An Emerald Green Tin Of Chocolate Malted Goodness! (Nestle Milo)

Member Name: Machair1

Product:	Nestle Milo
Date:	15/07/09 (109 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Tastes delicious and is full of vitamins and minerals

Disadvantages: High in sugar

My daughter came home from uni recently and told me that two of her friends loved the drink called Nestle Milo, and I immediately remembered that it was something I had seen in Tesco when I was looking for some coconut milk to add to a curry. Lurking near to this was a bright green tin, so bright green it reminded me of the buses that used to be in Liverpool when I was a child and we used to visits some aunties who lived there.

The front of the tin is adorned with healthy looking athletes, highly suggestive that this product is energy giving. If you imagine a cross between ovaltine and hot chocolate this is what this drink is, and it makes the perfect pick you up at any time of the day. Aimed at children and made by Nestle I wondered how it had escaped my attention for all the years I trawled round supermarkets when my children were small. Somehow, though, I knew I had seen it, as when my daughter mentioned Milo I knew what it was likely to be; it may have been in Greece when I had seen the tins in abundance.

Originally made in Australia and invented by Thomas Payne in 1934, this drink has gathered more popularity in places outside the United Kingdom in recent years. None more so than in Malaysia where the drink is enjoyed when made up with hot and cold water instead of milk. Originally developed to provide nourishment for children during the depression, and gained popularity long after this period in history was over.

The drink is named after Milo of Croton which sounds like a mouthful, but was actually a wrestler who lived around 6BC in the city of Croton in Southern Italy.

I bought this for just under £3 in Tesco and it is a 400g tin with a prize off lid. You can also buy it in some of the larger Sainsbury stores. As I said earlier this will probably be stocked with food from around the world, an aisle I actually love, as there is always something calling me to try it from there.

Inside the tin is a gritty powder, similar in texture to coffee granules but finer, and there is a lovely aroma of chocolate.

To make a delicious warm and comforting drink you stir 3 or 4 teaspoons into a cup of hot milk. They suggest sweetening to taste, but as the biggest ingredient is sugar I wouldn't. Then you can sit back and have a few calming moments, because calming it is, and it reminds me of that late night feeling with the embers of the fire glowing, and a lashing of rain on the windows. Warm and cosy inside! The taste is very mildly of chocolate like a weak drinking chocolate really but with a malted flavour.

Interestingly it is full of vitamins and here is a list of the ingredients as obtained from the tin. I don't normally worry too much about listing ingredients in reviews, but as some may be new to this product I thought it may be helpful.

Sugar, Barley Malt Extract (26%), fat reduced cocoa (15%), whole milk powder, Mineral Mix (Calcium phosphate, Magnesium carbonate, Sodium chloride, Ferric Pyrophosphate), Vitamin Mix (Vitamin C, Niacin, Vitamin E, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin B6, Vitamin A, Thiamin [B1], Riboflavin [B2], Vitamin D, Vitamin B12)

The significant details to gain from this are that the product is a good source of iron, calcium, and b vitamins, but that sugar is at the forefront of the mix so it has to be used in moderation. The iron, calcium and B vitamins in one glass are enough to supply half of a child's requirement for these nutrients each day.

You don't have to use hot milk; it actually makes a great cold drink with some texture to it as some of the mix fails to dissolve giving it a bite. You can also add to cereals, and I have added some to the almond milk I use and found the flavour to be really lovely.

I know that in other countries Milo is now made into cereals and cereal bars, and a lower fat version called MILO B-SMART is available too.

I don't think I'll miss buying this emerald green tin again as my 17 year old son now adores it, and I must admit to be rather partial to the delicious drink!

Have a look at the website for further details.


http://www.nestle.com.au/milo/default.aspx

Summary: Something different and very tasty!