At a glance
- MiloFrom $7.99
- BournvitaFrom $12.99
- OvaltineFrom $9.99
- Mix withHot or cold milk
- Get itPickup at 1651 E 87th St, Chicago, or U.S. shipping
Breakfast drinks guide · Yado Market
Milo, Bournvita and Ovaltine are the three malted chocolate drinks of West African breakfast tables. Here's where each one comes from, how they taste, how to make a perfect cup, what a Milo cube is and how to eat it, and where to buy all three in Chicago.1,2,3
Shop Nestlé Milo 400 g · $7.99 →
Quick answer: which one should I buy?
- Love chocolate and crunch? Milo.
- Want smooth and sweet? Bournvita.
- Prefer a malty taste? Ovaltine.
- Want a snack, not a drink? Milo cubes.
The basics
What Are Milo, Bournvita and Ovaltine?
All three are malted chocolate drink powders: you stir a few spoons into hot or cold milk (or water) for a sweet, malty drink. Across Nigeria, Ghana and the rest of West Africa they're breakfast staples, and many families just call any of them "tea" or "beverage".
Milo was created by Thomas Mayne in Sydney, Australia, in 1934 and is made by Nestlé. It's made from malted barley, milk powder, sugar and cocoa, with added vitamins and minerals.1
Ovaltine is the oldest. It was created in Bern, Switzerland, in 1904 by Albert Wander and first called Ovomaltine, from ovum (egg) and malt.2 Bournvita is Cadbury's malted drink, developed in England in the late 1920s and named after Cadbury's Bournville factory; it's widely sold in Nigeria.3
Compare
Milo vs Bournvita vs Ovaltine: The Differences
Malted barley, milk powder, sugar and cocoa.1 Famous for not fully dissolving: the crunchy bits on top are part of the fun.
Taste: chocolate first, malt second
Shop Milo · $7.99 →Cadbury's malted cocoa drink, widely sold in Nigeria.3 Mixes smoothly into hot milk.
Taste: rich cocoa, sweet
Shop Bournvita · $18.99 →Built on malt extract, with sugar and whey; chocolate versions add cocoa.2
Taste: malt first, lighter chocolate
Shop Ovaltine · from $9.99 →Recipes change by country and over time. Check the ingredients and nutrition label on the tin you buy, especially for sugar.
Shop the guide
Buy Milo, Bournvita and Ovaltine at Yado
Ready for pickup at 1651 E 87th St, Chicago, or shipped anywhere in the U.S.
Milo cubes
What Is a Milo Cube and How Do You Eat It?
Milo energy cubes are small, individually wrapped squares of pressed Milo powder. In Nigeria and Ghana, Milo is also sold as a cube snack.1 They're crunchy, then melt on your tongue like a chocolate-malt candy.
How to
How to Make the Perfect Cup
Hot (the classic)
- Put 2 to 3 heaped teaspoons of Milo, Bournvita or Ovaltine in a mug.
- Add a splash of hot water or milk and stir to a paste so there are no lumps.
- Top up with about 1 cup (8 oz) of hot milk. Many homes use Peak evaporated milk or milk powder.
- Add sugar only if you want it: all three already contain sugar.
Iced
- Dissolve the powder in 2 tablespoons of hot water.
- Pour over ice and add cold milk.
- For Milo, sprinkle a spoon of dry powder on top for the crunchy layer.
Sizes
Sizes and Prices at Yado
| Product | Size | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Milo energy cubes | Bag of cubes | $7.99 |
| Milo | 400 g | $7.99 |
| Milo drink mix | Pouch | $9.99 |
| Bournvita | 500 g | $12.99 |
| Bournvita | 900 g | $18.99 |
| Ovaltine chocolate malt | 400 g | $9.99 |
| Ovaltine malt beverage | 1200 g | $21.00 |
Prices are today's online prices and may change.
Where to Buy Milo, Bournvita and Ovaltine in Chicago
Find all three, plus Milo cubes, at Yado African & Caribbean Market, 1651 E 87th St, Chicago, IL, with Peak milk, Nescafé and breakfast cereals.
Order online for store pickup, or have them shipped anywhere in the U.S.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Milo and Ovaltine?
Milo is more chocolatey and leaves crunchy bits; Ovaltine is built on malt extract and tastes more of malt.1,2
Is Bournvita the same as Milo?
No. Both are malted chocolate drinks, but Bournvita is made by Cadbury and Milo by Nestlé, with different recipes.1,3
How do you eat a Milo cube?
Unwrap it and eat it like a sweet, crumble it over cereal or ice cream, or stir a few into warm milk.
Can you drink Milo with water?
Yes. Milo is mixed with milk or with hot water.1 Milk makes it creamier.
Where does Ovaltine come from?
Bern, Switzerland, where it was created in 1904 as Ovomaltine.2
Do Milo, Bournvita and Ovaltine have caffeine?
They contain cocoa, which has small amounts of caffeine-like compounds. Check the label on your tin for details.
Are malt drinks healthy for kids?
They have added vitamins and minerals but also sugar. Check the nutrition label and talk to your pediatrician if you're unsure.
Where can I buy Milo cubes in Chicago?
At Yado African & Caribbean Market, 1651 E 87th St, Chicago, or online with U.S. shipping.
Sources
- Milo (drink), Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org
- Ovaltine, Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org
- Bournvita, Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org
