japanese melon soda, also known as melon ramune or melon cream soda, is a popular carbonated soft drink in Japan. It is a ramune style soda flavored with melon.
Ramune is a traditional Japanese soda known for the distinctive marble sealing the bottle. To open ramune, you push the marble inward with the palm of your hand. This releases the carbonation with a satisfying crack.
Melon ramune combines this fun drinking experience with the sweet taste of melon. It is a light, fruity and refreshing beverage enjoyed by people of all ages in Japan.
The melon flavor is usually made from fruit juice or puree, frequently from Yubari King or other Japanese cantaloupe melons. The juice provides a smooth, sweet and fragrant flavor notes to the soda.
Some versions of melon ramune use syrups or artificial flavorings to achieve the melon taste. However, better quality brands use real melon juice or puree.
Why is Yubari King Melon Used?
Yubari King is considered the premier melon variety from Japan. It is a cantaloupe cultivar known for its quality, sweetness and expensive price.
Yubari King melons are produced in greenhouses in Yubari, a city on Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island. The climate in Yubari helps create extremely sweet and fragrant melons due to large day-night temperature differences.
Single Yubari King melons can sell for $200 or more apiece in high-end fruit shops in Japan. Their reputation and cost contribute to the perception of luxury and quality.
When you see a melon soda made with “Yubari melon”, it signals a premium product using one of Japan’s most prized fruits.
Key reasons why Yubari King melons are used in melon sodas:
– Intense sweetness – Brix levels of 12-19%. More sugar content creates a sweeter soda.
– Distinctive aromatics – Fruity and flowery notes that translate to the soda.
– Smooth texture – Melts in your mouth, creating a richer mouthfeel.
– Prestige and luxury – Using the expensive Yubari melon denotes high quality.
– Unique melon flavor – Yubari King has a distinct honey-like taste.
– Regional pride – Supporting famous fruits from different prefectures.
Other Japanese Melons Used in Melon Soda
While Yubari King is the most famous, other Japanese melon varieties are also sometimes used in melon sodas:
– Earl’s Favourite – Sweet, orange-fleshed cantaloupe from Hokkaido.
– Sweet Creme – Pale orange melon with white flesh that is sweet and creamy.
– Tamami – Green-fleshed melon with crisp texture and mild sweetness.
– Andes – Bright orange cantaloupe with honey-like flavor.
– Melon Queen – Orange melon from Shizuoka perfect for juicing.
– Sky Rocket – Oval melon with speckled rind and refreshing taste.
– Reticulatus – Wrinkled, netted rind and spicy aroma.
– Rikkyo – White rind melon with sweet and juicy flesh.
– Natsuke – Golden orange winter melon with creamy texture.
These specialty melons from around Japan may be used alone or blended together in melon sodas. The variety balances out the flavor, while retaining regional identity.
What Does Melon Soda Taste Like?
When you sip Japanese melon soda, expect light, sweet and juicy flavors reminiscent of ripe melon flesh.
High quality melon sodas made with Yubari King or other melons taste like you are drinking fresh fruit juice with fizzy carbonation. There are layered fruit notes like honeydew, cantaloupe and even strawberry.
The soda should have an elegant, smooth mouthfeel from the fruit puree, rather than being watery. The sweetness is pronounced but not overpowering or sugary.
Notes like fresh flowers, stone fruit, and tropical flavors add complexity. The bubbles give it brightness and refreshment.
Overall, the soda will taste like a sparkling fruit juice rather than an artificial flavor. Decent melon sodas use real fruit to provide authentic melon taste.
Lower quality brands rely on chemical flavors and lots of sugar. You can tell by artificial bubblegum-like flavors and high corn syrup content.
For the authentic, fresh fruit experience, look for brands highlighting ingredients like “Yubari melon juice” or “100% real fruit”.
Nutrition Facts
As a sweetened soft drink, melon soda is not the most nutritious beverage choice. However, it contains some beneficial nutrients from fruit juice.
