Gastronomy

Have you ever come across a Maltese Christmas drink called Imbuljuta tal-Qastan? It is a traditional winter drink made from chestnuts and cocoa, closely linked to Christmas customs in Malta. Locals associate it with Midnight Mass and quiet winter evenings rather than tourist festivities. Although it is rarely mentioned outside the islands, it has been part of Maltese culture for generations. Imbuljuta is thicker and more aromatic than ordinary hot chocolate, with hints of spices and citrus peel.

Have you spotted those colourful cactus fruits along Maltese roadsides and wondered what they are – and whether you can actually eat them? Bajtar tax-xewk, Malta’s prickly pear, is sweet, iconic, and a little tricky if you don’t know how to handle it. Here’s a simple guide to peeling it safely, what it tastes like.