For many years now Master Group has been using Maltese produce to make what has now become a household name in the locally made traditional Maltese liqueurs, Zeppi’s.

The Rummiena liqueur, produced entirely from Maltese pomegranates is the fourth in Master Group’s successful Zeppi’s range of liqueurs. The latter, considered as one of Master Group’s flagship brands consists of four different liqueurs namely the Bajtra (prickly pear), Honey, Anisette and now, the newly launched Rummiena liqueur.

“We are proud to announce this milestone product in the development of the Zeppi’s brand, a brand which sees its history embedded in the very start of what today is Master Group. In fact, the production of the Anisette liqueur was the very first activity carried out by Madlien, Master Group’s Chairman Giuseppi Camilleri’s mother,” explains Etienne Mallia from Master Group’s sales and marketing.

“Like the other previous three liqueurs, the Rummiena is a true reflection of the genuine taste of Maltese produce. The local abundance of the pomegranate fruit encouraged Master Group to produce this liqueur from the enigmatic, apple-sized fruit of glorious colours and curious seeds. The Rummiena liqueur is being produced with the same process adopted for the other traditional liqueurs in the Zeppi’s range and also happens to be the first product produced in Master Group’s new production plant in San Gwann,” announced Mr Mallia.

Zeppi’s Rummiena liqueur saw its debut inside the airport’s store at the end of summer, reaping some very positive sales results for Master Group, confirming the product as a market leader thanks to its exposure to the tourist trade at all bottle shops and in all souvenir outlets. “Besides being a definite representative of genuine Maltese taste, its rich flavours and colour make it a very versatile cocktail base. The entire Zeppi’s brand is packaged in different sizes, in attractive, sturdy boxes and makes an ideal souvenir or gift since it is also a long-lasting product. Master group is very proud of this brand and the success it is enjoying and we have invested very heavily into marketing the brand.

Punica granatum from where the word “pomegranate” is derived, was first native to a region stretching from Iran to the Himalayas in northern India, and later spread to the Mediterranean and the US. The ancient Greeks thought of it as the fruit of the dead, the Persians believed its seeds made its warriors invincible, while in China it symbolised longevity.

In Malta, where it has been cultivated for centuries, the fruit has long been associated with medicinal properties and with abundance as witnessed by local shrines and paintings devoted to the Madonna tar-Rummiena (Our Lady of the Pomegranate).