Since living on the West Coast, I've been exposed to more fun Japanese staples then I previously knew about. Calpico {known in Japan as Calpis} is a tasty and refreshing yogurt-based beverage that I now totally adore. The milky white water tastes like a very watered-down tart yogurt. While it may not sound or look too enticing, it's super refreshing and good for you with its lactobacillic components. The thirst-quencher comes in concentrate, original, or soda form. I recently had a calpico cocktail {the soda version mixed with saki}, and it was good! You can find Calpico at your local Japanese or Asian grocery store or at the online sites below.

{Photos by Taku Satoh Design Office. Purchase Calpico online stateside here and here.}