Suntory Melon Pop Soda: I'm not sure what I expected from this atomic green soda, somehow even more neon green than Surge, the height of artificial soda in America. But I think I was craving some variety after not drinking any interesting beverages for some time. I purchased the bottle from a 100¥ discount vending machine. It tastes just as you would expect: super sweet, but not actually tasting that much of melon; more like liquid fruit gummy candy. I've actually just realized that I believe this is the melon ... (read more) 1.5/5.0
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Morinaga 俺の白くま beverage: This cute packaging caught my eye, with a familiar polar bear face I've seen on popsicles everywhere from convenience stores to supermarkets. Though I haven't tried the popsicles before, they seem to feature a variety of fruits along with red bean, all in a milky white bar. The combination of flavors always seemed like they wouldn't necessarily go well together, which is why I hadn't felt a strong desire to try them up to this point. I found this carton in between the milk and yogurt secti... (read more) 2.5/5.0
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Yamada Bee Factory 塩とシークヮーサーはちみつ: A second beverage I had from the hospital vending machine is this salted citrus beverage with organic honey. Its color, an electric yellow-green, makes me naturally think of lemon Gatorade, which it has a similar flavor to except the sweetness has a little more depth, and the consistency is a slightly thicker on the tongue. A decent sweet beverage good for the impending summer heat. 3.5/5.0
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Calpis ぐんぐんグルト: I haven't been able to write snack reviews consistently because about a week ago, my back gave out (a relapse with my herniated disc), and I had to go to the hospital to be treated, where I still am now. The meals at the hospital have been nutritional if not exactly tasty, and there are no snacks. Lying horizontally for several days, I saw little of the floor I'm staying on until a few days ago, when I was able to progress to a wheelchair and them a tall castered walker. After taking a tour ... (read more) 3.0/5.0
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Ichigaku Carrot juice with ginseng : This bottle of carrot juice retains much of the pulp of fresh carrots, giving it a slightly grainy texture. The juice has been slightly flavored with ginseng and lemon. I was hoping it would either be more sweet or more carrot-y; overall, it's not particularly good or bad. 3.0/5.0
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Excel Bottling Lucky Cola Club: Over the years, I've developed an unfortunate dependency on diet sodas, particular Coke Zeros, which always seem to be around offices that offer free beverages. I wouldn't say I like the taste, but there's something comforting about getting the same flavor no matter where you are in the world. I've gotten used to the sugar substitute aftertaste that dominates beverages from large corporates like Coca Cola. But this bottle, from 80-year-old independent bottler Excel Bottling, is different. ... (read more) 4.0/5.0
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