Caerphilly cheese production returns to Caerphilly

Support quality, independent, local journalism…that mattersFrom just £3 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Huw Rowlands and Deian Thomas of Cwmni Caws Caerffili After nearly 30 years, Caerphilly cheese is finally coming home. Not since 1995 has Caerphilly cheese actually been made in Caerphilly. But now it’s back thanks to Cwmni Caws Caerffili (Caerphilly Cheese Company).The business was set up by 26-year-old farmer Huw Rowlands and business partner Deian Thomas, 39, who have spent three years perfecting the hard, crumbly white cheese. Now, they are producing Caerphilly cheese in the heart of Caerphilly town centre. Caerphilly cheese produced in Caerphilly by Cwmni Caws Caerffili Mr Rowlands said: “Bringing Caerphilly Cheese production back to the area is essential to the history of the product and also the tourism in the area. “We see thousands of visitors a year coming to Caerphilly but there isn’t a business located within the county creating something that the locality is known for. “It’s been a lot of work and late nights to get to this point, but we are proud to say Caerphilly cheese is coming home.” While the cheese is still in the development stage, Mr Rowlands told Caerphilly Observer he is hoping one of the products will be ready for the Caerphilly Food Festival in April. The Caerphilly cheese statue in Caerphilly town centre Mr Rowlands, who is a member of Gelligaer Young Farmers Club, comes from a farming family with experience in cheese-making. His recently-launched business aims to promote the heritage of the nearly-200-year-old Caerphilly cheese, which became popular with miners in the area as it matured quicker than cheddar. The business, which also wants to champion the Welsh language, received a £1,000 boost recently after winning a package of business support from Cywain and Menter a Busnes – a not-for-profit business support organisation. The prize was won after Mr Rowlands wowed judges with his eye for business and his idea to revive cheese making in Caerphilly. Sign up to our daily newsletter Support quality, independent, local journalism…that mattersFrom just £3 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts.