Famous Welsh food and drink (2024)

The prime natural resources of Wales have shaped our culinary tradition. Welsh lamb is justifiably world famous, farmed on the lush mountains and valleys. Our cattle farming produces Welsh beef, most notably from the Welsh black cattle. Both Welsh lamb and beef have Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status.

Our coastline offers the best of fresh fish, from Pembrokeshire, the mussel farms of Bangor, to Anglesey Oysters and our famous laverbread, edible seaweed or ‘Welshman’s caviar’, collected from the shores of Gower.

Staple fruits of the land include oats, barley, wheat and vegetables, including the famous Welsh leek – an enduring symbol of Wales and found in traditional dishes, such as Glamorgan sausage and the hearty broth known simply as cawl.

Nothing showcases the Welsh tradition of simple wholesome fare more thancawl. It was once a staple of all Welsh cooking – containing all the goodness of the land in one pot and eaten daily. Every cawl would vary with the season, the region, and the cook.

Welsh food is also a glorious combination of tradition and diversity – the heritage of Welsh cooking blended with influences from immigrant populations from Italy and the Middle East who flocked to parts of Wales from the mid 18th– mid 19th century in search of work. Think of our outstanding Welsh Italian ice-cream parlours and cafes.

A typically traditional Welsh breakfast consists of bacon, eggs, laverbread and co*ckles. Welsh tea, traditionally a late afternoon ritual, would consist ofbara brith, ‘speckled bread’, a sweet fruit bread andWelsh cakes.Welsh rarebitis a luscious traditional supper.

Wales is well known for our beer. From one of the UK’s biggest family owned independent breweries,Brains, tolocal breweries- like Tiny Rebel Brewing Company for Cardiff and Newport. If it’s not beer, it’s cider. Award winners includeApple County Cider, in MonmouthshireandHallets Cider, in Crumlin.

Wine producers are excelling too. We have over 20 Welsh vineyards ranging from Glyndwr Vineyard, the oldest established and largest vineyard in Wales,toRed Wharf Bay Vineyardon Anglesey, producing award-winning wines that make Wales proud.