How Do American and Japanese Drink Preferences Stack Up?

Dec 30, 2024by Bokksu Staff

America and Japan are two countries famous for their exciting but clearly distinct cuisine. Despite their differences, many people love to explore food and drinks from both countries. If you’re used to American drinks and want to enjoy something new, get yourself a Japanese drink.

The Japanese beverage scene is so diverse that you’ll never run out of new types of drinks to try. This post is your doorway to Japan’s preferred sips. We’ll compare drinking habits and popular beverages in America and Japan. We’ll also introduce you to beverages like ramune, Asahi, Calpis, and traditional sake.

America’s Beverage Trends: From Soda to Craft Innovations

The United States beverage scene has been dominated by coffee, soda, tea, and beer for centuries. Starbucks, Folgers, and Dunkin' are the main coffee brands in the country. When it comes to soda, no brand even comes close to Coca-Cola and Pepsi. The most consumed type of tea in the country is black tea, and brands like Lipton can be found in almost every home. America’s favorite alcoholic beverage is undoubtedly beer, as it sees more consumption than wine and liquor. In that space, Bud Light and Corona Extra are the two biggest players.

In the past, American drinks often contained an indiscriminate amount of processed sugar. At the turn of the 21st century, amidst growing concerns about the health impact of sugar, consumer preferences shifted. The demand for sugar reduction in American beverages led top soft drink manufacturers to shift their strategies.

Craft soda is now a common beverage in the American soft drinks industry. This is a soft drink made entirely with natural ingredients, especially natural sweeteners. Craft sodas rarely contain any processed sugar, making them the ideal alternative to sugar-sweetened beverages in the current climate. Soft drink giants like Coke and Pepsi have also responded by offering zero- and low-sugar options among their long line of fizzy drinks and carbonated beverages. The search for health-centric drinks has led many Americans to turn to Japanese drinks, which have always been famous for their natural and healthy ingredients.

Refreshing Bubbly Soda Pop with Ice Cubes

Japan’s Preferred Sips: From Green Tea to Ramune

What do Japanese people drink? In this section, we’ll answer this question with a detailed overview of the most beloved beverages in Japan. Let's dive in!

Green tea: Although green tea originated in China, it has become synonymous with Japanese cuisine. The beverage has a lot of cultural and religious significance in the country, appearing in casual settings and the famous tea ceremonies (chado). There are dozens of different types of green tea, including matcha (powder) and hojicha (roasted). These teas serve as stimulants, help with relaxation, and prevent certain diseases. The biggest green tea company in Japan is Ito En. They earned their dominance by being the first to sell packaged green tea in Japan.

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Itoen Oi Ocha Green Tea

Those looking for a drink to freshen up the mind, body, and soul may find that Oi Ocha Green Tea does the trick! This unsweetened, zero calorie, and lightly caffeinated bottle comes from Ito En, Japan’s Number One green tea brand. Green tea newcomers, take note: ocha is not matcha: it’s thinner, less bitter, and lower in caffeine.

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16.9 oz

Milk tea: Japanese people also drink black tea. However, they prefer to add a significant amount of milk to it. Dairy milk and soy milk are pretty common options among tea lovers. Some go as far as adding honey to the tea.

Woman pouring milk into cup with aromatic tea

Coffee: Green tea may be close to the heart of the Japanese, but there seems to be room for coffee as well. People enjoy these delicious stimulants at home, in Kissatens, or in cafes. Top Japanese coffee brands include Sapporo Coffee Kan, Ueshima Coffee Company (UCC), and Komeda Coffee.

Roaster's Hand Inspecting Roasted Coffee Beans

Herbal tea: People in Japan also enjoy tea infused with the leaves of certain plants. Sakura tea (cherry blossom tea) is a perfect example. It uses fresh cherry blossom petals and is a popular spring-time drink in the country.
Beer: Japan has some of the biggest beer brands in the world. You can’t walk past a bar in the country without spotting Asahi, Sapporo, or Kirin beer products.
Soda: The soda experience here is quite unique, as most people prefer to drink ramune, a type of carbonated soft drink, rather than sugary beverage. They also enjoy Calpis Soda, Mitsuya Cider, and Ocean Bomb Sparkling Water.

