Malta, the Soda of Latin America

Pepsi and Coca-Cola are the most popular sodas in the United States and in many parts of the world. That’s why it may be surprising to learn that there’s another beloved soda all around Latin America – it’s called Malta, and it’s readily available in many grocery stores throughout Florida, including Walmart and Publix.  

What is Malta?

Malta is a nonalcoholic lightly carbonated malt beverage. It is brewed from barley, hops, and water, and has a dark brown color. Although it’s comparable to a beer that’s not been fermented, due to its ingredients and stout-like color, Malta is very sweet, with some comparing its taste to molasses. Malta is enjoyed cold, either served in a glass with ice or in a chilled bottle. It is sometimes enjoyed with condensed or evaporated milk, for a creamy and dessert-like beverage.

The History of Malta

Most Malta is brewed in Latin countries, especially in the Caribbean. That’s why it may be surprising to learn that it actually originated in Germany. The popular drink came about when a malty dark beer was fermented until reaching only 2 percent alcohol by volume, resulting in a sweeter-than-usual drink. In the 1960s, the recipe was changed to its modern version, which consists of water, glucose syrup, malt extract and hops extract.

You may be able to try Malta at one of the Latin restaurants located near our apartments, close to The Villages, FL. If you want to find out about the benefits of living in PepperTree Apartment Homes, stop by for a tour of our community today.