Snowdonia Cheese - Pickle Power - 200g

Pickle Power is a 200g truckle of mature Cheddar from the Snowdonia Cheese Company, made with chunks of tangy pickled onion running through the cheese. It is a Welsh take on the classic ploughman's lunch pairing of cheese and pickle, built directly into the cheese itself rather than served on the side. The truckle is finished in Snowdonia's recognisable coloured wax coating, which makes it easy to identify on a cheeseboard or in a fridge alongside the rest of the brand's range.

Snowdonia Cheese Company was founded in 2001 in Rhyl, North Wales, by a group of local dairy farmers who set out to create a range of premium Welsh cheeses using milk from their own herds. Working in the shadow of Snowdonia National Park, the company quickly built a reputation for distinctive, brightly waxed cheddars with names such as Black Bomber, Red Storm and Amber Mist, each one flavoured or matured in a different way. Pickle Power is one of the company's savoury, ingredient-led cheeses, developed to appeal to fans of the traditional cheese and pickle combination who wanted it in a single, ready-to-eat block.

The cheese itself is a rich, creamy mature Cheddar, and the pickled onion running through it adds a fresh, zingy, savoury note that contrasts with the smooth, dense texture of the cheddar base. The result is a cheese that carries genuine crunch and acidity from the onion pieces alongside the usual sharpness of a well matured cheddar, rather than a subtle background flavour. Pickle Power has been recognised within the industry, having picked up a gold medal at the Global Cheese Awards and a bronze medal at the British Cheese Awards, reflecting its standing among the more inventive flavoured cheddars on the market. It is made with pasteurised milk and vegetarian rennet, so it is suitable for vegetarians as well as for coeliacs.

As a flavoured cheddar, Pickle Power is best treated as a cheese that can carry its own weight rather than one that needs much dressing up. It works well cut into cubes or wedges for a grazing board, alongside a slice of pork pie, crisp apple, or cherry tomatoes, echoing the classic pub ploughman's plate. It also makes a satisfying sandwich filling on its own, since the pickled onion means there is little need for extra chutney or relish, and it melts reasonably well if used in a toastie or on top of a jacket potato for those who want a punchier alternative to plain cheddar.

For anyone who enjoys the flavour of pickled onion crisps or a classic ploughman's lunch, Pickle Power offers that same combination in a single block of Welsh Cheddar. It is a straightforward, well established product from an established North Wales cheesemaker, made for picnics, packed lunches and cheeseboards where a bit of extra bite is welcome.