Milo (drink)

Milo is a milk beverage with chocolate and malt, produced by Nestlé and originating from Australia. It was developed by Thomas Mayne in 1934. Milo is also manufactured in other countries, including Malaysia (accounting for 90% of worldwide consumption of Milo ), Singapore, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, New Zealand, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Chile, Colombia, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Papua New Guinea, South Africa and Syria. The name derives from the famous Greek athlete Milo of Crotona, after his legendary strength.



Milo is added to hot or cold milk to give it a malted chocolate flavour and extra texture. When combined with cold milk, it retains the gritty texture of its raw state. Milo can be stirred into steamed milk or hot water to create something similar to hot chocolate or cocoa. Sugar can be added to the milo beverage, but many people enjoy it without the addition of sweeteners, appreciating it for its subtle chocolate flavour. Another possible use is making a normal cup of cold Milo and microwaving it for approximately 40–60 seconds. This gives the Milo drink a biscuity cover on top.

Another popular use is to sprinkle it on ice cream, especially vanilla ice cream. Milo can also be sprinkled on breakfast cereals. Milo is often the favoured beverage for the Tim Tam Slam.

Others may even choose to not add milk or water and eat the Milo straight from the tin with spoon as they believe this may detract from the true flavour and magic

Also very popular is the "Magic Milo" which involves adding Milo to a small amount of milk with sugar and whipping it to increase the amount of air in the milk, thereby doubling it in size. Then one adds small amounts of hot water and milk in layers stirring each new layer vigorously to maintain its lightness. A final layer of whipped cream topped with extra Milo or chocolate sprinkles. This is more of a 'warm' beverage rather than a 'hot' one and is a more popular version of hot Milo for children.

Milo manufactured outside Australia is customised for local methods of preparation. In Ghana, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Indonesia, it is mixed with hot or cold water instead of milk, with the instructions "Add milk and sugar if desired."

In Australia and most other countries the packaging is green and has people playing sports on the tin. There is an organisation called "Milo Cricket" which operates in most areas by volunteers, children participating are given small packets of Milo to eat or drink. The commercials and taglines are "Go and go and go with Milo" and a popular commercial is 4 generations of women on a skipping rope singing "and my mum gave me Milo to go and go and go" and the line "I need my Milo Today", because it has a low glycemic index. The packaging of tins of Milo in Singapore are also green and also have people playing sports on the tins.

Milo is very popular in Malaysia, where the brand name is synonymous with chocolate flavored drinks. This drink could be found in almost every household in this country[citation needed]. This is because Milo was once used as a nutrient supplement when it was first introduced in the country, and has thus gained a reputation as a 'must have' drink for the old and the younger generations. Milo manufactured in Malaysia is made to dissolve well in hot water to produce a smooth hot chocolate drink, or with ice added for a cold drink. Milo in Malaysia is served in kopitiams and mamak stalls offering versions such as "Milo Dinosaur" (a cup of milo with an extra spoonful of powdered undissolved Milo added to it), "Milo Godzilla" (a cup of Milo with ice cream and/or topped with whipped cream) and "Neslo" (combined with Nescafe powdered coffee). It gained popularity in Singapore soon after.

One can order Milo in Singapore or Malaysia's Kopi tiams by placing an order for "Tak Kieu" ("Kick ball" in Hokkien), referring to the fact that the company has been sponsoring soccer events in the region, especially in Singapore, and has been using pictures showing soccer players. Milo with ice added is known as "Milo Peng" (alternately, "ping"), "peng" ( 冰 ) meaning ice in Cantonese and Hokkien. In Japan, Milo is marketed as a canned energy drink, available in vending machines.

In Hong Kong, Milo is served in Cha chaan teng.

Milo is also a famous beverage in Indian Muslim stalls, or fondly known as Mamak stalls in Malaysia. It is also sometimes used as an alternative to jam and put in bread or also as an ingredient in Roti Canai.

In Trinidad & Tobago and some other Caribbean territories, Milo is synonymous to any hot tea other than coffee.

Origin from Wikipedia