Posted 23 September 2007 - 04:47 PM
QUOTE
Ramune is a type of soft drink that was developed in Japan. However, it is not clear just when and where Ramune was born. The original drink that eventually became known as Ramune was introduced to Japan from abroad, just like kasutera (a sponge cake named after Castilla in Spain) and kompeito (came from confeito, a Portugal word for sugar candy). However, there are many theories as to when and where the soda first arrived in Japan. One of the two leading theories holds that Admiral Perry was responsible for bringing the soft drink to Japan when he entered Uraga in 1853, at the end of the Edo period. The other theory argues that it was brought to Nagasaki in 1860 by a British merchant ship.
In its early days, Ramune was sold in a bottle with a cork cap wound tight with wire to keep the cork from popping out (like we see on champagnes and some sparkling wines). The current marble cap was invented by an Englishman named Hiram Codd, who found that a glass bead provided an easier way to cap the bottle than a cork. In 1888, when Codds patent rights expired, Tamakichi Tokunaga, of Osaka, began developing a bottle using a marble cap. Sold in the new bottle, Ramune saw explosive growth throughout Japan.
Overseas, the use of marble-capped bottles gradually diminished after the invention of a crown cap by William Painter, an American, in 1892. However, the Ramune bottle has survived in Japan, partly because the small businesses making Ramune couldnt afford to buy the new bottling machines that used crown caps, and partly because the cool, soothing sound of the marble rolling around inside the bottlelikened to the sound of a wind chimewas loved by Japanese consumers.
Born in the west, Ramune found a new home in Japan and has remained one of the countrys traditional favorites. Remember the long history and cultural background of Ramune whenever you enjoy a bottle of this timeless drink.
In its early days, Ramune was sold in a bottle with a cork cap wound tight with wire to keep the cork from popping out (like we see on champagnes and some sparkling wines). The current marble cap was invented by an Englishman named Hiram Codd, who found that a glass bead provided an easier way to cap the bottle than a cork. In 1888, when Codds patent rights expired, Tamakichi Tokunaga, of Osaka, began developing a bottle using a marble cap. Sold in the new bottle, Ramune saw explosive growth throughout Japan.
Overseas, the use of marble-capped bottles gradually diminished after the invention of a crown cap by William Painter, an American, in 1892. However, the Ramune bottle has survived in Japan, partly because the small businesses making Ramune couldnt afford to buy the new bottling machines that used crown caps, and partly because the cool, soothing sound of the marble rolling around inside the bottlelikened to the sound of a wind chimewas loved by Japanese consumers.
Born in the west, Ramune found a new home in Japan and has remained one of the countrys traditional favorites. Remember the long history and cultural background of Ramune whenever you enjoy a bottle of this timeless drink.
who here drinks Ramune?! Favorite flavor? I loooove it. <3 <3 <3
I love Ramune too! I especially love drinking it in the summer XD
