MILO Singapore 75th anniversary
Every night without fail, my mum would prepare warm MILO for me before bed, and I’d insist on drinking it out of a milk bottle, even till the age of 7. That’s P1, mind you. I flat-out refused to drink it from a cup because the bottle meant I could lie down, relax, and slowly savour the beverage like the treat it was. If that doesn’t show how much Singaporeans love MILO, I don’t know what does.
This year, the beloved drink is marking 75 years in Singapore, and to celebrate, we got a rare BTS tour of the Nestlé R&D Centre right here on our island.
Table of Contents
Where did MILO originate from?
Image credit: @milosingapore via Instagram
MILO feels like it should be a Singaporean invention, considering how often it’s been part of our childhoods. But surprise: it hails from Australia.
Back in 1934, during the Great Depression, Nestlé tasked a young chemical engineer named Thomas Mayne with creating a tasty and affordable health drink for kids. The brief: it had to be nutritious, made with local ingredients like malted barley, dried milk and cocoa, and most importantly – something kids would actually want to drink.
He worked on the formula for years, trying to make a powder that would dissolve smoothly. But he kept running into a problem where the crunchy bits just wouldn’t mix properly. That is, until he spotted his kids scooping the crunchy bits off the top of their MILO with glee. The crunch wasn’t a flaw – it was the whole point. And just like that, the MILO we know and love was born.
Bonus trivia: it was named after Milo of Croton, a buff Greek athlete from the 6th century BC, who was basically the Hercules of his time.
Truly an iconic drink with an equally iconic origin.
How is MILO made in Singapore?
While MILO may have been born in Australia, the version we drink here is proudly made in Singapore – straight from the factory in Jurong. This factory produces 15,000 tonnes of MILO not just for us, but for overseas markets too. That’s a whole lot of malty goodness.
And the MILO we grew up with isn’t just any generic blend. It’s been specially formulated to suit Singaporean taste buds, which explains why it tastes a little different from the versions you’ll find overseas. Fans will know what we’re talking about.
Every packet here also comes with a healthier stamp of approval – all MILO sold in Singapore is Healthier Choice certified and carries a Nutri-Grade B rating.
We got a super exclusive peek into the Nestlé R&D Centre, and kicked things off at the very lab where the magic happens. First up: learning about MILO’s holy trinity of ingredients – milk, malted barley, and cocoa.
Image adapted from: MILO Singapore
Of the 3 ingredients, the malted barley is the key – barley is first heated using specialised techniques to collect the malt extract. We got to try it and it tasted a bit like honey, but more like mai ya tang, AKA malt candy.
Here’s another fun fact to flex at your next gathering: Singapore is home to the largest producer of the brand’s proprietary special malt – the very same one used in MILO products all over the world.
Image credit: MILO Singapore
Then came the churned mixture of all 3 ingredients. It was rich, chocolatey, and had the texture of extra-gooey brownies. Not quite MILO yet, but still 10/10 would eat again.
Image adapted from: MILO Singapore
Next, we spread the mixture thinly on a sheet, which was then baked till crisp. The end result had a light, meringue-like crunch and that familiar flavour we all grew up with.
This is the exact form it takes before it’s ground down into powder. All we can say is, we wish you got to try it too.
We had to dabao some of the baked MILO crisps back for our colleagues because they were just that good.
We also learnt that MILO Singapore uses 3 key metrics to assess flavour: maltiness, milkiness, and cocoa intensity. These same metrics are applied globally, but the ratio of the core ingredients varies by market. So yup, the MILO here hits different because it is different.
What types of MILO are there in Singapore?
There are 8 different types of MILO sachets available in Singapore, and we got to try 4: Original, Gao Kosong, Gao Siew Dai, and MILO Van.
It was honestly eye-opening to see just how much care goes into every step of the process, from manufacturing right down to how each cup is mixed. During the tasting session, we even saw how the staff measured the water to a T before adding the powder. No anyhow-whack ratios here hor.
And no surprises which one was our fave. As true-blue 90s kids, the MILO Van version won our hearts in a sip – instantly transporting us back to those sweaty post-PE or cross-country days, queuing up for that ice-cold cup of chocolatey goodness. It tasted exactly like the ones we remember.
Did you know that the MILO Van you see at events is completely free? Schools, event organisers, and companies have to write in to request, but fair warning, demand is high. All MILO Vans are deployed on a sponsorship basis and are subject to availability. If you want to try your luck, send your sponsorship requests to milovansponsorship@sg.nestle.com.
Of course, the Original still holds its own as the OG, but if you’re watching your sugar intake, the Gao Siew Dai and Gao Kosong versions are great too. They have the same malty richness, just lighter on the palate. These were made just for Singaporeans, so you know they are good.
We also got to meet one of the Singaporean taste panellists, whose full-time job is to taste test every batch for quality. Dream job, anyone? She’s been doing this for 20 years and shared that she can detect even the slightest difference in flavour. No wonder every cup hits just right.
Why does MILO from the MILO Van taste different?
Yes, we asked the million-dollar question. The brand manager shared a fun theory that’s been floating around: people say the MILO gets “shaken” during the van’s drive to the venue, which somehow gives it a better flavour. Not scientifically proven, but we’ll take it.
As for the MILO Van sachet, it uses the exact same recipe as what’s served from the vans – formulated to dissolve better in cold water, so you get that same shiok, refreshing taste every time.
Pro tip: shake, don’t stir. That’s what the staff did during our taste test, and we’d like to think it made a difference. A protein shaker bottle works if you want to recreate that iconic taste at home.
How to make the perfect cup of MILO?
Just water and MILO powder will do the trick. You can use milk for a creamier, richer taste, but the formula already contains milk. So water works just fine to enjoy it in all its glory.
Check the directions on the sachet, especially for special blends like the MILO Van one, which calls for 150ml of cold water.
Is the Nestlé R&D Centre tour open to the public?
Sadly, the Nestlé R&D Centre isn’t open to the public. This behind-the-scenes tour was actually a first-of-its-kind experience, where a lucky few were invited to get an exclusive look.
Fingers crossed they’ll consider opening it up one day – we just know it’s going to be every MILO lover’s dream come true.
MILO Singapore’s 75th anniversary
Collab with adidas
Image adapted from: MILO Singapore
But don’t worry, here’s the next best thing: MILO has teamed up with adidas. From now till 10th August 2025, redeem a limited-edition tee and pin for free with the purchase of selected MILO beverages. Take note that redemption mechanics may differ depending on where you buy from – refer to the tables below for detailed information.
Image credit: MILO Singapore
Image credit: MILO Singapore
Catch the MILO Van
Free MILO alert! The MILO Van is making a comeback right outside the adidas Brand Centre at Orchard in celebration of National Day. Swing by on 26th July, 2nd August, and 9th August 2025 from 2pm to 5pm.
Viral MILO plushies are coming back
Image credit: @fleeting.whims via Instagram
PSA for all MILO fans and plushie collectors. Word is, the adorbs MILO Breaktime Party plushies are probably making a comeback this August 2025. Keep your eyes peeled on MILO Singapore’s Instagram for first dibs.
MILO was & still is a big part of growing up in Singapore
Every Singaporean has most likely rushed to be first in line at the MILO Van after cross country, or kena scolded at home for using way too much powder when trying to make the gao version. As I’m writing this, I’m already craving a cup of MILO. Guess some things just never change.
More interesting tours in Singapore:
- Katong Antique House
- Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Centre Singapore
- Industrial Relics & Wartime Secrets Tour
- Yakult factory
Photography by Andrea Wong.