The best way to start off this post is using a quote from my professor on the topic of Wales/the Welsh language: "Welsh exists. I'm not quite sure how or why." While I can see the comedic value of his point, I am absolutely certain that Wales and the Welsh language exists (in one capacity) to describe Welsh Rarebit.
If you're a cheese lover, then Welsh Rarebit is for you. It's basically a mixture of a few different types of cheeses (usually one of the cheeses is cheddar), ale, mustard, ground cayenne pepper or paprika, and Worcestershire sauce. This can either be baked in a bowl until it's melted and you dip bread in it, or it can be toasted on bread (I opted for the latter). It's the grilled cheese that all grilled cheeses try (and fail) to be.
I got my Welsh Rarebit (along with many other excellent cheeses on their cheeseboard) at Madame Fromage in Cardiff, Wales, located in the Castle Arcade in city center Cardiff. They were recently voted #8 out of 1,320 restaurants in Cardiff according to TripAdvisor. In other words, go there. The prices aren't bad and if you're a complete cheese addict (like me) or just want to try some traditional Welsh food, you won't leave disappointed.
The name "Welsh Rarebit" actually has kind of a funny etymology. It started off as "Welsh Rabbit", and many people still call it that (some even get mad if you use "Rarebit" instead!) However, it was "Rarebit" on my menu, so it's "Rarebit" in the title of this article. The term first appeared in 1725. Legend has it that poor people in Wales were not allowed to eat rabbit caught on the nobility's estates, so they used melted cheese as a substitute. However, many others believe that it was just a misspelling that somehow caught on.
Regardless of which theory is true, Welsh Rarebit is still amazingly delicious, and I highly suggest trying this cheesy goodness the first chance you get.
