Maltese Breakfast with a Difference

Orange marmalade spread on bread

Extra Virgin olive oil and Olives

Olive oil and mint on crispy local bread

For more info about eco and agri tours, farm visits, and tasting sessions drop me a line on jeanette@merill.com.mt or visit our website www.merill.com.mt.

Smell the freshly baked bread in the village of Ħal-Qormi

Freshly baked bread - Photo: Jeanette Borg

As part of my daily routine, I walked through the village of Ħal-Qormi this morning, to buy freshly baked bread. Early in the morning, most of the villagers go shopping, others do their daily chores, while some enjoy a coffee while chatting with their neighbours. The smell of the freshly baked bread is simply amazing here. As the sun rises, the day gets busier when the market stalls are set up around the Parish church of St. Sebastian. The village gets increasingly busy by midday as shoppers from other villages come along to the market to buy fresh produce and other groceries.

Ħal-Qormi is also known as the Bread Making village. It is still to date, the village that has the largest number of traditional bakers operating bakeries that are several centuries old. So what's so special about this bread? Maltese traditional bread is characterised by a crispy outer crust and a spongy inside. The taste is particular given that sour dough is kneaded and let to rise. A loaf of bread can easily be turned into a delicious lunch by just adding olive oil, tomatoes, olives, capers, salt and pepper.

Traditional cheescakes (Pastizzi) in front of St. Sebastian Parish Church - Photo: Christian Borg

Tourists often ask me, "So how did these traditional bakeries survive in this industrial age?". Well, we're lucky about that and it's thanks to the Maltese people who choose to buy fresh bread daily, thus supporting this local traditions.

After visiting Ħal Qormi and other villages around the Maltese Islands, you'll realise that it's not just about sun and sea, resorts and nightlife. There is much more to discover! Whether you choose to stay at a hotel in St. Julian's or rent a village house away from the sea side areas, these core villages are no more than 20 minutes away (by car). 

Should you make up your mind to experience all this, drop us a line on info@merillecotours.com or visit our website for more details. One of our local guides can pick you up from where you're staying and guide you through these hidden treasured of Malta and Gozo. We offer a range of private tours for couples and families as well as group tours, so feel free to contact us :)

Saħħa għalikem (Good health to all of you)

Jeanette Borg

Merill Eco Tours

Maltese culinary experience

Malta is literally a hub for Mediterranean food and culture. Almost everyone enjoys eating good food, let alone traditional food from a country with a culinary history that is as old as mankind.
It is the time to start picking strawberries while there are almost no oranges left. Well, we can still take you to harvest oranges and mandarins to one of our secret orchards ;)
Having a nice afternoon coffee with Lenten sweets is an excellent treat for long winter days.
If you come to Malta, you cannot do without tasting Maltese bread. Crispy and crunchy crust with soft sour dough. Our bakers from Qormi still bake the traditional way & do their work with patience and dedication.

For more info about our experiences, visit our website or email us!

Bakery turned into a unique tourism attraction in Malta

Hey Merill Fans!

We're proud to be the first to launch the official promo of the artisan bakery now open in Valletta. Mr. Carmelo Debono, also known as Nenu, had been dreaming about this project for many years. His main concern was that the knowledge about traditional local bread and recipes was being lost over time. The old bakery that suited this project, was in ruins when Nenu stepped into it for the first time. No one thought that it would have been converted into such an attraction three years later. 

The stone oven is now fully functional, and is complemented with a cosy restaurant, museum, and a state of the art kitchen to support the Head Chef Joseph Magri and his team. The menu has been carefully designed to ensure that all the ftiras would bring about a fantastic culinary experience to all those who experience it.  

The Hon. Minister Mario De Marco officially inaugurated the venue today, together with his Excellency Fra. Paul Cremona OP. The Ministers speech, outlined the importance of sustainable tourism and the pride all the Maltese people have towards bread, mostly Il-Hobza Maltija. Dr. De Marco also mentioned the importance of EU funding, since projects can be tailor made to Malta's specific needs. 

Anyone who feels like a quick snack, lunch or dinner, can walk to "Nenu the Artisan Baker", and order one of the Ftiras full of delicious local ingredients. While the ftira is being baked, one can enjoy a video relating the history of Maltese bread and Nenu's career in baking. Furthermore, an interactive experience can also be booked for groups who wish to enjoy the actual making of the ftira!

For enquiries about the "Ftira Interactive Experience", drop us a line on info@merillecotours.com   

Our Daily Bread at Casal Fornaro

The old streets of the bread making village, Qormi, have been once again turned into one big feast to celebrate traditional bread. Qormi is also known as Citta Pinto, named after Grandmaster Emanuel Pinto de Fonseca who granted this village the level of a "city" in 1743. The roots of the old city are still well ingrained in traditions, architecture and local dialect. In order to promote the traditional bread of Malta, two whole evenings of activities are underway.

Today has been fantastic. The streets were well lit and full of aromas coming from stalls of bread, biscuits and traditional nougat. A 230-foot-long baguette was prepared and sold in aid of Puttinu cares, a charity organisation. 

Tomorrow will be the second and last evening of Casal Fornaro. Live bands and traditional music will fill the streets with pleasant sounds. More delicious foods and sweets will be freshly prepared for the large crowds expected to visit this amazing village. 

Photos by Christian Borg

Traditions Fair at Mgarr - 8th July 2011

Mgarr Parish Church in the distance

tractors, implements and other farming equipment

Dinner!

Cane work

I just couldn't resist this

different kinds of local bread

feeding 10!

l-Għannejja (folk singers & musicians)

Aromatic herbs stand

Yesterday was one of those hot summer afternoons here in sunny Malta. This didn't seem to bother the farmers and organisers of the Traditions Fair that was organised at Mgarr. Livestock, displays of machinery, demonstrations of traditional farming practices and obviously food. The smell or roast potatoes was lovely. 

Around 500 persons attended this event and I must say that it was very well organised. Eman Vella who is an MRRA official but also the Vice Mayor of Mgarr explained to us the purpose of having such a fair and the commitment of the council to keep the village traditions alive.

Mgarr is one of the top rural villages of Malta. There are several hamlets in Mgarr, such as Bingemma. These areas are still farmed and the products originating from them are the fruit of fertile soil, knowledgeable farmers and hard work.

If you're planning to visit Malta, you can't miss our Mgarr tour! We can advice you in advance as to when is the best time to come to Malta, so that you can also enjoy one of the rural activities and events organised throughout the year.

Qormi the bread making village Malta will be entering the Guinness book of Records very soon!

Proud to be from Qormi!

Qormi bakers preparing world's biggest loaf - Times of Malta

Maltese Bread - European Cuisines

Breaking Bread - Malta Inside Out

A loaf affair in Qormi - Times of Malta