Milo dinosaur facts for kids
Milo dinosaur in Singapore
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| Type | Cold chocolate malt beverage/dessert |
|---|---|
| Course | Drink |
| Place of origin | Malaysia and Singapore |
| Region or state | Malaysia and Singapore |
| Associated national cuisine | Malaysian and Singapore |
| Serving temperature | Cold |
| Main ingredients | Milo |
The Milo dinosaur is a super popular drink from Malaysia and Singapore. It's a yummy, cold chocolate malt drink. Imagine a cup of iced Milo with a big scoop of undissolved Milo powder piled on top!
You can usually find this special drink at places like Mamak stalls, kopitiam (coffee shops), and hawker centres. It's always served cold. This helps the Milo powder on top stay as a fun, powdery heap instead of melting right away.
Contents
What is a Milo Dinosaur?
A Milo dinosaur is a sweet and chocolatey drink. It starts with a regular glass of iced Milo. Then, a generous amount of Milo powder is sprinkled or piled on top. This extra powder makes the drink super rich and chocolatey.
The drink is a favorite treat in Malaysia and Singapore. It's known for its unique look and taste. The undissolved powder adds a fun texture to the cold drink.
Where Does the Name "Dinosaur" Come From?
The "dinosaur" part of the name is quite simple! It refers to the big pile of Milo powder on top of the drink. It's like a mountain or a "heap" of powder. This makes the drink look extra special and fun.
Sometimes, other powders like Horlicks might be used instead of Milo. But the idea of a big powder heap stays the same.
How Did Milo Dinosaur Start?
The Milo dinosaur drink has its roots in Malaysia. A similar drink called Milo Shake was popular there in the mid-1990s. Around 2004, the Milo Shake became even more chocolatey and creamy. This is when it started to look like the Milo dinosaur we know today.
Milo itself has been around since the 1930s in British Malaya. It was first sold as a healthy "tonic food." Today, Malaysia uses more Milo per person than any other country! Malaysia also has the world's largest Milo factory. The Milo dinosaur is a shared favorite from the history of both Malaysia and Singapore.
Making Your Own Milo Dinosaur
Making a Milo dinosaur is easy! First, you make a regular cup of iced Milo. Then, you add a lot of undissolved Milo powder on top. You can add as much as you like, from just a spoonful to a huge pile.
The trick is to serve it cold. This stops the powder from melting too fast. It keeps the "dinosaur" heap on top for longer.
What About Milo Godzilla?
There's an even bigger version of the Milo dinosaur called "Milo Godzilla"! This drink is more like a dessert. It's a Milo dinosaur with an extra scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Sometimes, it also has whipped cream.
Milo Godzilla is not as common as the regular Milo dinosaur. But it's a super sweet and creamy treat for those who love desserts.
Why is it So Popular?
The Milo dinosaur is very popular in Southeast Asia. In places like Hong Kong, it's often served as a special Malaysian drink. Even in Australia, where Milo was first made, it's known as a Malaysian and Singaporean style drink.
You can usually buy this drink at Hawker centres. It's also quite affordable in Singapore. As of As of 2020[update], it usually costs between S$4.50 and S$5.
The Milo dinosaur is so well-known that its name is even a term to guess in the Singaporean version of the board game, Taboo. It even inspired a "Godzilla Milo" cupcake sold at a pastry shop in Singapore. A drink store in Taiwan calls it a "super popular" drink for young people.
