Ceredigion is a small county with an even smaller population, on the west coast of Wales it is the bit in the middle, separated from the main centres of population in the south and the main lines of communication which focus on North and south Wales.

The Ceredigion Taste trail features some very special small scale food producers. Recently Cambrian Safaris visited several of them with Journalist Qin Xie. What was obvious about them all was that their work was an art form, a combination of knowledge and feeling, what they do is their life. The emphasis is on producing a quality product which is done by keeping the business small and manageable in the same spirit which it began.

Felin Ganol Watermill in Llanrhystyd lay idle for 50 years before it was restored by its current owners for whom restoration and flour production has clearly been a labour of love. They started up the water wheel for us and poured in some grain, we went down stairs and the wholemeal flour began to flow. They told us about different grain and explained how they have come to understand not only the milling processes but also the maintenance of the ancient equipment, some of which dates back 400 years. They buy in grain from organic farms and mill grain grown locally by farms belonging to the University of Wales. The Mill building is a fascinating combination of structures which have been altered and adapted over the centuries with stone walls and huge beams pegged together. The huge wooden cog wheels transferring power from the water wheel to the mill stones are a remarkable feat of precision engineering. http://tastetrailwales.co.uk/en/producers/felin-ganol-watermill/

Penlon Brewery produces small batches of hand produced bottle conditioned beers with names like Ramnesia, Tipsy TupPale Ale and Ewes Frolic Larger, which are suitable for vegetarians and . High quality raw materials are used, one problem is that barley has to go to Devon to be malted as there is nowhere suitable in Wales.

Years of experimenting and personal experience have gone into producing recipes for 10 beers. The Brewers grains are feed to Shetland sheep who are raised for their wool. http://www.penlon.biz/

Llwynhelig Farm Shop began 30 years ago when surplus milk and veg from the farm was sold from a table top in a garage. Potatoes, salads and seasonal veg from the farm are sold along with 50 welsh cheeses a tremendous variety of home made cakes, pies, jams, chutneys, locally produced meat, chocolate, liqueurs, honey, beer, cider... almost all of the food producers on the Ceredigion taste trail feature here, among a total of around 130 producers most of whom come from within 40 miles.

13 Wales True Taste Awards for best retailer, home baking, local sourcing and sustainability and a Countryside Alliance Rural Oscar for best local food retailer are among many awards won over the years. http://www.llwynhelygfarmshop.co.uk/

A smokery, a cheese maker, a Distillery and a Honey farm - to follow!

For more info about Ceredigions artisan food producers, visit http://tastetrailwales.co.uk/

see also http://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/ceredigion-hidden-gem-heart-wales-173500149.html

Tasty Tour of Ceredigion Photo Slideshow

Find more photos like this on Americymru