Tap to Read ➤

What is the Difference Between Malt and Shake?

Raksha Kulkarni
Malts and shakes are almost the same type of drinks, with a slight difference. Malted drinks have malt powder and milkshakes don't. However, there's more to their dissimilarities.

Popular References

Milkshakes are popularly referred to as 'frappe' in Canada and England. In Rhode Island, they are called 'cabinets', because people there are known to place their blenders in wooden cabinets.
Malts and shakes fall under the category of the most classic treats, and aptly serve as an energizer on hot summer noons. Both these beverages have never lost their popularity since their making, and continue to satisfy the taste buds of many who crave for a refreshing drink.

However, people tend to mix up with a malt and a shake (milkshake). NutriNeat looks into their features and helps tell the differences between these two drinks.

Malt Vs. Shake

History

Malted milk powder was invented in 1897. A story goes that a worker in a soda pop shop tried to experiment by adding malt to a shake to know its taste. Malt milkshake became a hit since then. Back then, it was considered to be rich in nutrition, and was used as a corrective health drink for kids as well as infants.
The umpteen flavored shakes that we relish today were considered as cocktails during the 19th century. That's because milkshakes required the addition of whiskey in addition to milk and eggs. Later on, milkshakes minus the whiskey were mainly used as a nutritional-packed substitute for children as well as frail people.

The Concoction

Malted milkshakes or malts are prepared by incorporating ice cream (real), whole milk, malt (either powder form or as liquid), and flavoring agents or fruits. In essence, it is a shake, but with the addition of malt powder. A spindle mixer is used for the preparation.

A shake is prepared in a similar way as malt milkshake, leaving out the malt powder in the process. An ordinary blender or a milkshake machine would do while preparing a shake; however, a spindle mixer is a good option.

Taste Profile

The presence of malt powder in malt milkshakes imparts it with a richer taste, along with a slight sour taste too.

Shakes, in comparison, are known to be sweet to taste.

Variations

In case of malt milkshakes, there isn't much of a variation. No additional flavors are added because it might spoil the taste by clashing with the taste of malt powder.

The traditional way of making shakes is still employed; however, it's making has gone through some variations. Shakes, these days, are made with extra flavors, frozen yogurt, and frozen fresh fruits. Whipped cream and cherries are added to the final mixture.

Calories and Fat Content

Milkshakes contain a total of 350 calories (on an average) and about 8-9 g of fat. Malts too contain almost similar amount of saturated fats.

Sugar

Malts are any day better when it comes to sugar content because they have less of it (roughly 18-25 g).

Shakes contain 55-60 g of sugar on an average.
Any flavored drink is supposed to be sipped on occasionally. You can enjoy these drinks, but try not to make it a part of your regular diet because of the saturated fats and sugar that come with them.