Towards the end of last year, the Ministry for Rural Affairs and the Environment participated in the 23rd edition of the Agrofilm International Festival held in Nitra, Slovakia.

The documentary entitled A Taste of Carob placed Malta among the winners. An international jury awarded A Taste of Carob the prize of the Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Slovakia.

The annual festival attracts a large number of participants. This year, 92 documentary films from 23 countries around the world participated in the festival. The documentaries vie for the Grand Prix prize of the festival, prizes in four different categories, and prizes contributed by leading Slovakian institutions.

A Taste of Carob takes a look at the world of the carob, its history, botany, products, past and present uses, and at the same time highlights the carob’s connection to the many historical, natural and cultural aspects of the Maltese Islands. The carob’s importance as a source of food, fodder, honey, medicine and its seeds and wood is explored, while particular attention is given to the many processed products obtained from its pods that are generating new interest in this Mediterranean tree.

The job of creating this documentary was entrusted to Antoine Zammit, who was responsible for filming, direction and post-production. Carmelo Briffa, an official at the Department of Agriculture, carried out the research and, together with Anthony Parnis, wrote the script.

With this documentary Antoine Zammit adds another exceptional work to a series of prize-winning documentaries submitted to the festival. Previous prize-winning entries were Rehabilitation of Wied il-Qlejgha, The Maltese Cheeselet, A Pinch of Salt and A Glimpse of Wool.

Mention must be made of the many volunteers whose help was invaluable in the production of this highly interesting and informative documentary. Credit goes also to APS Bank, the sole sponsor, whose financial support made this film possible.