Malta

Malta is a non-alcoholic, lightly carbonated beverage with a distinctive beer-like aroma and taste. It is brewed from barley, hops, and water, and some versions also include corn and caramel color. Malta can be enjoyed in its fizzy form, similar to beer or soda, or in a non-carbonated version akin to iced tea. Its dark color and slightly sweet, molasses-like flavor make it comparable to stout beer, but without the alcohol. Many people prefer to drink Malta over ice, and some enhance it by mixing it with condensed or evaporated milk for added richness.

Malta's origins can be traced back to Germany, where it began as Malzbier, a low-alcohol, malty dark beer. Over time, it evolved into the modern non-alcoholic beverage composed of water, glucose syrup, malt extract, and hops extract. Today, Malta is particularly popular in the Caribbean, where it is predominantly brewed, but it can also be found in regions with significant Caribbean populations. It is enjoyed in various countries along the Caribbean coast, parts of Africa, and around the Indian Ocean. A notable version, Malta Guinness, is brewed under license in several countries.

Some breweries fortify their Malta with Vitamin B complex, as the drink is naturally rich in B vitamins. Its dark color has earned it the nickname "black brewed beer" in some places. Interestingly, in Chile, "malta" refers to a type of dark beer called Schwarzbier. While some brands market Malta as "champagne cola" it is important to distinguish it from another beverage of the same name that has a bubblegum flavor.