Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Welsh cheeses for St David's Day


I meant to post this over the weekend however I'm just about still in time to pass on the info that there are some tutored tastings of Welsh cheese in the John Lewis food hall in Oxford Street later today - one at 5.15pm, one at 6.15 and one at 7.15. You're supposed to book ahead but I can't imagine they'll turn you away if there are places.

They also sent me a selection of Welsh cheeses to try and I was quite chuffed that I'd tried - and written about - all except two. They included Golden Cenarth, an award-winning washed rind cheese, Gorwydd Caerphilly, Hafod cheddar and Perl Las (above left) a salty, creamy blue cheese quite similar to Gorgonzola I only found out about recently.


The only ones I wasn't familiar with were Perl Wen (top right), a Brie-type cheese also made by Caws Cenarth and a block Pembrokeshire Extra Mature Cheddar (above, right). I'm inclined to be a bit sniffy about block cheddar but it was really quite mellow and appealing, more attractive to tell the truth than the Hafod which was tasting a bit rustic and cow-y, rather like Cantal which I've never been too keen on.

Anyway, point made. The Welsh do make some good artisanal cheeses as you'd expect given their terroir. Teifi is another one I like. And I'm sure you can find them at John Lewis over the next few days even if you miss today's sessions and tastings.

Incidentally the oatcakes, in the top pic, were rather nice too. And also Welsh but I can't tell you what they are as my husband has scoffed them and thrown away the packet.

3 comments:

Kavey said...

The only two I know of those are Caerphilly and Perl Las. Shall look out for the others. :)

Sally said...

Really glad you enjoyed them Fiona. The crackers were Mini Oatcakes from Popty’r Bryn - another Wales the True Taste Award winner

Fiona Beckett said...

Ah, thanks for that Sally. And very good they were too - as my husband will testify!

Do try the Golden Cenarth in particular, Kavey. Best cheese in the Organic Food awards last year.