Introduction: Maltese Breakfast
When it comes to breakfast, each country has its own unique cuisine style. Maltese breakfast is no exception, with a blend of Mediterranean and Arab influences. A typical Maltese breakfast consists of a variety of items such as bread, cheese, olives, pastizzi, and a range of beverages. The Maltese people believe in starting their day with a hearty meal, and their breakfast certainly reflects that.
Bread: The Staple of Maltese Breakfast
Bread is a crucial part of Maltese breakfast, and it comes in various forms such as hobz tal-Malti, ħobża tal-Malti, ftira, and ħobż biż-żejt. Hobz tal-Malti, also known as Maltese bread, is the most common type of bread. It is a crusty, sourdough-like bread with a soft center, and it is usually served sliced with a spread of butter and marmalade. Ħobża tal-Malti is a similar bread, but it is denser and has a longer shelf-life. Ftira is a type of flatbread with a hole in the middle and is traditionally served with tuna, olives, tomato, and onion.
Cheese and Olives: The Perfect Accompaniment
Cheese and olives are the perfect accompaniment to Maltese bread. Maltese cheese comes in various forms such as gbejniet, ġbejna, and ħġieġ. Gbejniet is a small, round cheese made from sheep or goat’s milk. Ġbejna is a soft cheese that is often flavoured with pepper or dried herbs. Ħġieġ is a hard cheese that is usually grated and served with pasta or vegetables. Olives are also a popular addition to Maltese breakfast, with the most common being the small, black Kalamata olive. They are usually served in a bowl with fennel seeds and olive oil.
Pastizzi: A Maltese Breakfast Delight
Pastizzi is a traditional Maltese breakfast pastry that is a firm favourite among the locals. It consists of crispy, flaky pastry filled with either ricotta or mushy peas. They are usually sold at pastizzerias and are a popular breakfast on the go option. Pastizzi is often served with a cup of tea or coffee and is a great way to fuel up for the day ahead.
Beverages: From Tea to Kinnie
Maltese breakfast is accompanied by a range of beverages, with tea and coffee being the most common. Tea is usually brewed with milk, and coffee is served in a variety of forms such as espresso, cappuccino, and latte. Kinnie, a Maltese soft drink, is also a popular beverage choice for breakfast. It is a bitter-sweet carbonated drink made from bitter oranges, herbs, and spices.
The Maltese Full Breakfast: A Hearty Start to the Day
The Maltese people believe in starting their day with a hearty meal, and this is where the Maltese full breakfast comes in. It consists of eggs, bacon, sausage, beans, and grilled tomato. It is usually served with Maltese bread and a cup of tea or coffee. The Maltese full breakfast is a great way to fuel up for the day ahead, especially if you have a busy schedule planned.
