Wales · United Kingdom
Caerphilly.
Pale, crumbly yet supple on the tongue, Caerphilly greets you with bright lactic tang and a whisper of salt before dissolving into buttery, milky sweetness. Its aroma is gentle and grassy, with a faint earthiness that speaks of Welsh pastures. This semi-hard cheese manages to be simultaneously delicate and substantial—refreshing rather than heavy.
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The story
How it's made.
Why it tastes that way.
Caerphilly is Wales's only native hard cheese, developed in the early 19th century to feed Welsh coal miners due to its high caloric density and salt content.
After near-disappearance during WWII, it was revived. Traditional Welsh Caerphilly differs from the more common English-made version—it is moister and more tangy.
Production · spec
- Milk
- Cow · pasteurised
- Family
- Semi-hard
- Rind
- natural
- Age
- 0–3 mo
- Intensity
Tasting profile
What it tastes like.
These bars are a visual read of Caerphilly's flavour and aroma notes, scaled by the cheese's overall intensity — a quick guide, not a lab measurement.
Aroma
Nutrition · per 100g serving
What's in a wedge.
A 100g serving — about a finger-thick wedge. Daily values use the FDA 2020 reference of 2,000 kcal. Expect ±5% variation between wheels.
Estimated values — based on similar cheese family data
Serve, cut & store
Out of the fridge,
into its prime.
Guidance for semi-hard cheeses — general practice, not a per-wheel measurement.
Rest
Take it out about ≈1 h before serving — cold stiffens the fat and locks up the aromas; cool room temperature is when the flavour shows up.
Cut
Cut thin half-moons or batons from the wedge; trim waxed or inedible rinds as you go.
Store
Wrap leftovers in cheese paper or wax paper — never cling film, which suffocates the rind — and keep them in the warmest part of the fridge.
Rule of thumb: the softer and riper, the longer it needs. Thick pieces need longer than thin — and don't leave cheese out much past two hours.
Pairings · Caseo curated
What goes with Caerphilly.
26 pairings across 7 categories.
Wine
Beer & Cider
Where to find it
Cheese counters.
Counter listings for Caerphilly are being verified. Check back soon.
Verified counter listings coming soon. Our team updates listings monthly.
Substitutes
No Caerphilly at the counter?.
These will play a similar role on the board and in the pan.
Take it with you
Want to remember this one?.
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