Discover the Prickly Pear at The Snop House: A Maltese Delight

The Prickly Pear: Malta’s Iconic Cactus

The prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica), a member of the Cactaceae family, is a resilient plant originally from Mexico that has found a perfect home in the Mediterranean region, particularly in Malta. Known locally as “il-bajtra tax- xewk,” the prickly pear was introduced to Malta in the early 16th century. Its spread across the island is due to both human activity—sailors carried the leaves (or cladodes) as an anti-scurvy remedy—and birds that consumed the fruit and dispersed its seeds.

A Symbol of Maltese Heritage

The popularity of the prickly pear in Malta grew to such an extent that it was featured on the Maltese Coat of Arms from 1975 to 1988. Malta’s warm, sunny climate, with over 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, creates ideal conditions for this sun-loving cactus to thrive. To grow a prickly pear successfully, it is essential to plant it in the driest, hottest spot available in your garden.

Harvesting and Uses of the Prickly Pear

In Malta, the prickly pear is primarily cultivated for its fruit, though the young cladodes (or leaves) are also consumed as vegetables, especially in Mexican cuisine. The fruit, a fleshy berry with around 300 seeds per 160g, typically weighs between 150 and 400g and comes in various colors—yellow, red, white, and more—depending on the variety. Harvesting usually occurs in August and September.

Prickly pears can be enjoyed fresh or used to create a range of by-products, including juice, jams, jellies, and syrups. However, care must be taken when handling the fruit, as its skin is covered in tiny, sharp thorns.

Health Benefits of the Prickly Pear

Nutritionally, the prickly pear is exceptional, offering a high content of dietary fiber—beneficial for bloating, constipation, and gastric reflux—and a wealth of vitamins (A, B, and C) and trace elements, such as magnesium. The seeds are also prized in the cosmetics industry, where they are used to create skin and hair care products. Prickly pear oil, rich in fatty acids, vitamin E, and sterols, is particularly valued for its moisturizing and anti-aging properties, making it a common ingredient in anti-wrinkle and anti-dark circle treatments.

Enjoy Prickly Pear Delights at The Snop House

At The Snop House, we celebrate this local treasure by incorporating prickly pears into our breakfast offerings. Guests can enjoy prickly pear jam or, depending on the season, fresh prickly pears in mixed fruit salads. This not only allows our guests to savor a unique Maltese flavor but also provides them with the health benefits of this remarkable fruit, ensuring a nutritious start to their day.