The key difference between a shake (milkshake) and a malt is the addition of malted milk powder in a malt. Both start with the same base ingredients-ice cream and milk-but a malt includes malted milk powder, which is made from malted barley, wheat flour, and evaporated milk. This addition gives malts a thicker texture and a distinctive toasty, nutty, and sweeter flavor compared to a regular milkshake
Differences in Detail
- Ingredients :
- Shake: Ice cream + milk + flavorings (e.g., chocolate, vanilla).
- Malt: Same as a shake, plus malted milk powder.
- Flavor :
- Shake: Sweet and creamy, with the flavor depending on the syrup or ice cream used.
- Malt: Adds a rich, toasty, and slightly nutty flavor due to the malt powder.
- Texture :
- Shake: Smooth and creamy, lighter consistency.
- Malt: Thicker and denser because of the malt powder.
- Nutrition :
Malts generally have fewer sugars but more minerals like iron, magnesium, and zinc compared to shakes, which have higher sugar, vitamin D, and potassium levels
Historical Context
Milkshakes originated as eggnog-like drinks with eggs and whiskey, evolving into ice cream and milk blends by the early 1900s. Malts became popular in the 1920s and 1950s with the addition of malted milk powder, initially used as a dietary supplement
Summary Table
Feature| Milkshake (Shake)| Malt (Malted Milkshake)
---|---|---
Base| Ice cream + milk + flavorings| Ice cream + milk + malted milk powder
Flavor| Sweet, creamy| Toasty, nutty, richer sweetness
Texture| Smooth, lighter| Thicker, denser
Nutritional Highlights| Higher sugar, vitamin D| More minerals (iron,
magnesium, zinc)
In essence, a malt is a milkshake enhanced with malted milk powder, giving it a unique flavor and texture profile that distinguishes it from a regular shake
