Welsh cheese connoisseur supports British farmers throughout the pandemic

·
Food
·

Local cheese company, Tŷ Caws, continues to support and sell the best of British cheese throughout lockdown in Wales

Tŷ Caws thrives on being able to deliver the best of British cheese directly to customers. Credit : Owen Davies

Tŷ Caws, local cheese distributor, provides a trading platform for British farmers in crisis. The company has and continues to sell British produced cheese to Cardiff amidst the 2020 pandemic.

British farmers are subject to price cuts and deferred payments during what has been a challenging year for the dairy industry.

In a statement by the Welsh Parliament, Member of the Senedd Paul Davies says the dairy sector is a crucial component in agricultural production. This year’s global pandemic has caused a realignment among the supply chain.

Source local, Buy local

Owen Davies has spent 18 years in the cheese industry and brings what he has learnt back to his roots in Cardiff.

He recognised a gap in the market for selling British farmed and produced cheese in Cardiff and says it is really important for his company to differentiate themselves and to keep things local.

Tŷ Caws fulfils this mission in vending the cheese of independent cheese producers.

I’ve made cheese and it’s a labour of love

Owen understands the difficulties farmers face when they don’t receive the money for milk.

Farmers have had to diversify and branch out into cheese making.

Tŷ Caws, meaning cheese-house, celebrates the technicality that cheese-processing requires, “I’ve made cheese and it’s a labour of love”, explains Owen.

Owen Davies left behind a successful career in London six years ago and returned to Wales eager to share his love for cheese with his homeland. Credit : Owen Davies

The cheese loving expert sells a collection of cheeses made by small independent businesses every Saturday at local Cardiff Markets across Roath, Rhiwbina, Pontcanna and Riverside.

4 British cheeses Owen distributes to the Cardiff markets and via the Tŷ Caws website:

  • Golden Cenarth – Welsh cider-washed cheese made near Newcastle Emlyn in West Wales. Extra tasty when baked.
  • Cornish Yarg – Creamy and citrusy cheese that gets crumblier nearer the centre. Cornish nettles wrap round the rind to give it a rich green colour on the outside.
  • Beauvale – British take on a Gorgonzola Dolce made by a family of Stilton makers, Cropwell Bishop. The soft & creamy texture comes from the Peak District produced milk used in the curdling process.
  • Hafod – Buttery & creamy cheddar made in the Welsh town of Lampeter. The cheese is curated from the farm’s own Ayrshire cows then the cheese is cared for at least 12 months before distribution.

Owen says he is overwhelmed by the support of locals coming out to the market every weekend. When this hasn’t been possible due to lockdown, he has experienced ongoing support through his online shop.

The support of Cardiff’s online community enables the company to thrive in its mission.

Owen emphasises, “They say cheese is like 365 vintages a year because every day you are working with different milk. As cheese-makers you have to adapt.”