Five Foods that You Simply have to try When in Wales

What do you think about when Wales is mentioned?  Is it the country’s rich culture, the language, the singing, the former glories of its once vibrant coal mining industry or maybe the rugby?  But perhaps other things spring to mind: the beautiful natural environment, its picturesque upland sheep farms, its historical ruins or perhaps the friendly and generous natives.  To be sure, there is much to like and admire about this small and proud country, not least the food. Read on to discover some of the best foods you must try in Wales!

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Welsh Breakfast

A full Welsh breakfast looks like, and smells a lot like a full English breakfast, except for one key ingredient... Laver cakes.

Laver is an edible form of seaweed which is rich in minerals and when mixed with oatmeal and bacon fat becomes a favoured delicacy for the Welsh locals. It is an essential part of a Welsh breakfast but also goes well as a side dish with roast meat. If you are heading West, be sure to try out a full English breakfast...Welsh style!

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The Humble Leek

But it is the humble leek that perhaps takes pride of place on the Welsh plate and certainly it does as an emblem of the country. It is often worn alongside the daffodil on St David’s Day and appears in a number of legends about the country. In one such tale, King Cadwaladr of Gwynedd ordered his soldiers to wear the vegetable on their helmets when they were battling against the Saxons, of all places, in a leek field!


During the Elizabethan era, Shakespeare makes reference to the wearing of the leek as an old tradition dating back centuries. But today the leek is more often known for its delicate taste when eaten in the many delicious recipes the country is known for. On another tack, check out the Welsh national rugby team and you will see each player wears an emblem of the leek proudly emblazoned on his strip.

Leek recipes are a huge favourite on St Davids day, with an abundance to choose from including Leek and Stilton soup, Haddock and Leek chowder, Chicken and Leek soup, Leek and Cheese Welsh Rarebit, Cheese and Leek Soufflé, and more.

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Welsh Lamb

Therefore it seems that the leek has become etched into the Welsh consciousness. But Wales is known for more than just great vegetables in foodie circles. Some of the UK’s best lamb is reared in the Welsh hills. Lamb and mint sauce is a firm favourite in the country and well beyond as well.

Beef is also raised in the country. Perhaps it is the quality of its grass and the warm climate that helps the country produce so much good meat and much more.

With so much excellent produce in the country it is perhaps unsurprising that agriculture forms such an important part of the Welsh economy. It cannot be overstated.

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Tales of the Sea

Wales is also home to other dishes, each with their own cultural significance sometimes dating back centuries. These traditional dishes are often served at ceremonies and historical events and include laverbread – a seaweed dish and cawl; a stew made with bacon, scraps of lamb and vegetables.

Remember too that Wales is surrounded by water on three sides so as one might expect the country is rich in seafood. Fishing also plays a significant part in the country’s economy as evidenced by the many little fishing villages around the coast.

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Cheese

Any discussion of food in Wales must include the quality and fame of Welsh cheese. Who has not heard of Caerphilly cheese sold the world over and another cheese dish famous in the country is Welsh Rarebit which is basically melted cheese on toast.

So whether it’s fruit and veg you are after, fish, lamb or just about any other natural food, Wales is a great place to visit and enjoy. The Welsh can guarantee that you will leave feeling happy and so will you stomach.

Guest writer Mark writes for Milk and More, an online grocery delivery service for British fruit and veg and other everyday groceries.

The Britophile Diaries: Loving Liverpool

My stay in Liverpool was amazing! Could there be a better way to get over jet-lag and become accustomed to a new country than spending five days with friends?

When I got back from the airport I had a full English breakfast waiting for me!

I was able to go shopping at Sainsbury’s on the first day, and went giddy over seeing foods I’d only read about in British recipes—celery root, fresh coriander—and the fact that everything was priced in £s. There were local newspapers, frozen pies, and more Cadbury treats than I’d ever seen in my life. The sweets sections of British stores are gratifyingly extensive. My friend Lydia insisted on buying all kinds of British goodies for my stay here: Nairn's oatcakes, sausage rolls, and a plethora of local cheeses to start.

The cashpoint outside gave me my first experience with English paper money. I’d handled some coins before, but this colorful currency was a first. Why does American cash have to be so boring? The same basic designs for decades, the monotone coloration, the consistent size…I think Brits have the right idea: keep things interesting.

Cult Independent Bookstores in London

Are you coming to London?

Do you wish to discover some of the hidden gems of the city?

Undoubtedly, London is a city of many secrets. From unsolved mysteries that inspire tourists to visit the city to cult places everyone wishes to see.

Yet, there is also a number of places that only a selected few know about, yet for them they are an absolute must-see on each visit to the city.

One type of those are small, independent bookstores. In spite of the crisis on the publishing market, London is bustling with those, often tiny, stores. Each has its own unique atmosphere, from esoteric interiors and small coffee shops to built in kitchens. Many are heavily specialist, and all of them are highly recommended to see as there are no bookstores like that anywhere else in the world.

If you love literature, love going through stacks of books in a silent room and having a hushed conversation with a stranger about your favourite subject, these are the places you simply must visit.

Blog Update...Finally.

Hello everybody! I haven't dropped off the face of the earth. I'm at Capernwray Bible School and having a grand time. I'm meeting a lot of new people, and while this isn't exactly what I expected it to be, I am being stretched in new and exciting ways.

I am loving Britain! This is an amazing place, and I can't wait to share more of my experiences with you. The internet is very unreliable out here in the country, so I can't promise when the next post will be, but rest assured, I'll be working on it.

I am so grateful for your support and comments, everybody!

- Abigail

Hello, Britain.

After weeks of packing, planning, stressing, giggling, saving, and years and years of waiting, here I am. 

My flight was wonderful, despite the fact that I'd only flown a couple of times before—and never across an ocean. My friends and family gave me a heartfelt sendoff, full of prayers and well wishes, and I savored my last few moments with my family, knowing that I wouldn't see them again in person for at least 2 1/2 months.

Once again I marveled at the patchwork ground far beneath me, ripples in the land, tiny clusters that might be towns, lakes reaching out with alien fingers, the fuzzy line where blue meets white. It was still a novel experience (and boy, did my ears hurt when we touched down in Chicago).

I'd heard horror stories about O'Hare International Airport, but my experience was fabulous. I was able to lug my carry-on full of bricks all the way to my departure gate without having to get on a tram. I set my bags down beside a nice elderly couple sitting in the waiting area. We started talking and didn't stop for about three hours! We got so chummy, they gave me their contact information in case we could meet up while I was on my trip!

After boarding the plane I met my charming seat companions—two young gentlemen named Jake and Alphie—then took my shoes off and settled in with an iPod for the long haul.