A typical 8 ounce serving of melon soda contains:
– Calories: 115 – 130
– Total fat: 0 g
– Sodium: 15 – 25 mg
– Total carbs: 30 – 35 g
– Sugar: 27 – 32 g
– Protein: 0 g
The main nutrients in melon soda from fruit juice include:
– Vitamin C – Melons contain vitamin C which acts as an antioxidant. A serving of melon soda provides around 15% DV of vitamin C.
– Potassium – Melon juice offers potassium which supports heart health and hydration. You get 3-5% DV potassium per serving.
– Vitamin A – Melons have beta-carotene that converts to vitamin A for immune function. Melon soda has 2-4% DV vitamin A.
– B Vitamins – Small amounts of B vitamins like niacin, folate and pantothenic acid.
Keep in mind that many versions contain high fructose corn syrup as the main sweetener instead of fruit juice. Check the label for nutritional contents.
Overall, melon soda is a flavored soft drink without much nutritional value. Consuming as an occasional treat is recommended over having it regularly.
Where to Buy Melon Soda in Japan
In Japan, you can find melon soda in many locations:
– Vending Machines – Ramune sodas including melon flavor are sold in vending machines everywhere in Japan.
– Convenience Stores – 7-Eleven, Lawson’s, Family Mart and Mini Stop carry ramune and melon soda.
– Supermarkets – Beverage sections in stores like Aeon, Ito Yokado, and Seiyu stock melon ramune.
– Department Stores – Basement grocery floors in stores like Takashimaya and Mitsukoshi have huge ramune selections.
– Tourist Shops – Souvenir stores in places like Tokyo and Kyoto sell multi-packs of ramune with unique fruit flavors.
– Online – Amazon Japan and Rakuten have cases of melon ramune that can be delivered to your door.
– Ramune Specialty Shops – Stores like Tokyo Ramune Soda Store and Osaka Ramune Town offer hundreds of rare soda flavors and bottlings.
Some of the most popular melon soda brands in Japan include Ramune, Kimura, Wakatake Onoduka, Kogane Senbei, and Sendai Mitsuya Cider. Limited edition seasonal flavors are also released.
Trying yubari melon soda along with uniquely Japanese beverages like matcha soda, sakura soda, and wasanbon soda is a fun part of experiencing Japanese food culture.
How to Open and Drink Ramune
One of the fun things about ramune sodas is learning how to open and drink from the unique bottles. Here is a step-by-step guide:
1. Remove the cap which will expose the glass marble seal.
2. Hold the bottle upright in one hand. With your other hand, push the marble inward with your palm or finger.
3. The marble will dislodge and sink down with a satisfying crack releasing the carbonation.
4. Drink straight from the bottle, or optionally pour into a glass over ice.
5. When finished, recap the bottle which will hold the marble in place for storage.
The marble and plastic plunger stopper makes for an airtight seal that keeps carbonation locked in. Flipping the bottle upside down before opening also helps build up fizziness.
Be careful, as pushing too hard can cause the marble to pop out and the soda to foam. The bottles are made from thick glass so they won’t break if the marble comes out.
Trying to get the marble back in place can be challenging. Simply drinking straight from the open bottle is easiest for enjoying this fizzy beverage.
Popularity in Other Countries
Originally from Japan, ramune and melon soda have spread to other countries as Japanese food and beverages gain worldwide popularity.
Some places where you can now find melon ramune soda:
United States
Melon ramune is stocked in Asian grocery stores and markets across the US, especially on the west coast in areas like Los Angeles and Hawaii with large Japanese populations. Brands like Sangaria, Sanko, and Kimura can be found.
China
Due to proximity to Japan, melon ramune is available in major Chinese cities at import food shops and beverage stores.
Philippines
Asian marts, convenience shops, and supermarkets in the Philippines sell regular and melon flavored ramune imported from Japan.
United Kingdom
UK stores like Japan Centre sell ramune sodas including yuzu, strawberry and melon flavors. The bottles match the original Japanese design.
Australia
Melon ramune can be found at Asian grocers in Australia’s major cities. Independent importers distribute Japanese soda to meet demand.
The refreshing taste of fruit flavored ramune appeals to people worldwide. The iconic bottle and drinking ritual add to the global popularity of ramune sodas originally from Japan.
