Ovaltine is a milky barley malt drink that is traditionally drunk in the evening. It looks good, tastes good, and by golly it does you good (to borrow a Mackeson advertising slogan). It was promoted with images of health and goodness. I worked for a while at the Ovaltine factory in Kings Langley opposite the Ovaltine dairy farm. These days it's a housing estate, though they have retained the art deco frontage.
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| The Ovaltine factory and farms in Kings Langley, Hertfordshire |
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| As it is today, converted into flats, with just the facade remaining. |
Though I had always assumed it was a a British product (and indeed it has been owned by a British firm Associated British Foods (ABF) since 2002) it was developed and owned by a Swiss firm, and since the closure of the Kings Langley factory in 2002 when it was taken over by ABF production of European Ovaltine has returned to Switzerland. There are different versions of Ovaltine (or Ovomaltine as it was originally named, and is still called in many parts of the world); originally it contained egg, and it still does in many parts of the world, but not in the UK. Some versions contain cocoa, some don't, and some contain extra cocoa. This is a UK version which contains more cocoa than the standard British Ovaltine. ABF also own Primark and Twinning's.
This can be made hot or cold. It can be made with water or milk, or a mix of both. And, of course, it can be blended with other cocoa or hot chocolate products (we like to play around and experiment!).
We like this. A lot. Not a huge chocolate flavour, so not really for hot chocolate enthusiasts. It has a wonderful malt flavour. I like malt. The balance between the malt and the cocoa, for me, is nicely judged so the flavours complement each other, with no one dominating.
Make with milk or part milk for an extra smooth creamy indulgent experience.
Nice one!
Date: Lockdown Feb 2021 Score: 8
