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Wales does seem to be a really happening place if you are a discerning food lover! Here’s a roundup of some of my favourite Welsh products – all award winners – and where to buy them. By Jo Hill.
Chefs’ favourite
Both Bryn Williams and Gary Rhodes have described this wonderful sheep’s milk cheese as ‘outstanding’ – and it’s easy to see why. Dragons Back is a naturally rinded cheese made solely from sheep fed on home-grown crops and grass to ensure full traceability. It grates well, is ideal for cheeseboards and is delicious melted – I found that it went particularly well with the chutney featured below!
Chutney of choice
One of the best chutneys I’ve ever tasted, this organic green tomato and pear version from Pencae Mawr Farm Foods combines a tart acidity with the sweetness of pears. Black mustard seeds and ginger add a touch of pizzazz! £3.50 per jar from 01558 668613 or email OrganicChutney@f2s.com
Photo: Paula Beetlestone Can’t resist them…
Kate’s Brownies were my diet downfall: the most irresistible brownies ever (also available gluten-free), these award-winning chocolate and walnut morsels just beg to be eaten! Beautifully gift wrapped, they’d make the ideal gift; £14.99 for a gift-wrapped dozen, incl p&p. Available from Crumbles Catering (see link below).
A soft option
Blaenafon Cheddar Company’s Caws Gafr (goats cheese) is soft and creamy, made from the milk of Camarthenshire goats and available in four distinct varieties (natural, honey, lavender and garlic with lemon thyme) – unusual flavours that certainly lift goat’s cheese to another realm. £5 plus p&p.
www.chunkofcheese.co.uk
Vodka from Wales?
Yes – and jolly good it is too. Brecon Five Vodka is the new premium column distilled vodka (40% Abv) from Penderyn Distillery, the only distillery in Wales. Its pure smoothness and fruity flavour is derived from barley and wheat grain spirit, married with clear fresh spring water from the Brecon Beacons National Park. £15.50 incl p&p.
…or pesto?
Not your usual Italian staples, these pestos from Calon Lan are deliciously different. Pesto No.1 Green Camelina is packed with Omega 3 and Vitamin E and contains Camelina oil and seeds, parmesan, pine nuts and cashews, while antioxidant-packed Pesto No.2 Red Hemp with sun-dried tomatoes, hemp seeds and garlic is great with steamed vegetables or pasta; £3.95 for a 160g jar.
A Welsh classic
What a good idea – spreadable Welsh Rarebit from South Caernarfon Creameries. The archetypal comfort food, this made a great snack on toast when time was short to cook anything more substantial. Welsh beer and mustard added bite and tang. If you want to be more adventurous than I was, this would also be great as a topping for steak or chicken, or stirred into potatoes for mash with a difference; £2.50 from Booths supermarkets.
Beautiful beef
Edwards of Conwy Welsh beef comes from the lush, natural pastures of North Wales and, when available, from native breed Welsh Black. Traditionally matured for up to three weeks on the bone with the correct amount of fat cover, then vacuum packed to preserve the freshness, this beef has a flavour and texture that’s second to none; £5.28 for a 6oz fillet steak.
Teatime treats
I couldn’t eat Maddock’s Cakes from Wales fast enough (there goes the diet again!). These homemade, bakestone cooked Welshcakes are made from the finest quality currants, wheat flour, sugar, butter or margarine and eggs. Both the whisky and currant varieties capture the true taste of traditionally made Welshcakes; £9.99 for a box of 20.
Fruity flavours
I wasn’t sure what to expect from a fruit beer but the addition of dark fruits in season (eg, blackberries) gives the 100% natural Seasonal Fruit Beer a rounded sweetness that’s very appealing. Named after a rare breed of Welsh sheep, “Torwen” is the first seasonal fruit beer from Pen Lon Cottage Brewery, the Welsh artisan brewery which specialises in quality bottle conditioned boutique beers; £2.60 per 50cl bottle.
Toffee that’s easy on the teeth!
Caramel toffee with the texture of soft fudge, Toffudge from Uncle Peter’s Fudge Company came about as a happy accident. Uncle Peter says: "I was making some fudge for my family and without thinking used the wrong sugar. To try and correct the error I added some golden syrup and extra butter and cream. The result is Toffudge." Creamy and delicious, I defy you to eat just one piece! £2.85 for 225g gift box; loose fudge £9/kg. From farmers’ markets and local box schemes.
