Maltese Culinary Traditions Then and Now

qaghaq tal-ghasel malta

Every country has its own culinary traditions, and experiencing these traditions in person is part of the beauty of travelling. Feasts and celebrations are often accompanied by traditional foods, enjoyed solely during that event. As often happens, things may change over time.

Today, we shall be listing three famous Maltese food items, which were typically prepared for specific events, but which are now enjoyed throughout the year.

  • Honey rings adorn confectionary windows all year round. Originally, this sweet was a celebrative food available solely during the Christmas period. The earliest visual representation of the 𝑄𝑎𝑔ħ𝑎𝑞 𝑡𝑎𝑙-𝐺ħ𝑎𝑠𝑒𝑙 [honey ring] in Malta to-date was painted by Pasquale Leonetti, possibly of Sicilian origin, in 1762. The image above (main photo) was taken by Daniel Cilia and is located in the Refectory of the former Jesuit retreat in Floriana, a five-minute walk from The Phoenicia Malta hotel.
  • 𝐵𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑎 is a perfect  example to attest how aspects of culinary cultures change through time. Today revered as a popular broad bean dip, two centuries ago served during funerals. The eighteenth century Gozitan Canon Agius De Soldanis records how 𝑏𝑒𝑔ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑎 was shared with the poor among the processional congregation accompanying the deceased to the funeral mass.
  • Imbuljuta tal-Qastan is a Maltese drink traditionally served after Midnight Mass and on New Year’s Eve. It is made using cocoa, chestnuts, cloves, and citrus zest. Nowadays most households enjoy preparing this throughout the year, especially during the cold winter months, due to its warm and comforting ingredients.
imbuljuta tal qastan

On the contrary, the following is a popular beverage enjoyed worldwide but which was not originally associated with an event:

  • Today, mulled wine is enjoyed as a Christmas drink across numerous countries. Did you know, however, that spiced wine dates back to the Romans in the 2nd century? The warmth of this beverage helped them through the freezing winter months, whilst the spices were believed to help ward off illness and disease. In the 17th and 18th century it was also given to women during childbirth as it was believed to aid the process. Mulled wine only started becoming associated with Christmas during the late 19th century.
mulled wine malta christmas

At The Phoenicia Malta, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, we are proud of our culinary traditions, which is why our Executive Chef Daniel Debattista and his kitchen brigade often prepare such foods for our guests to enjoy.

Thank you to Taste History for these culinary insights.

Introducing Our New Spa

Deep Nature Spa at The Phoenicia Malta

Over the past five years, we have been working on renovating and conserving the historical building that forms our five-star premises. Among the many changes and additions, we have unveiled is our gorgeous spa, which was opened just a few weeks ago.

Located to the right of the entrance lobby, our spa is a haven of relaxation and self-care housed in a cathedral of light and natural elements. Offering bespoke wellbeing solutions that have been created for the modern traveller and visitor, the spa is run by Deep Nature.

This French company, which owns and manages spas located in five-star locations across the globe, has an ethos which speaks to us directly and can be summed up in three key words: naturality, simplicity and generosity. Indeed, the spa thrives on being eco-friendly (from its construction to the products it uses), on keeping things simple (from minimal design to good, old human interaction), and on being generous (from providing our clients with an abundance of offerings to treatments being affordable and accessible).

The treatments you can find at Deep Nature Spa at The Phoenicia Malta include Immersion, Oxygen and Serenity massages, as well as regular and express manicures and pedicures, and waxing. Moreover, within the spa, you will also find a dedicated Fitness Club complete with state-of-the-art MATRIX machinery and an indoor pool bathed in natural light.

All this takes place in a beautiful building that was designed by the multi-award-winning AP Valletta. With their inspiration being ancient Roman baths and their benefits, the studio had a lot to grapple with as it created the spa: on top of the building being adjacent to one of Malta’s most historic hotels, the spa had to be developed around the 16th century fortifications that were discovered during its construction.

To do this, the building reinterprets the Art Deco elements of the Hotel while framing the beautiful fortified walls constructed out of local globigerina limestone. The design also works around minimalism and many locally-sourced elements. Through all this, the final result is a space that is meditative and soothing, and which makes the most of the beautiful views and the natural light.

Working on the interiors from concept stages was Design Director Peter Young, from Peter Young Designs, London, who was also responsible for the Hotel’s renovation. Peter’s vision for the spa was that the building shouldn’t feel separate to the Hotel but rather be an extension to the classic building.

Yet the spa had a purpose to serve: that of creating a space where outside life could be left behind. And this can certainly be seen from the route guests take upon entering the Deep Nature Spa at The Phoenicia Malta. The reception leads to Malta’s first Water Bar, and then to beautiful passages flanked by stone, marble and wood, and with ample natural lighting. These elements are then repeated in the various treatment rooms, which you can find before heading to the dramatic setting of the heated, indoor pool, as well as the traditional sauna and salt sauna.

Of course, the best way to experience all this is to see it and experience it for yourself. So, with that, we invite you to let the professional team at the Deep Nature Spa at The Phoenicia Malta take care of you and your well-being.

Currently, the Deep Nature Spa at The Phoenicia Malta is accessible to in-house guests only. COVID-19 measures are strictly adhered to.