Unraveling Ramune: Japan’s Unique Soda Experience

Ramune is the most popular type of carbonated soft drink in Japan. We can never discuss Japanese soda water without a nod to this cultural phenomenon. Ramune has a distinctive feature compared to other sodas. It has a unique Codd-neck bottle sealed with a small glass marble. Plain ramune also has a lime and lemon flavor, similar to the familiar Sprite. However, unlike Sprite, it offers a wide range of additional flavors, including orange, peach, strawberry, blueberry, etc. Ramune evokes feelings of delight in children and nostalgia in adults.

Healthy and Diet Drink Alternatives: What’s Trending in Beverages

Let’s discuss some healthy beverage options based on current diet trends. We’ll also reveal drink recommendations for some of these trends.

Wellness: Nowadays, people don’t want to drink for basic hydration alone. They want beverages that function like superfoods. The drinks would serve as alternatives to water by offering hydration and additional health benefits. We recommend Itoen Oi Ocha Green Tea, available on Bokksu Market. It contains no sugar and zero calories.
Vegan: Plant-based food and drinks are in high demand. Certain kinds of coffee, fruit juice, and smoothies are 100% vegan. Check out Suntory BOSS Cold Black Coffee
Gluten-free: People suffering from celiac disease can benefit from 100% fruit juice and gluten-free beer like Asahi Beer Dry Zero. Both orange juice and lemon juice are gluten-free.
Sustainable manufacturing: Currently, consumers prefer global beverage brands that use sustainable practices.
Low sugar and calories: Craft sofa and craft beer are the ideal alternatives to sugar sweetened soft drinks.

Spotlight on Japanese Beverage Giants: Asahi and Calpis

Two major Japanese brands that tend to get mentioned in discussions about beverages are Asahi and Calpis. However, many don’t know that both brands are owned by the same parent company, Asahi Group Holdings.

Asahi is a Japanese beer brand that serves more than 90 markets around the world. It’s famous for producing both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beer. Asahi’s signature offerings include Asahi Super Dry and Asahi Dry Zero.

Calpis is a non-carbonated Japanese soft drink in the form of a milky beverage. It’s called Calpico in U.S. markets.

Exploring National Drinks: Sake, Matcha, and Beyond

National drinks are beverages that one would immediately associate with a specific country. It’s not just about their place of origin but also their roles in customs and daily life. Japan has several national drinks. Check them out below:

Sake: The Japanese rice wine is a traditional alcoholic beverage that we’ve all come to associate with the country. People enjoy sake at home, at eateries, at parties, and during religious ceremonies.

Matcha: This is green tea powder. It’s mixed in hot water and served with snacks at tea ceremonies. Matcha is a mainstream refreshing drink today and is available worldwide. Confectionery companies also infuse hot chocolate and other snacks with green tea powder.
Ramune: Ramune is as Japanese as drinks come. Top ramune brands in the country include Sangaria, Shirakiku, and Daiei.

Functional Drinks: Boosting Health with Every Sip

In case you’ve never heard of functional beverages, they’re drinks that provide health benefits beyond essential nutrients. These beverages may contain electrolytes, minerals, vitamins, probiotics, and natural ingredients. They often come in the form of energy drinks, yogurt beverages, protein drinks, and vitamin-enriched waters. Functional drinks are gaining popularity for their health benefits in both the U.S. and Japan.

Cultural Significance of Drinking: Ceremonies and Social Rituals

Japanese beverages play distinct roles in cultural ceremonies and social rituals. In tea ceremonies, multiple guests gather at the host’s tea house to enjoy matcha and traditional sweets. Sake is common during festive celebrations and corporate events. In group celebrations, it’s not uncommon to see people toast with sake. The alcoholic beverage is also present in various religious rituals.

Sustainability in Beverages: Eco-Friendly Practices Across the Globe

Many brands in Japan and America are taking up the mantle of corporate responsibility. They do this through the following sustainability efforts:

Partnering with suppliers who carry out environmentally friendly practices.
Water and natural resource management
Eco-friendly packaging using biodegradable materials
Promoting recycling

What Drinks Are Making Us Feel Healthy?

Americans are right to demand healthier beverages in place of sugary drinks. People tend to focus on solid foods when discussing healthy diets. Unknown to many, the drinks we consume are just as important. By switching to Japanese drinks, you can lower your sugar intake, increase energy levels, and prevent chronic illness.

Both American and Japanese drinking cultures influence and enrich each other. We’re currently in an era where people from both regions can enjoy the same kind of beverages without having to cross borders. Feel free to explore diverse beverage options at Bokksu Market.

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