This is the Asahi Kokusan Ichigō Latte & Calpis. In collaboration with the Nippon Yell project, it used domestically produced ingredients, specifically milk from Hokkaidō Prefecture and tochiotome strawberries from Tochigi Prefecture.
This beverage exhibited an opaque pastel pink hue and emitted a sweet aroma reminiscent of strawberry-flavoured milk, featuring prominent milky notes but lacking the typical tartness associated with Calpis. Upon tasting, the milky elements were surprisingly more subdued than the aroma might suggest. The notes of strawberries became apparent from the first sip, offering a well-balanced blend of sweetness and sourness. The natural sweetness of the milk was subtly present in the body of the drink, just as the inherent acidity of the Calpis emerged in the latter part of the sip to enhance the tartness of the strawberries. This resulted in a fresh strawberry flavour, without an overwhelming sourness. In terms of consistency, the drink was akin to Calpis, with a refreshing thin yogurt-like quality and richer milk flavour, but without the usual creamy mouthfeel of a latte. In summary, this beverage skillfully combined the elements of a strawberry latte and Calpis, making it a suitable choice for those who appreciate rich dairy flavours.
This Asahi Kokusan Ichigō Latte & Calpis contained 500 mL. It was produced in Japan and purchased in Sydney, Australia in 2023.