Difference Between Malt O Meal And Cream Of Wheat

What's the difference between Malt O Meal and Cream of Wheat? This article will cover the differences between the two, and a few other interesting things as well. 

Malt O Meal for breakfast is almost like nostalgia for many people in the US. A hot bowl of porridge is something many of us still like to enjoy for a filling meal at the start of the day. 

Another breakfast option that is commonly used as an alternative is Cream of Wheat. But is there any difference?

If you have tasted one of the others, you may have wondered if you can replace it with the other. But are they different in composition? Do they differ in taste? If they are replaceable, is there any difference between Malt O Meal and Cream of Wheat at all? Let’s find out.  

Malt O Meal vs. Cream of Wheat: What is the Difference?

malt o meal vs cream wheat

Almost every American has wintry memories of waking up to the smell of a hot bowl of Malt O Meal. This product from the house of MOM Brands Company is gentle comfort food, usually served with fruits, milk, and of course, sugar. Some of you may also be familiar with dessert recipes made with it. 

Cream of Wheat, too, is a staple porridge base, made in a similar way as Malt O Meal. Whether you want to have a bowl of carbs and protein for breakfast or need a warm bowlful of hugs before bedtime, Cream of Wheat can do both for you and give you a warm and fuzzy feel inside. 

But what is the difference between the two? Ask someone who has tried both, and they will tell you that they can hardly tell the difference in their taste.

That's because Malt O Meal and Cream of Wheat are quite similar in their composition. Their base is made of farina or milled wheat. 

In other words, Malt O Meal and Cream of Wheat are two different brands of farina. They serve the same purpose and taste similar.

Having said that, there are a few differences. Malt O Meal has a coarser texture in comparison to Cream of Wheat. So, when cooked, Cream of Wheat offers a smoother texture. 

The coarseness of Malt O Meal adds more bulk. As a result, the amount of the product needed to make you feel full is less than that of Cream of Milk, which is light and gritty. Also, note that there is a slight difference in their composition, even though the base of both products is made of wheat farina. 

If you have not yet understood from the name itself, Malt of Meal contains malted barley. Cream of Wheat does not include this ingredient.

Instead, it has defatted wheat germ and guar gum. There are also a few differences in the additives used, but they don’t make discernible differences to the taste. 

What is Farina

So it’s clear - both Malt O Meal and Cream of Wheat are brands of farina. But what exactly is farina? It is nothing but milled wheat. 

You can always count on the Latin language to make everything sound exotic, right? Wheat middlings, i.e., wheat germ and endosperm, are all milled to produce farina. 

Farina is a popular base for making porridge, a hot meal that can keep you filled for a long time. It is the kind of meal that can get your belly filled in the morning so you can survive for several hours.

It's also like a hug in a bowl to warm your heart when you have had a day that needs to end with comfort food.

Farina is also used in making cakes and other desserts, besides being made into the crust of pies or cooked like farofa or polenta.

Farina adds a mild taste to the porridge, even with the addition of milk and sugar. So, fruits, nuts, chocolate, spices, and other items are usually added to make it interesting. 

Farina is the perfect comfort food, rich in good carbs from wheat. So, it can be an energizing meal and give you a heavy dose of iron, and it is also quite filling.

But you also have to be extra-careful about the ingredients you put into making farina. Besides, if you’re avoiding carbs or gluten, farina is a strict no-no. 

A Little about Malt O Meal

Malt O Meal is a brand of farina from the house of MOM Brands Company. Headquartered in Minnesota, the company is the producer of breakfast cereals for the people of America.

It has put up intense competition against other breakfast cereal brands like General Mills and Kellogg's. 

Malt O Meal has been in business for a century. Today, it is a household name in America. Malt O Meal is now available in thirty different variants to add something exciting to the breakfast bowl.

There’s something for everyone on the list, and if you don’t like what you try. You can even get your money back.

Something about Cream Of Wheat

Cream of Wheat is even older than Malt O Meal, as it hit the shelves in America in 1893 by wheat millers in North Dakota.

More than a century has passed since then, and the product has been owned by different companies. There are several flavors of this product, divided into three categories. 

Cream of What is one of the market leaders when it comes to farina. You’ll even find to-go cups so that you can carry your breakfast with you when you are in a hurry.

Apart from farina, Cream of Wheat also has a version made with rice. If you have celiac disease or gluten allergy, you can try the Cream of Rice.

Is Malt O Meal Healthy?

A bowl of Malt O Meal, made using 3 tbsp of the product, can make a filling breakfast. It will give you 120 calories.

You will get a healthy dose of complex carbs from wheat and barley, and the meal contains no fat or cholesterol. It also has protein, potassium, vitamins, and iron, giving you a healthy meal.  

But, if you are trying to lose weight by following a low-carb or no-carb diet, this product is definitely not for you.

You must also note that if you have celiac disease or gluten allergy, you should avoid this product at all costs as it contains wheat and barley, both of which are dangerous for you. 

Is Cream of Wheat Healthy?

Cream of Wheat is also similar to that of Malt O Meal in terms of calorie count and nutrient content. A bowl of it contains 110 calories with no fat and cholesterol.

It does have lots of complex carbs and other micronutrients that are important for your health. It can make a hearty meal for adults and kids. 

Cream of Wheat is a vegetarian source of iron. It is required for the transportation of iron, production of red blood cells, and DNA synthesis.

It also prevents anemia. It also contains B vitamins that help boost brain functions, produce energy, and synthesize DNA. It also contains selenium, which is an antioxidant.

