About Perl Wen
Perl Wen (Welsh for White Pearl) is a soft cheese made by Caws Cenarth Cheese in Wales using a recipe loosely inspired by brie and their original cheese, Caerphilly.
In 1987, the Welsh government instated milk quotas on local farmers. In response to this, Gwynfor and Thelma Adams founded Caws Cenarth to start making cheese with their milk.
How Perl Wen is made
In order to do this, they drew on a six-generation heritage of cheesemaking on their family farm, Glyneithinog. Actually, the farm is located in the picturesque and lush valley of the river Cych.
In very little time, Thelma quickly rose to prominence in the resurgence of Welsh artisan cheesemaking. And Caws Cenarth swiftly acquired a reputation for its creamy, fresh-flavoured Caerphilly.
Nowadays, Gwynfor and Thelma take a back seat in the business, enabling their son Carwyn to pursue his love for making new cheeses.
More than just Caerphilly
In recent years, Carwyn has developed new cheeses, including the Brie-like Perl Wen, Perl Las, a creamy blue, and Golden Cenarth, a washed-rind cheese.
Our featured Perl Wen is a wonderful and unique hybrid between a regular Brie and a Caerphilly. Indeed, it is one of Wales’s most popular soft cheeses. Moreover, this bloomy white cheese gets its soft centre from their farmhouse Caerphilly recipe. In addition to this, the recipe gives it a fresh citrous flavour with a dash of sea salt.
Beneath the white rind, the cheese becomes creamy and buttery in texture as it ripens.
How to serve Perl Wen
Enjoy close to its Best Before Date if you prefer your soft cheeses runny rather than with a young gritty quality.
Ideal in a summer baguette or melted in a Panini with cured ham or bacon. Bake in pastry parcel with a little of your favourite chutney. Very moreish on a cheese board.
This Welsh wonder pairs beautifully with caramelised onions and a crisp Sauvignon Blanc.
Thank you for reading
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