A Unique Cornerstone of Cornish Cheesemaking: Lynher Dairies
18th Jul 2024
All about Cornish Kern
Nestled on the outskirts of Ponsanooth in mid Cornwall, Lynher Dairies is the brainchild of Catherine Mead OBE DL. This dairy is renowned for its handcrafted, award-winning cheeses, being the exclusive producer of Cornish Yarg, Wild Garlic Yarg, Cornish Kern, and Stithians. Since the 1980s, they have been wrapping their iconic Cornish Yarg in nettle leaves. Their repertoire expanded with Wild Garlic Yarg and Stithians, and most notably, Cornish Kern, which was crowned Supreme Champion at the 2017 World Cheese Awards.
The origin of Yarg’s name is a tale of clever wordplay. Alan Gray, a farmer from Bodmin Moor, stumbled upon a 17th-century recipe for nettle-wrapped cheese in his attic in the 1980s. By reversing his surname, “Gray,” he christened the cheese "Yarg."
The name "Kern" is steeped in Cornish heritage, meaning 'round' in Cornish and sharing its first four letters with "Kernow," the Cornish word for Cornwall. The decision to choose a four-letter name with a strong, resonant sound similar to "Yarg" was a nod to the beauty of the Cornish language.
The Herd
Meet our lovely Ayrshire herd, residing at Gadles Farm just a stone's throw from our dairy. These cows provide the rich, creamy milk essential for our award-winning cheeses.
Cornish Kern
Cornish Kern, the 2017 Supreme Champion at the World Cheese Awards, is a masterpiece crafted in 4kg rounds. This cheese draws inspiration from Gouda and is further refined with alpine-style cultures, embodying characteristics of both Dutch and Alpine cheeses. To create this masterpiece, they scald the curd to encourage Kern’s caramelised notes and then press it into large, round moulds. After slowly applying pressure, the cheese is floated in a briny bath and then painted with a breathable black wax coating. It is then leave it to mature for twenty months, resulting in a dense texture, a brittle center, and a complex flavor profile that is buttery, nutty, with caramel undertones, and a hint of pineapple. Cornish Kern is truly a cheese that captivates the taste buds of many.
