COTHI VALLEY GOATS
My encounter with Cothi Valley Goats took place in Ludlow. When we visited Ludlow Farmers' Market in March, only about a half of stalls were open and there were not many shoppers around. Nevertheless, there were some well-frequented vendors, and Cothi Valley Goats was one of them. That was why I was lured.
It was from Carmarthenshire of Wales. According to the website, it comes to Ludlow once a month (2nd Thursday). Evidently they come also to Moseley Farmers' Market.
The lady behind the counter was busy dealing with customers. Taking advantage of the situation, I tasted all the cheeses on tasting dishes. I think the most popular goat cheese in UK is that white crumbly one, but I am not very keen on that type of cheese, so I went for yellow cheese. They had feta type cheese and hallumi type cheese as well, all made from Walsh goat milk.
Now, she is cutting a cheese for me.
This is the one I bought: Ranscombe. It cost me about £4 for 200+g. Expensive, but not very much for an artisan cheese like this. It is a very mellow and non-salty cheese, with inexplicable fruity flavour. It smells goat milk, but not as much as white goat cheese, so even those who are not keep on goatiness must like it. The website says it is also good for cooking and grating, but the best way to appreciate the delicate scent is to eat it as such or to eat raw in sandwich.
They take orders through website, but as they go to many farmers' market, you might find one close to where you live. Check out this http://www.goats-cheese-online.co.uk/.
P.S.
About the time I finished this cheese, Gothi Valley Goats was featured in the third series of Great British Menu. Here is the recipe that includes their cheese as one of the main ingredients.
