what is the difference between a malt and a milkshake?

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Written By Lydia Wordsworth

Hi, I'm Lydia! I love breaking down complex ideas into simple, helpful comparisons. Here to make learning easier and fun for you!

malt vs milkshake

Did you know a malted milkshake has a secret ingredient? It’s malted milk powder. This makes it richer, sweeter, and toastier than a regular milkshake. It also makes the drink thicker and more indulgent.

Malts and milkshakes are both frozen desserts with ice cream and milk. But what makes a malt special is the malted milk powder. This comes from malted barley, wheat flour, and evaporated whole milk. It brings an earthy and savory taste to the sweet, creamy mix. This mix of flavors makes the malt a unique treat.

Defining a Milkshake

Milkshake IngredientPurpose
Ice creamProvides the creamy, frozen texture
MilkBlends with the ice cream to create the desired consistency
Malted milk powderAdds a unique, toasted flavor and thicker texture to the milkshake

A milkshake is a frozen treat made by blending ice cream and milk in a special machine. It turns into a creamy, thick drink. You can find milkshakes in many flavors, like chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, or cookies and cream. Enjoying a milkshake alone or with a burger and fries is a great way to treat yourself.

Malted milkshakes are special because they have malted milk powder added. This makes them taste richer, sweeter, and more like toasted goodness. The malted milk powder also makes the drink thicker.

What is the difference between a malt and a milkshake?

CharacteristicMilkshakeMalt
Key IngredientIce cream and milkIce cream, milk, and malted milk powder
Flavor ProfileSweet and creamyRicher, sweeter, and toastier
ConsistencySmooth and creamyThicker and more viscous
CaloriesApproximately 350 caloriesApproximately 350 calories
Sugar Content55-60 grams18-25 grams

A milkshake and a malt may look similar, but they are not the same. The main difference is the addition of malted milk powder in a malt. This ingredient makes a malt unique compared to a regular milkshake.

A malt, or malted milkshake, is a creamy drink made with ice cream and milk, just like a milkshake. But, it also has malted milk powder. This adds a richer, sweeter, and slightly toastier flavor. It makes the drink taste more complex and indulgent than a milkshake without malted milk.

The malted milk powder comes from a mix of malted barley, wheat flour, and evaporated whole milk. This mix creates a unique umami taste that goes well with vanilla and chocolate flavors. But, it might not mix well with some fruit-based ice creams and syrups.

In summary, the main difference between a malt and a milkshake is the malted milk powder. This ingredient gives the malt a special flavor and thicker texture. While both are tasty frozen treats, the malt offers a unique and nostalgic taste that makes it stand out from a regular milkshake.

What is Malted Milk Powder?

Malted Milk Powder IngredientsUses of Malted Milk Powder
  • Malted barley
  • Wheat flour
  • Evaporated whole milk
  • Malted milkshakes
  • Malted milk drinks
  • Baking (breads, bagels, cakes)
  • Confections (Whoppers Malted Milk Balls)

Malted milk powder is a special ingredient used in many foods for years. It’s made from malted barley, wheat flour, and evaporated whole milk. The making of malted milk powder includes soaking, sprouting, and drying barley to get the sugars out. Then, the barley is toasted to give it a deep, caramel taste.

Whoppers Malted Milk Balls use the same malted milk powder that makes milkshakes creamy and tasty. Milkshakes became popular in 1922 when a Walgreens worker in Chicago mixed ice cream with malted milk. This created a new, exciting drink.

Now, you can find malted milk powder in most grocery stores under brands like Ovaltine, Nesquik, Milo, and Nestlé Carnation. It’s not just for milkshakes. Bakers use it too, preferring diastatic malt powder for its enzymes and non-diastatic for its chewy bagels and malt flavor.

Malt Ice Cream: A Modern Twist

Malted milk ice cream is a new take on a classic dessert. It’s made by adding malted milk powder to the mix before freezing. This gives the ice cream a unique taste that’s both sweet and slightly earthy.

The malted milk powder comes from malted barley, wheat flour, and evaporated whole milk. It adds a sweet and rich flavor. This makes the ice cream thicker, just like a classic malted milkshake.

