Yakult is a prominent probiotic dairy beverage that originated in Japan. However, it’s been gaining popularity globally, all thanks to its distinct flavor profile and health benefits. If you have not yet given it a try, you might be wondering what does Yakult taste like.
Yakult comes in several fruity flavors, including orange, green apple, and grape. The taste of Yakult is similar to watery yogurt with a tart and fruity flavor. The added sugar gives it a pleasant hint of sweetness that helps to cut down on the drink’s sourness. However, you may still notice a sour aftertaste that comes from the lactic acid bacteria culture that keeps you feeling refreshed and full for a long time!
Let’s dive in to explore all about this popular fermented dairy drink, especially the flavor aspects.
What Does Yakult Taste Like?
The taste of Yakult is similar to watery milk with citrus and vanilla flavor notes. It has a sour aftertaste, but the added sugar helps to cut down on the tang, giving you a sweet, smooth, and pleasant flavor.
Yakult Original does not have a single official flavor as with many other beverages. Instead, its flavor is reminiscent of sweetened watery milk with a slightly sour yogurt flavor with hints of citrus and vanilla notes. The taste is truly unique and must be tried in person to get a better understanding of it.
You may notice that it’s difficult to nail down a single prominent flavor. It tastes fruity, milky, and “yogurt-y”. The flavor profile is mainly sweet yet sour at the same time. You may even detect notes of vanilla, peach, apple, and a blend of citrus flavors.
You can compare the flavor of this Japanese probiotic drink to watered-down, sweetened yogurt but with a fruity flavor. If you’ve tried the Kefir yogurt drink, you’ll find Yakult similar to its taste. The only difference between the two is in terms of their nutritional value. Kefir has a low sugar content; Yakult, on the other hand, has plenty of sugar added after fermentation. Moreover, Kefir is high in healthy fats.
The primary ingredients of Yakult have remained the same, although the recipe is quite old and has changed over the years. Yakult comprises water, glucose, sugar, and skimmed milk.
Keep in mind that Yakult is also different from yogurt. Although they’re both fermented dairy products, Yakult contains a different strain of acid-resistant probiotics. This means the bacteria is alive when it reaches the gut and performs pro-health actions that benefit the digestive system.
Yakult’s creation dates back to 1935; it originated in Japan. Since then, Yakult has grown folds and is loved across the globe. You’ll find it in most grocery stores as a pack of 5 bottles with a distinct red foil lid.
This globally acclaimed probiotic drink has a delicate and smooth texture. The slightly fruity tartness and the kick of sugar keep you feeling hydrated and full for a long time! You may be taken aback by the sour taste at first, but it quickly disappears, leaving you revitalized. Yakult’s tanginess results from the fermentation process that involves live culture (Lactobacillus casei Shirota). It’s then mixed with sweetening agents to mask the sour flavor.
However, if you’re looking for a healthy probiotic drink minus the sugar, you’ll surely enjoy Yakult Light. It has fewer calories (25 vs. 50 kcal) but tastes pretty much the same!
You may notice that Yakult’s packaging differs from each country; this ensures top-notch taste and quality. Unfortunately, due to this reason, the drink’s fruity flavor variations are only available in Singapore.
Although Yakult as a probiotic supplement is more effective than yogurt at introducing live culture into your digestive tract, it also has a few drawbacks. For starters, you’re adding plenty of sugar to your system, which can lead to obesity, diabetes, and heart problems in the future. Therefore, you should take any supplement in moderation to avoid health risks. Nonetheless, Yakult’s benefits surely outweigh those of the other probiotic supplements; this beverage aids digestion, boosts immunity, and protects against infections!
Overall, you’ll surely enjoy this probiotic drink regardless of age, especially its health benefits.
Is Yakult Taste Good?
Yakult is an acquired taste; however, it is a favorite among those with a sweet tooth. Our favorite aspect of the drink is the thin mouthfeel of this beverage that tastes watery and sweet, with subtle hints of tangy and fruity flavors.
Yakult’s unique flavor is mainly due to the addition of amino acids, nucleotides, and added sugars that make it the people’s drink! The taste is a unique blend of silky citrus and vanilla notes.
What’s more is that Yakult is now available in various flavors like orange, grape, and green apple. If you want to cut down on calories and sugar intake, you can try Yakult Light, which tastes equally good. It has 67% less sugar than the original version yet tastes wonderfully similar.
Does Yakult Taste Sour?
As you know, Yakult is a fermented, milk-based beverage. Yeah, it does taste sour.
Yakult is cultured using a specific strain of bacterium that is known to be beneficial to the digestive tract due to its probiotic properties. During fermentation, the Lactobacillus casei ferments lactose found in milk to produce lactic acid, which has a sour taste. So if you were to drink Yakult in its natural state, you’d find it tasting pungent and acrid.
So, to make it appealing and edible to most consumers, it’s mixed with various flavoring and sweetening agents. This includes a blend of citrus flavors that add a refreshingly tart flavor to the drink! Overall, Yakult Original does not taste very sour; it has a sweet and fruity flavor.
Why Does Yakult Taste So Nice?
Yakult Original has a delicious creamy-sweet flavor with a unique citrus taste. However, you cannot pinpoint any specific flavor in the beverage as it has a hint of sourness that’s subdued by the drink’s sweetness.
Unlike other yogurts and yogurt drinks, this beverage has a thin consistency. It almost tastes like a watered-down smoothie with the perfect balance of tart and sweetness.
You can enjoy Yakult in various flavors, such as Yakult Original and Yakult Light. The Yakult Light is a healthier version of the original probiotic drink. It has the same flavor but with a lower sugar and calorie content!
It’s the perfect beverage for chilling and relaxing after a stressful day. It’s tastier and healthier than any soda and would do better at keeping you refreshed and full!
Is Yakult Sweet?
Yakult tastes tangy-sweet, like a mix of vanilla and citrus flavor notes. This sweetened beverage is obtained by fermenting skim milk, glucose, and sugar with bacteria called Lactobacillus casei.
While it already contains 50% of the natural sugar present in skim milk, some of the sweetness gets lost during fermentation. Therefore, before dispensing the end product in small containers, it’s mixed with sweetening agents that help to cut down on the tang. The sweeteners and flavoring agents do a great job at elevating the taste of this delicious drink.
In short, the Yakult Original has a milky-yogurt flavor and subtle sweetness. If you enjoy sweet-tasting milky beverages, you’ll enjoy Yakult for its citrus and vanilla flavors!
Conclusion
Yakult tastes slightly milky with a unique tangy-citrusy flavor. It’s more on the runnier side, consistency-wise, and differs from yogurt in terms of texture. You can consume this fermented dairy beverage after a heavy meal to reduce stomach bloat. You can try various flavors to see which appeals to you most. The best part is that Yakult doesn’t only make for a tasty drink but also offers numerous health benefits.
Hopefully, now you have the answer to your question on what Yakult tastes like and more! Overall, it’s a delicious probiotic option for people of all ages! If you want to boost your immune system and keep your digestive tract healthy, it’s the drink for you!