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

Special Functions Menu

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!

Restaurant

(+356) 2145 5470
(+356) 7927 3747

Email eat@thecliffs.com.mt

Discover

(+356) 7964 2380

Email discover@thecliffs.com.mt

The Cliffs Interpretation Centre
Triq Panoramika,
Dingli