St David’s Day, the feast day of the Welsh patron saint, falls on 1st March, and to mark the occasion we’ve highlighted some of the top foodie experiences for groups seeking a true taste of Wales.
1. Cheeses and cockles in the capital
Sample some of the classic food and fresh produce Wales has to offer on a Cardiff Food Tasting Tour while soaking up the Welsh capital’s famous culture and architecture along the way.
The tasting tours, which can be booked privately for groups, include a walking tour around the city where you’ll pick up some delicious samples to try and buy. Expect Welsh cheeses, cockles and laverbread, beer and cider along the way.
2. Chocolate treats in an abandoned factory
Groups can indulge in chocolate tasting by visiting NOMNOM Chocolate, an abandoned chocolate factory currently being renovated in Llanboidy, a village in the county of Carmarthenshire, West Wales. Founder, 23-year old Liam Burgess attributes his love for chocolate to living next to the Bournville factory in the Midlands whilst growing up.
NOMNOM Chocolate is known for unusual flavours which include Apple Sherbet, Pink Pepper and Earl Grey, plus it sells a bar made from Halen Môn Sea Salt, as mentioned above. Tours will be available when the factory fully opens to the public later this year.
3. Sea salt sampling
It might sound unconventional, but a salt-tasting session shouldn’t just be dismissed. Step into the Ty Halen, the new Saltcote and Visitor Centre at Halen Môn, which is situated on the banks of the Menai Strait in Brynsiencyn, North Wales.
Pictured: Ty Halen, the new Saltcote and Visitor Centre at Halen Mon.
Group will be greeted by a tour guide who will talk you through everything there is to know about the company and its salt production. You’ll also get to experience a salt tasting session, and learn how the salt is found in products sold by the likes of Marks & Spencer, Waitrose and Harvey Nichols.
4. A little sip of seaweed gin
Another unusual tasting experience can be enjoyed at Glynhynod Farm in Ceredigion, mid Wales where Dà Mhìle Seaweed Gin is made. The gin launched on St David’s Day in 2014, is infused with handpicked seaweed from the Celtic coast, and designed to complement seafood dishes.
Guided tours will takes groups through the process from distilling to bottling and labelling as well as seeing how the distillery’s whisky is aged. Plus you’ll get to sample some of the products in the tasting gallery.
5. Beer making at a brewery
Fancy making and designing your own beer? The Conwy Brewery Company in Colwyn Bay, North Wales, allows groups of up to eight people to design a beer that is completely unique to them. Lunch is provided, along with six cases of your own beer.
Plus, The Conwy Brewery Company offers a number of tours which all feature tasting sessions. The brewery’s core range features ales including the Beachcomber, Welsh Pride and Clogwyn Gold.
These ideas are courtesy of Visit wales; more trip inspiration for groups planning a trip can be found on the official tourism website for Wales, www.visitwales.com.
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