Popular Brands
Some of the most popular Japanese melon soda brands include:
Ramune – The original melon soda brand since 1876. Comes in classic green bottles.
Kimura – Major soda company producing yubari and Cantaloupe flavors.
Wakatake Onoduka – Ramune with premium Hokkaido melon juice.
Sendai Mitsuya Cider – Famous for honeydew melon soda.
Kogane Senbei – Small batch craft ramune from Hokkaido.
Ryukakusan Soda – All natural sodas with unique melon flavors.
Ishiya – Established 1899, retro glass bottle sodas.
Sangaria – Popular melon cream soda brand.
Sanko – Ramune with fun packaging and big marbles.
Morinaga – Major beverage company with distributed sodas.
Finding your favorite brand can be an enjoyable part of discovering melon soda varieties. Try out different ones to experience the range of flavors.
Flavors
Beyond the main melon soda flavor, you can also find ramune in many fruit flavor variations:
– Yuzu – Japanese citrus fruit soda with tart taste.
– Blue Hawaii – Melon, pineapple and coconut tropical flavors.
– Strawberry – Sweet, berry-flavored soda often with puree.
– Grape – Concord or Kyoho grape flavors.
– Peach – Sweet white peach taste.
– Lychee – Exotic and floral soda.
– Green Apple – Tart and crunchy green apple ramune.
– Lemon – Bright, citrusy fizzy soda.
– Orange – Fresh squeezed orange juice flavor.
– Kiwifruit – Sweet green kiwifruit notes.
– Grapefruit – Bitter and tangy soda.
– Pear – Light and juicy pear nectar soda.
– Plum – Japanese plum extract sodas.
Part of the appeal of ramune is getting to taste sodas flavored with delicious ripe Japanese fruits. Special seasonal editions offer even more unique flavors to discover.
How to Make your Own Melon Ramune
You can make DIY melon ramune soda at home with just a few ingredients:
Ingredients
– 1 cup melon juice (yubari, honeydew etc)
– 1/4 cup sugar
– 1/4 cup lemon juice
– 3 cups chilled sparkling water
– Marble soda bottles
Directions
1. Mix melon juice, sugar and lemon juice until dissolved.
2. Fill ramune bottle 1/3 with juice mixture.
3. Top off with sparkling water and cap tightly.
4. Chill bottles fully before drinking.
5. Open bottle carefully with marble stopper.
6. Pour over ice and enjoy!
Making it fresh means you control the flavors and sweetness. You can experiment with different melon and fruit combinations.
The marble bottle method allows you to recreate the ramune drinking experience at home. Keep lightly capped until ready to open and drink.
Where to Buy Bottles
To serve your homemade ramune, you need the special stoppered bottles:
– Buy ramune bottles – Order empty used bottles online to reuse.
– Japanese grocery stores – Check Asian food markets for multi-packs of ramune.
– Amazon – Search for “ramune bottles” to purchase sets of new bottles.
– Specialty bottle sites – Shop Japan-based sites like RamuneSodaBottle.com for bottles.
– DIY plunger stopper – Make your own seal with marbles and plastic bottle caps.
Soda siphons also work for homemade carbonation without the marble bottles. But reusing original ramune bottles adds authenticity.
Other Brands
Some other brands of melon soda from around the world include:
| Brand | Details |
|---|---|
| Faygo | Popular American brand with Rock N’ Rye Melon flavor |
| Sanpellegrino | Italian sparkling beverages company with melon soda |
| Jarritos | Mexican soda maker with Melon Jarritos |
| Big Boss | Taiwanese soda with passionfruit melon flavor |
| Fentimans | UK botanical soda maker with Canteloupe & Elderflower |
While ramune is distinctive to Japan, melon flavored sodas are enjoyed worldwide. The fruity, sweet taste has universal appeal.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Japanese melon soda is a refreshing carbonated drink flavored with melons like Yubari King from Hokkaido. The iconic ramune bottle and marble seal make for a fun beverage experience. Yubari and other Japanese cantaloupes provide delicious fruit flavors. Melon soda has spread worldwide but remains closely associated with Japanese food culture. Trying premium brands like Kimura or making your own are ways to enjoy this sweet fizzy treat.
