Milka Haselnuss chocolate bar

Milka is one of Europe's most iconic chocolate brands, recognized worldwide for its distinctive lilac packaging and the 'Milka cow.' The brand was originally created in 1901 by the Swiss chocolatier Philippe Suchard in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. Its name is a clever portmanteau of the German words for milk (Milch) and cocoa (Kakao).

While its roots are Swiss, Milka's production moved significantly toward Germany over the last century, with the primary manufacturing hub now located in Lörrach, Germany. The brand has undergone several ownership changes in its history, evolving from Suchard to Jacobs Suchard, and then to Kraft Foods.

Today, Milka is owned by the American multinational snacks company Mondelez International, which took over the brand following the demerger of Kraft Foods in 2012. As of 2026, it remains a flagship brand in the Mondelez portfolio, continuing to use Alpine milk as a key ingredient and maintaining its strong market presence throughout Europe and beyond.