Milo dinosaur explained

Milo dinosaur, Milo shake
Type:Cold chocolate beverage
Flavour:Sweet chocolate beverage

Milo dinosaur or Milo tabur is a Malaysian/Singaporean beverage, composed of a cup of iced Milo (a chocolate malt beverage) with undissolved Milo powder added on top of it.

Etymology

According to a reporter for The New Paper, the "dinosaur" in the beverage's name on its own means "[a] heap of Milo or Horlicks powder on the iced drink".[1]

History and preparation

The origin of Milo dinosaur is disputed. A drink, known as Milo shake, was being served in Malaysian roadside stalls in the mid-1990s. Vendors in Singapore say that the Malaysian shake is not as chocolatey and creamy as the Milo dinosaur. Initially, Milo was marketed in British Malaya from the mid-1930s as a convenient ‘fortified tonic food’ for middle-class individuals. At present, Malaysia has the world's highest per capita consumption of Milo.[2] Malaysia is also home to the world's biggest Milo factory.[3] Milo Dinosaur is considered Malaysia's and Singapore's joint colonial legacy.

Milo Dinosaur is also known as "ta-chiu",[4] The drink is made by adding a generous amount of undissolved Milo powder to a cup of iced Milo.[5] The amount of powder added can be excessive[6] [7] or as little as a spoonful.[8] The drink is common in Malaysia and Singapore.

A variant, "Milo Godzilla", comprises a cup of milo dinosaur augmented with a scoop of ice-cream and/or whipped cream.[9] [10]

Cultural impact

In Hong Kong, Milo Dinosaur is often served as a Malaysian speciality while in Australia, the land where Milo originated from, it is known as either a Malaysian and Singapore-style beverage.[2]

Typically sold at Mamak stalls,[11] Milo dinosaur can be accompanied with roti prata.[12] [13] The beverage is considered to be inexpensive in Singapore;, its pricing ranges from S$3[14] to S$3.50.[15] The name of the beverage is one of the terms to be guessed in the Singaporean version of the popular board game, Taboo.[16] Milo Dinosaur inspired the creation of "Godzilla Milo", a cupcake sold at a Singapore-based pastry store.[17] According to one Taiwan-based beverage store offering the drink, it is a "super popular" crowd-pleaser for the younger generation.[18] Milo Dinosaur is also prominent in Malaysia.[19] [20]

Notes and References

  1. News: Kopi kia gave me winning 4-D numbers . . 2 April 2013 . 26 June 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171107003734/http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest+News/Singapore/Story/A1Story20130401-412787.html . 7 November 2017 . live . dmy-all .
  2. Web site: Milo Dinosaur: When Southeast Asia’s Cultural Heritage Meets Nestlé. Yusof Issak Institute. 2019. 5 Jun 2021.
  3. Web site: FAR FROM EXTINCT? A HISTORY OF THE “MILO DINOSAUR” IN SINGAPORE. 8 Jun 2021.
  4. News: RACK YOUR BRAINS . 21 August 2006 . Luo . Serene . . [...] milo-dinosaur, milo-godzilla, ta-chiu, and I have drunk and loved them all..
  5. News: Singapore's 5 best breakfast sets . 18 November 2009 . Kaur . Balli . . 26 June 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130905173427/http://travel.cnn.com/singapore/none/5-best-singapore-breakfast-sets-868266 . 5 September 2013 . live . dmy-all .
  6. Book: Travel Singapore: Illustrated Travel Guide, Phrasebook, and Maps . 332– . MobileReference . 9781605010151 . 2007 .
  7. Book: Choudhary, P.S. . Encyclopaedia Of Southeast Asia And Its Tribes . 2009 . Anmol . 197– . 9788126138371 .
  8. Book: Leo, Francis . Migration and Diversity in Asian Contexts . 218– . Institute of Southeast Asian Studies . 9789814380478 . 2012 .
  9. Web site: Abu Baker. Jalelah. 2015-03-16. Milo under the spotlight after fake products seized in Malaysia: 10 facts about Milo The Straits Times. 2022-01-25. www.straitstimes.com. en.
  10. Web site: Khor. Samantha. 2016-03-31. 'Milo Tower' Needs To Be A Thing At Our Local Mamaks RIGHT NOW. 2022-01-25. SAYS. en.
  11. News: Chen . Jingwen . Tea and coffee worth the long wait at award-winning Mr Teh Tarik . 2 March 2012 . . 27 June 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120509234606/http://www.soshiok.com/article/17726 . 9 May 2012 . dead . dmy-all .
  12. News: . Prata charms locals and foreigners alike . https://archive.today/20130628041029/http://www.soshiok.com/article/15952 . dead . 28 June 2013 . 13 August 2011 .
  13. News: Expat kids give top votes to local book . 27 March 2010 . . 27 June 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140320101827/http://news.asiaone.com/News/Education/Story/A1Story20100325-206736.html . 20 March 2014 . live . dmy-all .
  14. News: . Under $7 eats at Orchard Road . 22 December 2012 . Sim . Walter . 26 June 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130611101409/http://www.soshiok.com/article/21802 . 11 June 2013 . dead . dmy-all .
  15. Web site: Cold Milo Dinosaur . Casuarina Curry . 26 June 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140320100026/http://www.casuarinacatering.com/delivery/index.php?route=product%2Fproduct&product_id=333 . 20 March 2014 . dmy-all .
  16. News: . Card game plays on S'poreans' favourite expressions . 8 November 2011 . 26 June 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140320095843/http://www.asiaone.com/print/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20111108-309260.html . 20 March 2014 . live . dmy-all .
  17. News: Continue celebrating National Day at restaurants and hotels . Yeoh . Wee Teck . 10 August 2012 . . 27 June 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120812013447/http://soshiok.com/critic/article/20088 . 12 August 2012 . dead . dmy-all .
  18. News: The Ultra-popular Beverages in Singapore – Milo Dinosaur and OREO Smoothie . TraNews . Taiwan . Chien . Leanne . 17 March 2011 . 27 June 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140320125203/http://tw.tranews.com/Show/Style1/News/c1_News.asp?SItemId=0271030&ProgramNo=A000203000002&SubjectNo=70288 . 20 March 2014 . live . dmy-all .
  19. News: . Nestle charting an incredible journey . https://archive.today/20130628041055/http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2012/3/26/lifeliving/10977056&sec=lifeliving . dead . 28 June 2013 . 26 March 2012 .
  20. News: Pretty Murni Draws The Crowds . 17 June 2011 . Free Malaysia Today . 27 June 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110825133535/http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/2011/06/17/pretty-murni-draws-the-crowds/ . 25 August 2011 . dmy-all .

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