By mixing different ice cream flavors with malted milk powder, you can create many tasty variations. Try it with caramel, butterscotch, or coffee malt. You can even make dairy-free malt options by using it with non-dairy ice creams.

This modern twist on the malted milkshake lets ice cream lovers enjoy the special malt flavor in a new way. It’s a fun way to bring back the nostalgia of the soda fountain at home.

Origins of the Malted Milkshake

The malted milkshake has a long history, starting in the late 1800s. Back then, malt sugar was seen as a great dietary supplement because it was easy to digest. In 1882, William Horlick made malt into a powder. He mixed it with evaporated milk to create malted milk powder.

This powder was the start of malted milk drinks. The first malted milkshake came in 1922. Ivar “Pop” Coulson, a Walgreens employee, added ice cream to the malted milk. This mix quickly became popular during the Prohibition era.

People couldn’t go to saloons anymore, so they went to ice cream parlors and soda shops instead. The malted milkshake’s unique taste, rich and creamy with a sweet flavor, made it stand out. The malted milk powder made the drink thick and indulgent. This has made it a favorite among milkshake lovers for many years.

Classic Malt Milkshake Recipe

Enjoy the rich, creamy taste of a classic malt milkshake. It’s a timeless treat that has pleased people for years. This recipe mixes sweet, malty, and refreshing flavors. It brings back the joy of the old soda fountain days.

To make your own tasty malt milkshake, you need a few simple things: 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream, 1/2 cup of whole milk, 2 tablespoons of malted milk powder, and 1 tablespoon of chocolate syrup. First, blend the ice cream and milk until smooth. Then, add the malted milk powder and chocolate syrup, and mix again until everything is well mixed.

The secret to a great malt milkshake is the malted milk powder. It gives a unique and irresistible flavor. This powder is made from malted barley, wheat flour, and evaporated whole milk. It tastes earthy and slightly sweet, making the milkshake stand out.

You can try different flavors by using chocolate, strawberry, or your favorite ice cream types instead of vanilla. Add whipped cream, chopped nuts, or a cherry on top for extra flavor and fun.

This classic malt milkshake recipe is perfect for those who miss the soda fountain days or just want a rich treat. It will make you feel like you’re in a different time, enjoying a sweet indulgence.

Malted Milkshake vs. Regular Milkshake

NutrientMalted MilkshakeRegular Milkshake
Calories85 calories per 100g112 calories per 100g
Carbohydrates11.2g per 100g17.75g per 100g
Sugar6.68g per 100g17.75g per 100g
Vitamins & MineralsRicher in iron, magnesium, zinc, copper, and manganeseHigher in calcium, phosphorus, and potassium

Malted milkshakes and regular milkshakes are similar but have a key difference. Malted milkshakes include malted milk powder, which makes them richer and thicker than regular ones.

This special powder comes from malted barley, wheat flour, and evaporated whole milk. It gives malted milkshakes a unique taste. This flavor boosts classic tastes like chocolate and vanilla. But, it doesn’t mix well with some fruit-based ice creams and syrups.

Let’s look at the nutritional differences:

Both malted and regular milkshakes are treats to enjoy. But, malted ones have a special taste and are a bit healthier. It’s up to you to decide which one you like better.

Recreating the Soda Fountain Experience

Looking to cool off or enjoy a winter treat? Nothing beats a milkshake for its refreshing taste and nostalgic feel. Adding old fashioned milkshakes and malts to your menu brings back the classic soda fountain experience. The rich malt flavor adds a special touch to this beloved dessert drink.

There are 7 milkshake recipes to try, offering something for every taste. One recipe combines frozen bananas, chocolate malt mix, and ice cream for a smooth treat. Another recipe for a classic banana split is perfect for hot days.

The soda fountain experience isn’t just about milkshakes. A malt recipe brings back nostalgic diner memories. There’s also a simple 3-ingredient punch recipe for those who want a sweet drink with little effort. By offering these treats, businesses can take customers on a trip back in time.