A century-old Japanese beverage beloved across East Asia is about to make its Indian debut. Asahi Group Holdings, the Tokyo-listed global beverage giant, entered into a franchise alliance with Varun Beverages Limited (VBL) to launch CALPIS, Japan's renowned "lactic acid drink" in India, starting in the second half of 2026.
First created in 1919 by Kaiun Mishima, the drink is made by fermenting skimmed milk using proprietary CALPIS bacteria through a two-stage fermentation process, producing a refreshingly sweet and tangy taste that has won fans across generations and is now sold in more than 10 countries and regions, primarily across Asia and North America.
This ready-to-drink, non-alcoholic, non-carbonated dairy-based beverage will arrive in India in two flavours: Original and Mango.
Asahi Group Holdings will lead product development and provide technical support, while its local subsidiary manages marketing and brand building. Varun Beverages, the second-largest franchisee of PepsiCo outside the United States, with 53 production facilities across India and international markets, takes on manufacturing, distribution, and sales.
India's non-alcoholic beverage market has expanded 2.3 times in volume over the decade through 2025, driven by a growing middle class, rising health awareness, and a population exceeding 1.4 billion. VBL already has a presence across 27 states and six union territories in India.
Atsushi Katsuki, President and Group CEO of Asahi Group Holdings, said in the official announcement: "We are delighted to introduce the CALPIS brand, which has been enjoyed in Japan for more than a century, to consumers in India. India is one of the world's most dynamic and promising beverage markets."
Varun Jaipuria, Executive Vice Chairman at Varun Beverages, added: "CALPIS is a brand with over a hundred years of heritage and consumer trust, and we are excited to introduce it to India."
CALPIS, however, will have tough competition in the country, which is famous for its milk fermented drinks, be it lassi, shrikhand, or chaas.
