Kawki from Filfla Chilli Co. A Bold New Flavour You Need to Try
- omgfoodmalta
- Jul 20
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 21
Filfla Chilli Co. is back with Kawki, a daring cocoa chutney with chilli and rosemary. We tried 3 recipes to share with you.
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You might already know Filfla Chilli Co. for their range of handmade Maltese chutneys. Last year, we wrote about how their jars of chilli-spiked spreads had quietly worked their way into our daily meals. It wasn’t hype.
The brand has since earned three awards at the European Hot Sauce Awards - Filfli getting gold in the chutney division, Buwgi earning bronze in the Chilli Paste category, and Basli getting bronze in the Freestyle division.
Filfla Chilli Co. recently also earned the 'Premju Ä ieħ l-ArtiÄ¡janat' from the Malta Crafts Foundation in recognition of excellence in craftsmanship, innovative product ideas, and key contributions to the local artisan sector, and scored the best plant-based products award in the Malta Food Management Awards 2025.
A solid endorsement for anyone who still thinks chutney is just a sidekick to cheese.
Now they’ve introduced a new product called Kawki. It is a paste made with cocoa, rosemary and chilli crunch. That combination sounds odd on paper, but once you taste it, it starts to make sense. It sits somewhere between sweet and savoury, with a little heat and a strong herbal note. It can go in more dishes than you’d expect.
We took a jar home and started experimenting. Some combinations were forgettable, but others were worth repeating. Here are the three recipes that showed us what this paste is capable of.
What is Kawki from Filfla Chilli Co.?
Filfla Chilli Co. is a Maltese company that focuses on making small-batch chutneys and spreads. The products often use local ingredients and avoid shortcuts. They have a clear style, and it usually involves a bit of spice and a good balance of flavour.
Kawki is described as a cocoa chutney with chilli and rosemary. It is not quite a spread and not quite a sauce. The texture is thick but easy to work with. The cocoa brings a mild sweetness, the chilli adds a slow burn, and the rosemary provides a strong herbal note that lasts.
You can eat it on its own, but it works best when added to something else. It adds flavour, but it does not try to dominate everything. Once you understand how it behaves in a dish, it becomes easy to use.
What Can I Make with Kawki?
We avoided cheese boards and instead focused on dishes that could work in summer. These three ideas use basic ingredients but show off what Kawki can do.
Beef Tagliata with Kawki Drizzle
We grilled a piece of beef and sliced it into strips. Then we placed it over rocket leaves and shaved some parmesan on top. A spoonful of Kawki was warmed gently and spooned over just before serving.
The paste gave the meat a deeper flavour without making it too sweet. The cocoa and rosemary worked with the beef, and the chilli was just noticeable. It felt like something you could serve to guests without much effort.
Banana and Kawki Sourdough Toast
This was not an obvious choice, but it worked better than expected.
We toasted a slice of sourdough bread, topped it with caramelised banana slices, and topped it with a small spoonful of Kawki. We also added a pinch of French sea salt for that added umami, which really balances out all the sweetness of the caramelised banana.
The result was slightly sweet, a bit savoury, and mildly spicy. It is not a breakfast for everyone, but it is a good change from the usual toast and jam. It also goes well with strong black coffee.
Kawki Crostini with Ricotta and Orange Zest
This one is easy to prepare and looks good on a plate.
We toasted small slices of bread, added a layer of ricotta, and finished with Kawki, some orange zest and chopped pistachios. The creaminess of the ricotta helped soften the chilli, while the orange lifted the cocoa. The pistachio took flavour just complemented both!
It is a simple idea that works for an aperitif or a starter. It does not need a lot of ingredients, and it holds up well on a platter.
What Else is in the Filfla Chilli Co. Range?
While Kawki is new, the rest of the Filfla Chilli Co. range is still available and still worth trying. These include Maltese chutneys and chilli spreads with different levels of heat and sweetness.
Xemxi, the Orange and Habanero Jam is sweet at first and gets warmer as you eat. It goes well with grilled chicken or hard cheeses. Basli, the Caramelised Onion, Stout Beer and Smoked Chilli relish is more savoury and fits nicely in sandwiches or alongside roast pork.
Filfli, the Sundried Tomato, Carob Syrup an Red Chilli Chutney has a deeper tomato flavour and works in pasta or as a spread. Buwgi, the Olive, Sultana and Green Chilli Tapenade is a briny, herby creation with the added punch of green chillies and marjoram.
Kawi is the hottest in the range. Be careful with amounts unless you are one of those who (like us) enjoy serious heat. Xemxi and Filfli are next in range in terms of heat.
Each product is made with a clear purpose. These are not jars to sit at the back of the cupboard. They are meant to be used.
Why Try Filfla Chilli Co. This Summer?
Filfla Chilli Co. makes condiments that are easy to use but still offer something different. You do not need to build an entire dish around them. You can add a spoon to leftovers or sandwiches and end up with a meal that tastes better than expected.
Kawki follows the same idea. It has a strong identity but still fits into simple meals. It does not need much work. That is useful during warmer months when no one wants to spend hours cooking.
Where Can I Buy Kawki?
Kawki is available on the Filfla Chilli Co. website and in selected gourmet shops around Malta. If you plan to use it regularly, buy more than one jar. It does not last long once you start experimenting with it.
Should I Try Kawki?
Kawki is not for everyone. If you prefer soft, neutral flavours, you might not enjoy it. But if you like foods that surprise you or add a bit of contrast, it is worth trying.
It has a strong flavour, but it is not aggressive. It works well when used in small amounts and paired with the right ingredients. It is different, but not difficult.
We will be keeping a jar in our fridge. It has earned its place.