BBC CountryFile Visits the Deep Mine!

Have you ever wondered how North Wales cheesemakers Dragon Dairy make their incredible Cavern Aged Cheddar?

Sunday’s (August 26th) episode of BBC’s CountryFile saw the series follow the journey of the award winning cheese to where it matures 500 feet below the surface, here at Llechwedd Slate Caverns.

Presenter Margherita Taylor followed the remarkable journey of the popular cheese as part of an episode which revolved around North Wales.

Starting it’s remarkable journey in the coastal fields around Criccieth, the cheese then makes its way to Llechwedd Slate Caverns every morning where it’s carefully transported into the Deep Mine via the funicular mine train - the steepest in the country - one tonne at a time. At the bottom, 500 feet below the surface, the cheese is placed in special chambers where it is left for 6 months to finish the maturing process.

Once the cheese is ready, it heads to South Caernarfon Creameries where it is quality tested and packaged ready for sale.

Alan Wyn Jones, Managing Director at South Caernarfon Creameries which is Wales’ oldest dairy farming co-operative, said: “Our premium quality Llechwedd Slate Cavern aged cheddar is hugely popular.

“We have even launched a special celebratory version infused with Welsh made Penderyn whisky to mark our 80th anniversary. Maturing cheese in slate caverns is a method which has been used in France for hundreds of years, to achieve a firmer body and depth of flavour with rich savoury notes.

“We are delighted to be able to do this in partnership with Llechwedd Slate Caverns as we are very proud of our heritage here in North Wales, as well as the provenance of our products.”

The full episode of CountryFile, with Cavern Aged Cheddar story, is now available on the BBC iPlayer here.

Find out more about Dragon Dairy at dragonwales.co.uk