Possibly Malta's best-known beverage is the non-alcoholic, amber-coloured Kinnie. Long a household name in Malta, it was introduced in 1952 as an alternative to the soda drinks proliferating after WWII. Of course, its recipe is a closely guarded secret, but the acquired taste is distinctly one of bitter oranges with extracts of the herb Artemisia absinthium colloquially known as wormwood. Kinnie is exported to seven countries and also produced in Australia under licence. In the stamp design, the bobbing Luzzu boat, seascape and slice of orange complement Kinnie's retro label and bottle.
On a different level are Malta's locally produced wines. With an abundance of vines, the Islands have been producing wine for centuries. The second stamp depicts a bottle of the local Gellewza grape wine made from a dark-skinned variety of grape that is indigenous to the Islands. Only a small volume is made from this little-planted variety, but it is increasingly found in blends, softening the spiciness of the wine, and adding a bright cherry flavour. Emerging from a family-run vineyard, Delicata's Gellewza grapes are traditionally grown on old bush vines which are largely dry farmed. The wine is unoaked, has a garnet colour and this stamp depicts a backdrop of Valletta.
The stamp shows the unusual yet popular Bajtra liqueur. Made by Marsovin, these liqueurs are based on ancient recipes dating to the Knights' presence in Malta and seek to reflect the warmth and fragrance of the Mediterranean. Bajtra liqueur is made from the fruit of the Opuntia Ficus- Indica, commonly known as the prickly pear. One may see these all over the Islands and which are harvested between August and September annually. The pulp of the fruit is then extracted, sieved, and fermented, by the addition of a yeast species. The liqueur is translucent, pink in colour and stands out beautifully against the backdrop of the citadel of Mdina.
Several popular craft beers have recently appeared on the local market. One such beer is the hop-blend known as San Blas - its name paying homage to the secluded red sandy beach located below the village of Nadur in Gozo. The deep amber colour of this Indian pale ale is dominated by the explosive character of a carefully selected hop blend that showcases the citrusy and peachy notes of American hop varieties, and the more subtle, spicy notes of its British counterparts. Our design for this stamp shows hops at the fore with San Blas beach in the background.
This SEPAC set of four stamps has been designed by Daniel Spiteri.
