Revolutionary icon Fidel Castro has made his first public appearance in three months – choosing the most unlikely of venues.

Once renowned for his fiery rhetoric, Cuba’s former President chose not a political congress or a state celebration for his latest declarations.

Instead his comments were reserved for a group of expert cheesemakers in Havana.

Said to be passionate about cheese production, the 88-year-old reportedly showed great interest in the techniques used and the quality achieved during his four hour visit on Friday to a research institute belonging to the Food Industry Ministry.

Cuban state TV showed Castro looking animated and well, and wearing a white windcheater, a plaid shirt and grey trousers.

There was not a word from him though about Cuba and the US restoring diplomatic ties after more than half a century.

In the twilight of his life, perhaps Fidel thought keeping quiet on that topic was the ‘mature’ thing to do.