Product Placement
Issue #32
Ramune
By Ling Ma
Published: June 1st, 2007 | 12:00am
Before you reach for that aspartame-loaded Diet Coke, consider this cute Japanese alternative with the vintage packaging. Instead of a twist-off cap, Ramune comes sealed with a glass marble that’s held in place by the natural pressure of the beverage’s carbonation. Once uncorked, the glass marble drops inside and is caught at the nipped-in bottleneck, where it rattles around as you drink.
Known as the Codd-neck, the bottle structure was invented by Englishman Hiram Codd in 1872. After Codd’s patent expired, a Japanese entrepreneur snapped it up. Ramune was born somewhere along the way and became a popular summer drink in Japan, where you can often find it sold at street fairs.
Uncorking Ramune might seem intimidating at first, but if you take the plastic popper (the bottle comes packaged with this), position it at the bottle’s opening, then press down evenly with the heel of your hand, the glass marble pops into the bottle with minimal fuss and a bit of froth. (There’s usually a diagram on the label for nervous first-timers.)
In taste, the closest American counterparts are Sprite or 7-Up, but Ramune is less citrus-y. The original flavor doesn’t differ much from most Asian sodas, with that light bubblegum aftertaste. Other flavors include peach, mango, and lychee.
If you get the hang of uncorking these suckers, try my faux-champagne method when you’re feeling ostentatious. Give an unopened bottle a few brisk shakes, then immediately uncork. Enjoy the deliciously frivolous, celebratory fizz of finding a new summer drink! — Ling Ma
Manufacturers: Hata, Shirakiku, and Sangaria are some common manufacturers. Look for Ramune at local Asian markets, or visit asianfoodgrocer.com.
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