Wild Fruit
Wild Fruit
Carob
Prickly Pear
Jujube
Bramble / Wild Blackberry
Hawthorn
Quince
Carob
Ceratonia siliqua
Ħarruba
Season: August – September
Carob Syrup / Candy / Flour / Liquor
One of the Mediterranean’s oldest and mature trees is the Carob. Did you know that The unit “carat”, used for weighing precious metal and stones, comes from an ancient Middle Eastern practice of weighing gold and gemstones against the seeds of the carob, each weighing 0.02g?! Today, one carat weighs 0.2g, meaning you need 10 carob seeds to have the same worth in weight of gold.
Prickly Pear
Opuntia ficus-indica
Bajtar tax-Xewk
Season: August – October
Jam / Chutney / Juice / Jelly / Salad / Raw
The Prickly Pear was brought over to Europe from America, following the discovery of the American continent in 1492. In Malta, the tree was probably introduced in 16th century and by time, it became part of the agricultural landscape with the bright red, wine-red, green or yellow-orange fruit often symbolising Maltese summers!
Jujube
Ziziphus zizyphus
Żinżel
Season: September – October
Condiment / Raw / Salads / Caramelised
Also known as the Chinese Date or Red Date, the small Jujube trees were probably introduced in Malta and the rest of Southern Europe. When immature, the fruit is green and tastes like an apple, but when ripe it becomes purplish-black, similar to dates.
Bramble/
Wild Blackberry
Rubus ulmifolius
Għollieqa
Season: September – October
Raw / Jam / Jelly
This brambly shrub is featured mainly by its spines, forming dense thickets, and often overgrowing other plants. The ripe dark purple mature fruit contains high quantities of Vitamin C, sugar and pectin.
Hawthorn
Crataegus monogyna
Żagħrun
Season: November – December
Condiment with game dishes / Raw / Caramelised / Salads
In the warm conditions of the Maltese Islands, the fruit develops more fruit sugars and has a fragrant sugary pulp with a slightly acidic flavour.
Quince
Cydonia oblonga
Sfejġel
Season: November – December
Jam / Chutney / Sorbet / Tarts / Pies
The fruit, which is closely related to apples and pears, cannot be eaten raw since it is very bitter and astringent, however it has a high concentration of natural pectin, making it ideal for jam production. At The Cliffs, we have revived the tradition of making Quince jam after three generations – it is said that a teaspoon of quince jam can be dissolved in boiling water for the relief of intestinal discomfort!
Our Specials Change Daily
Local Products
We give first preference to agricultural products available in the area according to the season and we also produce a wide range of local organic product including jams, marmalades, olive oil, savoury delicatessen, dried herbs and more.
The Herbs and Spices available are hand-harvested and packed from foraged plants and are produced in small quantities. Historical, cultural and local aspects have been considered in the selection of sweet produce such as jams, marmalades and preserves and Savoury produce.
The Extra Virgin Olive Oil sold at The Cliffs is a tribute to the oldest olive tree that is found at our estate down the cliffs. The olives are hand-picked from family-run groves from Dingli and are pressed exclusively using mechanical means.
Whatever you see, you can buy – take it home and share the taste with family and friends!
Triq Panoramika,
Dingli