Caws Teifi

Caws Teifi (caws is pronounced like Klaus without the ‘l’; Teifi like ‘Tivey’) claim to be the longest-established artisan cheesemakers in Wales. Caws is simply the Welsh for ‘cheese’, while the Teifi is a river not far from the farm where their cheese is made. The operation was founded in 1981 by a Dutch family, which explains why their cheese is made in the Gouda style.

They use unpasteurised, organic milk to make a number of variations on this signature product, including half a dozen or so with added flavourings. One of these (the first of them I’ve tried) has local ‘laver’ seaweed added to it. It’s an excellent pairing. The cheese is sweetly mild, while the seaweed adds a subtly complementary touch of marine saltiness.