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Malted milk

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A Carnation-brand malted milk can

Malted milk or malt powder or malted milk powder, is a powder made from a mixture of malted barley, wheat flour, and evaporated whole milk powder. The powder is used to add its distinctive flavor to beverages and other foods, but it is also used in baking to help dough cook properly.

History

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William Horlick
Explorer Ernest de Koven Leffingwell poses with cases of Horlick's Malted Milk on Flaxman Island, Alaska, circa 1910.

London pharmacist James Horlick developed ideas for an improved, wheat- and malt-based nutritional supplement for infants. Despairing of his opportunities in the United Kingdom, Horlick joined his brother William, who had gone to Racine, Wisconsin, in the United States, to work at a relative's quarry. In 1873, the brothers formed J & W Horlicks to manufacture their brand of infant food in nearby Chicago.[1] Ten years later, they earned a patent[2] for a new formula enhanced with dried milk. The company originally marketed its new product as "Diastoid", but trademarked the name "malted milk" in 1887.[3][4]

Despite its origins as a health food for infants and invalids, malted milk found unexpected markets. Explorers appreciated its lightweight, nonperishable, nourishing qualities, and they took malted milk on treks worldwide. William Horlick became a patron of Antarctic exploration, and Admiral Richard E. Byrd named Horlick Mountains, a mountain range in Antarctica, after him. Back in the US, people began drinking Horlick's new beverage for enjoyment. James Horlick returned to England to import his American-made product and was eventually made a baronet.[1] Malted milk became a standard offering at soda shops, and found greater popularity when mixed with ice cream in a "malt", for which malt shops were named.[3]

Uses

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "The History of Malted Milk Powder". Kitchen Lore. 22 July 2011. Archived from the original on 5 February 2021. Retrieved 22 July 2011.
  2. ^ US 278967A, William Horlick, "Granulated Food for Infants and Process of Preparing the Same", issued 5 June 1883  Archived 15 September 2024 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ a b "Wisconsin's Malted Milk Story". Wisconsin Historical Society. Archived from the original on 27 November 2020. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
  4. ^ "Horlick's Malted Milk Corporation | Photograph". Wisconsin Historical Society. 17 August 2006. Archived from the original on 17 March 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
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