Where To Buy The Best Local Produce Foods In Malta!

The Mediterranean diet is lauded as one of the world’s healthiest diets. Diets start with simple ingredients that, in this case, ultimately result in mouthwatering Maltese dishes such as stews, pies, desserts and open sandwiches. 

Despite its rocky, semi-arid terrain and limited agricultural land, Malta boasts top-quality fruits, veggies and artisanal products that continue to inspire professional chefs and cooking enthusiasts from all across the globe. 

Here are a couple of Maltese products you should sample during your trip, and purchase to take back home to share with your loved ones. 

Sea Salt

Salt is one of the main ingredients in any Maltese dish. Gozitan sea salt, in particular, is used to make sheep’s milk cheeselets, preserve vegetables and make sun-dried tomatoes. This type of salt is carefully harvested by specially-trained individuals who scrape up salt crystals from centuries-old salt pans.

Where to buy? From the Cini family’s tiny salt shop. It’s located right next to the Xwejni salt pans in Gozo. In addition to a bag of sea salt, the Cini family have decades of salt-related stories to partake with anyone who visits them. 

Olive Oil

Malta’s olive oil is like no other. The Maltese have perfected the art of olive oil production, as olive oil has been produced since Roman times. On the islands, olive oil is used abundantly in both simple and gourmet dishes. It’s a Maltese cuisine staple and encapsulates the Maltese way of life.

Where to buy? Sign up for a tasting tour at Tan-Nixxiegha Grove and pick up a couple of bottles to take back with you from Villa Bologna. Alternatively, Friends of the Earth Malta and Malta Products can ship a bottle of fine Maltese olive oil straight to your door. 

Gbejniet

Gbejniet (cheeselets in English) are synonymous with Malta’s sister island – Gozo. These small, round cheeses are produced using sheep milk, salt and rennet. They’re served fresh, sundried, salt-cured or peppered, and are all equally delicious. Reminisce about your trip to Malta by adding a gbejna to your sandwich or pizza. You’ll thank us later.

Where to buy? The gbejniet can be found at most major supermarkets in Malta. However, Gozo is the best place to sample and purchase top-quality cheeselets. We highly recommend stopping at Ta’ Rikardu in Gozo’s capital, Victoria, to sample Rikardu Zammit’s traditionally-prepared, scrumptious gbejniet. 

Kunserva

Simply put, kunserva is tomato paste with a Maltese twist. The iconic brand – Three Hills – uses summer-grown, juicy tomatoes and a mix of secret ingredients to produce Malta’s number one tomato paste.

Where to buy? Local brand Three Hills is the go-to kunserva brand and you can buy a can or a tube from any supermarket/market in Malta. If you’re craving some kunserva goodness, Magro and Malta Products can ship tubed or tinned kunserva right to your door. 

Bigilla

Bigilla is a traditional bean dip that’s made from dried Djerba beans (similar to fava beans) and a mixture of herbs, chilli and garlic. The result? A tasty spread that goes well with bread, veggies, crackers and nachos. 

Where to buy? Bigilla can be bought from any Maltese mini-market or supermarket. However, if you’re looking to source some extra special bigilla, you should check out some local street markets as some of the street hawkers sell homemade bigilla. 

Local Honey

Malta has long been known as the Mediterranean’s hub of honey. The islands’ honey comes from a blend of seasonal flora – and not just one specific flower. Furthermore, the Maltese honey bee is slightly different from other Mediterranean bees, making for truly unique honey that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. 

Where to buy? Jubilee Foods offers a selection of pure Gozitan honey – locally sourced from Gozitans beekeepers. Pick up a jar from their Jubilee Foods outlet in Victoria (Gozo), or Cafe Jubilee in Gzira or Valletta. 

Local Maltese Wine

The grape varieties that grow in Malta are the indigenous Ġellewża (red) and Girgentina (white). In addition to these two, international varieties are grown that produce a competitive Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon. 

Where to buy? Malta’s top wine producers – Marsovin, Emmanuel Delicata, Camilleri Wines, Montekristo and Meridiana – all offer wine tasting and vineyard tours. Furthermore, a selection of Maltese wines is distributed through mini-markets and supermarkets across the islands. There are also a growing number of wine festivals that are worth a visit, especially if you’re a wine aficionado!