Ovaltine Add Milk Original Formula 800g

I bought this after I accidently discovered Ovaltine could be used as an alternative to Horlicks because I was watching the ASTV EPL Panel Show 3 days ago on the American Scouser YouTube channel, and Macka just casually at the end of the live stream mentioned drinking Ovaltine before bed. I had no idea people around the world drank Ovaltine before bed. I also discovered in Australia they specifically have an Ovaltine formulated for sleep and trusted as a sleep aid for years just like Horlicks in the UK. The original formula of Ovaltine is not sweet compared to the original formula Horlicks, and does not taste as malty to me. In fact the malt powder does not even look the same color, and I thought the Ovaltine malt looked like chocolate, which is funny because Ovaltine was originally formulated in Switzerland, and they are known for their chocolate. Also you get more bang for your buck because you have to buy two Horlick bottles to get 800g or more in one bottle of Ovaltine for a similar price, and the bottle lasts longer. I mean mine does not expire until 03/26.

This European version of Ovaltine is better than American Ovaltine. It has richer flavor and not as sweet. I wish they would not put so much sugar in American food.

Why did you pick this product vs others?: The original recipe is “healthier” with less sugar. Unfortunately, kids are used to the more sugary US-recipe Ovaltine. I would recommend buying the smaller size first.

I try really hard to avoid refined sugar, but I have loved malted milk since I was a kid. (You probably do to or you wouldn't be reading this review.) I even usually make my own malted milk mixtures from barley malt and cocoa powder, but occasionally I like to just have a batch of "premade pre-mix" as well. I tried the "European" formula that comes in the can with Chinese characters on the front. It is OK, but has a slightly metallic taste to me. This one, which is apparently actually from Europe (lol) has a smoother taste, and both have much less of the sugary taste of Ovaltine commonly sold in the US. So even though it is more expensive, I will continue to buy it, because the product quality really does remind me of the awesome malted milk I had as a child. It also is great for making malted milkshakes.

There was no inner seal or outer seal on the packaging. This is extremely dangerous as there is no way to determine if it has been tampered with or contaminated.

I ordered Ovaltine Add Milk European Formula on a whim (sudden nostalgia for my childhood fave) and am happy to say that the product was exactly what I hoped for. The European formula is far superior to the American formula in my opinion; it has no added sugar, corn syrup, or maltodextrine, which makes it a much healthier drink. Also, I could not even find the original formula where I live (WA) since all they have at stores is the chocolate flavor formula (which also has lots of unnecessary stuff added). Since I got it I drank it cold, hot, and mixed with vanilla ice cream! Well worth it, especially given how quickly it arrived.

If you had Ovaltine when you were a child in England, then this is the one to buy: malty, and not swamped with sickly sweetness. Truly, this is the wonderful, warming, and malt and chocolate version, and quite different from the sweet stuff sold in American grocery stores. I foolishly tried to save a few dollars and bought the glass jar, made-in-Thailand which purports to be 'European.' Yuk! It's gritty with an undertone of chemicals, and I just threw away a full jar and one almost full. So, pay the extra and get the real McCoy.

It's an energy drink.