The Country Food Similarity Index is a statistically-based attempt to quantify how similar the food in one country is relative to another. By comparing the weight of raw food ingredients used in each country, a score is assigned that reflects the degree of similarity between the respective countries. The methodology is exactly the same for each country studied.
The Most Similar Cuisines to Maltese Food
Malta is an island nation located in the Mediterranean Sea. Four of the five countries with the most similar food are also considered to be Mediterranean countries within Europe. In addition, four of the five are predominately Catholic. However, Malta’s food has more of an Arab influence.
- Luxembourg is geographically distant and not directly bordering the Mediterranean, but it surprisingly shares some culinary similarities with Malta. Both countries have influence of both Mediterranean and North European food on their diet, as Malta was colonized by the British. Although Luxembourg is landlocked, it tends to eat more seafood than other countries.
- Italy is the closest country to Malta, so it is no surprise that Italian cuisine has many similarities with Malta’s. Tomatoes, garlic, onions, and an array of herbs are fundamental ingredients in both nations. Given their coastal locations, fresh seafood is popular in these countries as well. Both countries consume a lot of pasta as well.
- France is on Italy’s northwestern border. Both France and Malta love to eat a variety of different breads. In addition, cheese is often served as an appetizer or snack in Malta, like in France. Lemons and oranges are used in both Maltese and French cooking, in both sweet and savory applications. Think of lemon in fish dishes or orange in desserts.
- Portugal does not border the Mediterranean, but is considered to be a Mediterranean country. Both countries have coastlines teeming with fresh catches, which form the cornerstone of many traditional dishes. Grilled fish and seafood platters are ubiquitous in both Maltese and Portuguese restaurants.
- Montenegro is in the Balkans, but it also borders the Mediterranean Sea. Dishes like lampuki pie (fish pie) in Malta and Montenegrin fish stews showcase their coastal influences. The use of fresh herbs, garlic, and tomatoes in both cuisines further emphasizes their Mediterranean roots.
The Least Similar Cuisines to Maltese Food
Four of the five countries with the least similar food to Malta are located in Africa. These countries also have a warmer climate. Moreover, these five nations are significantly less developed than Malta. Neither wheat bread nor pork are commonly eaten in these countries.
- Chad is a sparsely populated, landlocked country in Africa that is mostly desert. Chad’s cuisine is also far different from Malta’s. It heavily relies on staple foods like millet, sorghum, rice, corn, and beans, which form the basis of its dishes. Another reason is that its people are mostly Muslim, so they do not consume a lot of pork.
- South Sudan is another landlocked country in Africa. Cassava is its staple food, however the country eats its share of sorghum as well. Porridge is one of the most popular dishes in the country. Unlike in Malta, cheese is rarely consumed in the South Sudan.
- Central African Republic is a landlocked African country that borders both Chad and South Sudan. Cassava and yams are two of the most commonly eaten ingredients in the country. Furthermore, taro and bananas make a much greater share of the diet in Central African Republic than Malta.
- Micronesia is a group of small islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It relies heavily on seafood, tropical fruits, and root crops as a result. The country’s relative isolation has limited its exposure to foreign influences. Micronesian cuisine tends to focus more on the natural flavors of ingredients.
- Democratic Republic of Congo is another French-speaking country on this list. Cassava is the dominant staple food in the country, unlike in Malta, where wheat and potatoes are more prevalent. Freshwater fish is also more commonly eaten in Congo than in Malta as well.
Full Food Similarity Ranking of Countries and Territories
Malta’s Most Common Food Ingredients
Protein: Beef, Pork
Fruit: Banana, Orange
Vegetable: Tomato, Onion
Starch: Wheat, Potato
Primarily based on 2020 data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the U.N.