What are some fun facts or trivia about Ovaltine milk drink?
Ovaltine began in Bern, Switzerland, where the Wander company sold it as Ovomaltine, a malt-extract drink, from 1904. It was first sold in pharmacies and only later became a breakfast and bedtime drink. Other trivia: a version made for the Swiss army, a rename to Ovaltine for Britain, and a takeover by Sandoz in 1967.
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In this article
Where did Ovaltine come from?
Ovaltine started as Ovomaltine, developed by the Wander company of Bern, Switzerland. According to the Swiss National Museum, the breakthrough came in 1903 as a product called Maltosan, and the name Ovomaltine followed in 1904. The company had been founded by Georg Wander (1841 to 1897), and his son Albert Wander expanded the business.
What was in the first Ovomaltine?
The original was malt extract mixed with milk, egg, yeast and cocoa, preserved so the nutrients were kept. The name is widely explained as a blend of the words for egg (ovum) and malt.
Fun facts and trivia
- It began in pharmacies. The malt-extract product was initially sold only in pharmacies.
- From pharmacy to breakfast table. From 1922 the company marketed it as a breakfast drink and a nightcap.
- An army version. In 1937 the Swiss War Commissariat asked Wander for a nutritious snack for troops. The result was Militar-Ovomaltine, later sold as Ovo Sport.
- Everest. Sir Edmund Hillary reportedly carried Ovomaltine on his Everest climb, according to the museum’s account.
- A new name in Britain. The name is reported to have been changed to Ovaltine for the British market, where a factory was later built at Kings Langley.
- Ownership changes. Sandoz of Basel took over Wander in 1967, and in 2002 Wander merged with a UK food company.
Is the old story about eggs still true?
The name still hints at the original recipe, but we could not confirm the recipe of today’s mixes. Check the pack for ingredients and any allergens.
How is Ovaltine made today?
Ovaltine is sold as powdered drink mixes that are stirred into milk. Flavors, nutrition values and any added vitamins vary by variant and by country, so follow the directions and read the label.
Is it a health drink?
It has long been sold as a nutritious drink, but many flavored mixes contain added sugar, so check the label for sugar per serving.
People also ask
Who invented Ovaltine?
It came from the Wander company in Bern, Switzerland. The Wander company launched it as Ovomaltine in 1904. The firm was founded by Georg Wander, and his son Albert Wander expanded it.
Why is it called Ovomaltine?
The name is commonly explained as a mix of the words for egg (ovum) and malt, the original key ingredients.
What was Ovaltine originally for?
It was first sold only in pharmacies and from 1922 was marketed as a breakfast drink and nightcap.
Sources
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