Where can I buy Calpis by the case in Toronto?
February 4, 2009 11:55 AM Subscribe
Where can I buy Calpis/Calpico by the case in Toronto?
I love Calpis. The bottle kind, not the powder. Calpis is delicious. There is no better drink than Calpis. Anyone who says that they have had a better drink than Calpis is a filthy liar or has not had Calpis before. Drinking Calpis is like drinking a mixture of ecstasy and love. The first time I had Calpis my brain was set on fire. With desire. For more Calpis. It has been burning ever since.
Recently at Manpuku I noticed that they had Calpis in the drink fridge. Of course, I bought one immediately, and when that sweet milky nectar hit my lips I tasted what I think is the taste of human hope. Because at that moment I realized that if Manpuku can stock Calpis on a regular basis, it implies that it is possible to buy it in bulk locally. Right? Manpuku must have a Calpis source. I need to locate it. Has anyone seen it for sale by the case?
I will lie, cheat, murder and steal for Calpis. Money is no object.
I love Calpis. The bottle kind, not the powder. Calpis is delicious. There is no better drink than Calpis. Anyone who says that they have had a better drink than Calpis is a filthy liar or has not had Calpis before. Drinking Calpis is like drinking a mixture of ecstasy and love. The first time I had Calpis my brain was set on fire. With desire. For more Calpis. It has been burning ever since.
Recently at Manpuku I noticed that they had Calpis in the drink fridge. Of course, I bought one immediately, and when that sweet milky nectar hit my lips I tasted what I think is the taste of human hope. Because at that moment I realized that if Manpuku can stock Calpis on a regular basis, it implies that it is possible to buy it in bulk locally. Right? Manpuku must have a Calpis source. I need to locate it. Has anyone seen it for sale by the case?
I will lie, cheat, murder and steal for Calpis. Money is no object.
Is that TnT the Tone Tai supermarket? i live about 100m from one of those. I'll look next time I'm in.
Also, what about Pacific Mall? Worth a look, and you can pick up your manga comics, bootleg DVDs and Super Mario pencil erasers...
posted by Frasermoo at 12:13 PM on February 4, 2009
Also, what about Pacific Mall? Worth a look, and you can pick up your manga comics, bootleg DVDs and Super Mario pencil erasers...
posted by Frasermoo at 12:13 PM on February 4, 2009
Heisei Mart Mart in the J-Town shopping centre might carry it.
posted by Staggering Jack at 12:25 PM on February 4, 2009
posted by Staggering Jack at 12:25 PM on February 4, 2009
I've seen trucks for something called Japan Food Canada which may be the company that Heisei Mart and TnT buy from (or may not). Googling gives me a phone number but no webpage. Here's the phone number: 905-564-5511
Also, I've seen Calpis in Korean grocery stores and the local Shopper's Drug Mart (Yonge and Finch) so you may not have to go all the way to Markham if you're just looking to buy it retail.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 12:38 PM on February 4, 2009
Also, I've seen Calpis in Korean grocery stores and the local Shopper's Drug Mart (Yonge and Finch) so you may not have to go all the way to Markham if you're just looking to buy it retail.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 12:38 PM on February 4, 2009
They sell Calpis at T&T in North York and also at some of the Chinese grocery stores near Spadina/Dundas, and also the Japanese food shop on west queen west (sorry the name escapes me right now) but I've never seen it 'by the case' (as in, at a discount for buying a whole case) in any of those places, only in the 2L bottles.
I feel your pain though.
posted by modernnomad at 2:59 PM on February 4, 2009
I feel your pain though.
posted by modernnomad at 2:59 PM on February 4, 2009
If you are a Calpis addict, you do not want to get the pre-mixed stuff in a can or bottle. You want to get Calpis concentrate. (That's the only way Calpis came, when I was growing up.) You dilute it to the strength you want with water or soda water - they recommend 3 to 5x. (I like 3x plus ice cubes.) It can also be used as a syrup on shaved ice or snow-cones.
I don't know exactly which Toronto markets would have it, but look in the biggest Japanese market in your area. Korean or general Asian markets may have the cans or bottles, but I've never seen the concentrate anywhere but at Japanese markets. This is what it looks like. It comes in 1l and 500ml cartons. There's also a 'light' version, with about 1/3rd the calories.
Some Toronto (and Canada) Japanese and Asian grocery stores are listed here (self-link).
posted by thread_makimaki at 3:58 PM on February 4, 2009
I don't know exactly which Toronto markets would have it, but look in the biggest Japanese market in your area. Korean or general Asian markets may have the cans or bottles, but I've never seen the concentrate anywhere but at Japanese markets. This is what it looks like. It comes in 1l and 500ml cartons. There's also a 'light' version, with about 1/3rd the calories.
Some Toronto (and Canada) Japanese and Asian grocery stores are listed here (self-link).
posted by thread_makimaki at 3:58 PM on February 4, 2009
I had several bottles of Calpis over one glorious week 3 years ago. You have inspired me to try and find it in North Carolina. Godspeed, fellow Calpis lover.
posted by Stylus Happenstance at 5:28 PM on February 4, 2009
posted by Stylus Happenstance at 5:28 PM on February 4, 2009
Response by poster: Thanks for the tips everyone! I picked up some of the 1.5L (pre mixed) bottles at T&T just now to satisfy the craving I got from writing this question. The big ones are $5.99 and the small bottles are $2.99 each. Highway robbery! I saw the concentrate Maki, but didn't get any. I'll definitely try it next time, I don't know why I thought it was a powder. I guess I was thinking of something else.
The search for bulk purchasing continues. I'll check out JTown later this week and see if they'll sell me a case.
posted by tracert at 6:14 PM on February 4, 2009
The search for bulk purchasing continues. I'll check out JTown later this week and see if they'll sell me a case.
posted by tracert at 6:14 PM on February 4, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by sid at 12:09 PM on February 4, 2009