Ovaltine and hot chocolate are two popular cocoa-based drinks that are often confused as being the same thing. However, there are some key differences between Ovaltine and hot chocolate in terms of their ingredients, nutritional value, taste, and best uses.
What is Ovaltine?
Ovaltine is a brand name for a milk additive made from malt, sugar, whey, and cocoa. It was created in Bern, Switzerland in 1904 by Dr. Albert Wander and was brought to the United States in 1912. The name Ovaltine comes from the word “ovum” meaning “egg” in Latin and was chosen because the original formula included egg.
Ovaltine is sold as a powder that can be mixed with milk or water to create a creamy, malt-flavored drink. In some countries it is also available in solid tablet form. The classic Ovaltine flavor contains barley malt, milk solids, cocoa, whey, and vitamins and minerals. There are also flavored varieties such as chocolate, chocolate malt, and rich chocolate available.
What is hot chocolate?
Hot chocolate is a heated drink consisting of shaved chocolate, melted chocolate, or cocoa powder mixed into water or milk. It dates back to the Maya civilizations of Central America where cocoa beans were first cultivated. Hot chocolate then spread to Europe where it became a popular aristocratic drink in the 17th century.
Today, hot chocolate is made by mixing cocoa powder, chocolate syrup, or melting chocolate pieces into hot milk or water. Sugar is also added to sweeten the drink. Higher quality thick hot chocolate can be made by melting chocolate pieces or using specialty drinking chocolate containing cocoa butter.
Nutritional Value
Both Ovaltine and hot chocolate provide nutrients from the cocoa powder used in them. However, Ovaltine tends to be more nutrient dense and fortified with added vitamins and minerals. Here is a nutritional comparison of the two drinks:
| Nutrient | Ovaltine (prepared with lowfat milk) | Hot chocolate (prepared with lowfat milk) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 170 | 130 |
| Total fat | 2g | 2g |
| Sodium | 190mg | 115mg |
| Total carbohydrate | 32g | 23g |
| Protein | 6g | 5g |
| Calcium | 30% DV | 15% DV |
| Iron | 6mg | 0.5mg |
| Vitamin A | 10% DV | 4% DV |
| Vitamin D | 25% DV | 2% DV |
As you can see, Ovaltine contains more vitamins and minerals than hot chocolate, since it is fortified. Ovaltine provides 25% of the daily value for vitamin D, 30% for calcium, and 6mg of iron. Hot chocolate derives nutrients solely from the cocoa powder.
Ingredients
The ingredients in Ovaltine and hot chocolate also differ somewhat:
Ovaltine Ingredients:
- Malt
- Sugar
- Cocoa
- Whey
- Natural and artificial flavors
- Salt
- Vitamins and minerals
Hot chocolate ingredients:
- Cocoa powder
- Sugar
- Milk or water
- Chocolate (in some recipes)
- Flavorings like vanilla
The malt and whey in Ovaltine give it a more complex, malted flavor compared to plain hot chocolate. Hot chocolate tends to use just cocoa powder, dairy, sugar, and spices or flavorings.
Taste and Texture
In terms of taste and texture, Ovaltine and hot chocolate are noticeably different:
Ovaltine:
- Malty, slightly grainy taste
- Thick, creamy texture
- Lingering rich aftertaste
- Sweetness can be adjusted by adding more or less powder
Hot chocolate:
- Rich chocolate flavor
- Smooth, velvety texture
- Can taste very sweet depending on amount of sugar
- Watery or thin if made with just cocoa powder and water
Ovaltine tends to be richer and maltier due to the barley malt, while hot chocolate provides more of the classic chocolate taste. Ovaltine can be made creamier by using less powder and more milk. High quality thick hot chocolate comes closest to Ovaltine in texture.
Cost Comparison
When comparing the cost of Ovaltine versus hot chocolate, Ovaltine tends to be more expensive:
- Ovaltine (6.9 oz jar): $5
- Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa (10.9 oz box): $3
- Ghirardelli Hot Chocolate (10 oz tin): $12
However, Ovaltine contains around 55 servings per jar, while the Swiss Miss box has around 15. So Ovaltine costs around 10 cents per serving compared to 20 cents for Swiss Miss. Ghirardelli hot chocolate is a premium brand and costs around 60 cents per serving.
Ovaltine is more economical per serving compared to standard hot cocoa mix. But it is more expensive than making homemade hot chocolate from scratch using cocoa powder, milk, and sugar.
Use Cases
How Ovaltine and hot chocolate are typically consumed differs as well:
Ovaltine:
- Evening drink before bedtime
- Additive to enhance flavor and nutrition of milk
- Beverage for children
- Mixer for milkshakes or smoothies
Hot chocolate:
- Winter warmer beverage
- Topping for cakes, cookies, and desserts
- Sweet sip alongside coffee drinks
- Nighttime soother before bed
Ovaltine is more often used as a milk enhancer for health benefits, while hot chocolate is viewed as an indulgent dessert drink. However, both can be enjoyed any time of day.
Major Brands
Some of the major brands of Ovaltine and hot chocolate include:
Ovaltine:
- Ovaltine – Original Swiss brand
- Twinings Ovaltine – UK
- Nestle Milo – Asia/Australia
Hot chocolate:
- Swiss Miss – U.S.
- Ghirardelli Chocolate Company – U.S.
- Land O’Lakes – U.S.
- Cadbury Drinking Chocolate – UK
Ovaltine remains the most popular malt-based cocoa drink globally. Swiss Miss and Ghirardelli make affordable and premium hot chocolate in America.
Conclusion
While Ovaltine and hot chocolate are both malty chocolate drinks, they have distinct differences in their flavor profiles, ingredients, nutrition, cost, and usage. Ovaltine tends to provide more vitamins and minerals while hot chocolate delivers a richer, purer chocolate taste. Ovaltine works better as a creamy bedtime drink or nutritional boost to milk. Hot chocolate is more indulgent and commonly used as a comforting winter drink or dessert adornment. Both deliver a satisfying chocolate experience but cater to different consumer needs and preferences.