Milo is an Australian malt and cocoa flavoured powder that you mix up with cold or hot milk to make a beverage. It is made by Nestlé.
Some people add sugar when mixing it up; some don’t.
A “Magic Milo” is Milo mixed up with warm milk added a small amount at a time, being whipped after each addition, with the drink topped with whipped cream. In some places such as Ghana, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Indonesia, the preference is to mix it with hot or cold water, so the formulation there is adjusted for them. The packaging in those countries will say, “Add milk and sugar if desired.”
Milo is popular in Australia and Malaysia; it is also sold in New Zealand and throughout south-east Asia. It can only be found in America and Britain as an imported product. It was introduced into Canada in 2006; the version there is sweeter, and designed to dissolve faster. In most countries the packaging is green.
There are other Milo related products such as a chocolate bar, a yoghurt, an ice cream, and a breakfast cereal.
Cooking Tips
Can be sprinkled on ice cream as a topping.
History Notes
Milo was created by Thomas Mayne, a Nestlé product engineer, in 1934, and introduced at the Sydney Royal Easter Show the same year.
At the same time, Nestlé started product at a plant at Smithtown, near Kempsey, New South Wales, Australia. The same plant still produces Milo today.
The idea behind the product was to provide mothers a way to boost the daily minerals and vitamins intake for their children.
Language Notes
Milo is named after the classical Greek athlete Milo of Crotona, who was known for his strength.
Sources
Milo product web page. Retrieved August 2012 from http://www.milo.com.au/products/milo/
