Years ago, I readabout the cheeses madein Nantycaws, Carmarthen. I've lost the articlebut, if I'm correct, the large rounds of cheese were wrapped inhazel-nut leaves, then in muslin cloths before being buried in the ground for a few months.

The story of cheesegoes backat least five thousand years. It was said to have been discovered by a horsemanin the Middle East.

His leather bag, containing milk, became over heated anda physical reaction occurred, resulting in a primitive form ofcheese. The milk curdled into solids known as curds,separatingfrom the liquid 'whey' mixture. This is what 'Little Miss Muffet' was enjoying when the big spider frightened her away.

The Romans became adept at cheese making and spread their skilland their empire,across Europe.

Early Welsh cheeses were made from the milk of goats and sheep andsoaked in brine.

Great value was placed on cheeses. Under the laws of Hywel Dda, in a divorce settlement the wife was awarded the cheeses washed in brine and the husband the cheeses that had been hanging. (I don't know which were the tastiest).

By the sixteen hundreds, cows milk was used instead of sheep and goats milk, producing a blander cheese.

DuringWorld War1 and 2, the government stepped in to control cheese making, which was a labour intensive process. For thisreason,no one was allowed more than 2 ounces a week of cheese.

Caerphilly is probably the best known of Welsh cheeses, but there are many other Welsh cheeses being produced now.

PS: Mice prefer chocolate.