Why People Love Malt O Meal and Cream of Wheat

Malt O Meal and Cream of Wheat are top-rated farina brands in America. They make a hearty meal in the morning and keep you going for the rest of the day.

It's healthy and filling and great for children and adults who are not allergic to gluten. They are American breakfast favorites. 

For about a century, people have been eating it. Now, there's a sense of nostalgia associated with them.

They are also delicious, especially with fruits and sugar added to them, and now, they are also available in different flavors. You can put what you want in them and make them both sweet and savory.

The best thing about these farina meals is that they are easy to make. The traditional way of cooking farina is on the stovetop.

You can use a microwave oven or slow cooker to do that, too. Versatile, right? The instant-cook versions, offered by both the brands, take no more than a couple of minutes to cook.

You can make a different farina bowl every single day. Keeping it as the base of the porridge, it is easy to add different flavors and ingredients.

From honey and fruits to cheese and butter, you can play around and experiment with your choice of toppings. That’s how versatile farina is. No wonder people love it!   

Farina Recipes

Both Malt O Meal and Cream of Wheat are really easy and quick to prepare. You just need to put 3 tbsp of the dry powder in a cup of water and add other ingredients - and your farina breakfast will be ready.

But did you know that you can use it for cooking other delicious treats, too? Let’s take a look!

a) Banana Pudding

Let’s start with a delicious banana pudding recipe that everyone in your family will fall in love with! 

Ingredients:

  • Malt O Meal (Berry Colossal Crunch) - 8 cups
  • Instant pudding mix (vanilla) - 3.4 oz
  • Cold milk - 2 ½ cups
  • Whipped toppings - 16 oz ( 2 containers)
  • Bananas (large) - 4 pieces 

Instructions: 

  1. Start by slicing the bananas into thin slices and dividing them into two parts.   
  2. Take a large bowl and put the milk into it. Add 2 cups of farina and allow the mixture to sit for about 10 minutes, until set. 
  3. Drain the mix to remove the softened cereal bits and measure the milk to see if you have at least two cups of the farina-infused milk.  
  4. Put the pudding mix into the mixing bowl and transfer the milk back to it from the measuring cup. Whisk the mix for about 2 minutes to make it smooth, and let it sit for 5 minutes. 
  5. Add 8 oz of thawed whipped topping and 1/3rd of the banana slices, and fold them in to combine everything properly. 
  6. Take a large serving bowl and layer its bottom with a cup of the cereal. Add ⅓rd of the banana slices and put about 1/3rd of the mixture you made on top. 
  7. Repeat the layering process, starting with 2 cups of the cereal, another ⅓rd of the bananas, and half of the mixture. 
  8. Add another 8 oz of whipped topping and spread the remaining cup of cereal on top before letting it sit in the refrigerator to set.        

It’s ready! You can top it off with more fresh banana slices if you want. From adults to children, everyone will enjoy this recipe.

b) Chocolate and Cinnamon Milkshake

Here’s a simple recipe to give milkshakes an extra edge!

Ingredients:

  • Vanilla ice cream - 2 cups
  • Milk - Half cup
  • Cream of Wheat (Cinnabon) - 2 packets
  • Chocolate syrup - ¼ cup
  • Chocolate - To garnish
  • Whipped cream - As topping
  • Cherry - As topping


Instructions:

  1. In the electric blender, put all the ingredients except the chocolate, whipped cream, and cherry. 
  2. Blend everything at high speed to get a smooth mixture.  
  3. Pour the drink into glasses and garnish with chocolate shavings, cream, and cherries. 

Your milkshake is ready to serve!

c) White Chocolate and Cranberry Cookies

Here’s a recipe for which you can use either Malt O Meal or Cream of Wheat, as long as you use the original flavor variant. 

Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour - 1 ⅔ cup
  • Farina cereal - Half cup
  • Baking soda - Half tsp
  • Salt - ¼ tsp
  • Butter (softened) - 1 ½ stick
  • Brown sugar - Half cup
  • Granulated white sugar - ⅓ cup
  • Egg - 1 piece
  • Vanilla extract - 1 tsp
  • White chocolate chips - 11.5 oz
  • Cranberry raisins - 1 cup
  • Directions

    1. Start by preheating the oven to 375 degrees. Meanwhile, take a cookie sheet and grease it. 
    2. In a bowl, add flour, baking soda, salt, and farina cereal, and blend everything properly. 
    3. In another bowl, add butter and the two types of sugar, and beat them with an electric mixer. Continue at medium speed to get a creamy mix.
    4. Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the mix and beat again until it’s light and fluffy. 
    5. Next, add the cereal and mix on low speed. Then, put chocolate chips and cranberry raisins and stir everything together.   
    6. Take the greased cookie sheet and put the cookie dough onto it, spoon by spoon. 
    7. Bake for 9-11 mins, until your cookies become golden brown. 
    8. Let the cookies rest for a minute on the sheet and transfer them to the wire rack to let them cool off completely. 

    Your farina cookies are ready to be devoured at any time! Keep them in an air-tight jar and store them in a cool and dry place.  

    Final Words:

    It can be concluded that there are a few small differences in the texture and composition of Malt O Meal and Cream of Wheat.

    But they are generally similar in taste, and you can replace one with the other for your breakfast porridge. You can also use them for other desserts like puddings, cookies, and more.

     You must remember that both are made of milled wheat, and they can be harmful to you if you are allergic to gluten.

    You can use semolina, polenta, oatmeal, or grits as a replacement. But if you don't have such problems, you can enjoy a nice warm bowl of farina for an energizing start to the day.  

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