Celebrating Welsh food and drink

specialityfoodmagazine.com 11 WELSH ICONS In 2026, there are 24Welsh foods which boast Geographical Indication status including the following products: Anglesey Sea Salt (Halen Môn) PDO TraditionalWelsh Caerphilly PGI TheVale of Clwyd Denbigh PlumPDO Conwy Mussels PDO Welsh Laverbread PDO Carmarthen HamPGI Gower Salt Marsh Lamb PDO Cambrian Mountains Lamb PGI Traditionally Reared Pedigree Welsh PorkTGI Pembrokeshire Earlies PGI Welsh RegionalWine PGI WelshWine PDO TraditionalWelsh Cider PGI TraditionalWelsh Perry PGI WestWales Coracle Caught Sewin PGI WestWales Coracle Caught Salmon PGI PGIWelsh Beef PGIWelsh Lamb The latest products to earn GI status are: Pembrokeshire Native Oysters PGI Pembrokeshire Rock Oysters PGI Welsh Heather Honey PGI Welsh Leeks PGI Single MaltWelshWhisky PGI Dovey Native Botanical Gin PGI THE WELSH LANDSCAPE OFFERS A VERITABLE LARDER OF CULINARY DELIGHTS – AND THIS VARIED MENU PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN THE COUNTRY’S CULTURE, WHERE A PASSION FOR HIGH QUALITY PRODUCE RUNS DEEP WALES’ LATEST GI STARS In the past 12months, four new iconicWelsh foods have joined the GI ranks. Pembrokeshire Native Oysters PGI and Pembrokeshire Rock Oysters PGI, Dovey Native Botanical Gin PGI andWelsh Heather Honey PGI have been awarded GI status – offering yet more opportunities for fine food retailers to relish the best that Wales has to offer. Pembrokeshire Native Oysters PGI and Pembrokeshire Rock Oysters PGI With Pembrokeshire’s heritage of oyster farming dating back to the 17th Century, it is perhaps no wonder that the region has been awardedmuch-deserved GI status for its perfectly crafted blend of traditional knowledge and skills withmodern-day sustainability efforts. Nature plays a key role, too, with the environs of the Daugleddau Estuary playing host to the oysters which, thanks to the nutrient-rich waters of the estuary and the nearby Preseli Mountains, boast a uniquely delicious flavour much sought after by renowned chefs. Dovey Native Botanical Gin Made in small batches with craftsmanship at its core, Dovey Native Botanical Gin offers an authentic taste of the Dyfi/Dovey UNESCOWorld Biosphere Reserve inmid-Wales thanks to its use of 17 native botanicals which have been sourced from this unique and biodiverse landscape. There are four distinct habitats present within the area, from salt marshes and coastal areas to peat moorlands and broad-leaved woodlands, each of which provides an incredible variety of botanicals tomake this spirit a true taste of its home. Welsh Heather Honey PGI A rare delicacy offering an unadulterated taste of the vibrant Ling Heather blossoms abundant inWales, Mel Grug Cymru –Welsh Heather Honey – is not only 100%natural but as minimally processed as any honey lover could wish. Instantly recognisable thanks to its thixotropic qualities (its gel-like texture turns liquid when stirred) and bubbles, a sign of its purity, its minimal processing allows the nutrients of the pollen grains within to remain – and its rich amber colour, full-bodied texture and robust flavour to delight all food lovers .