Catherine Mead of Lynher Dairies/ Official
After
nearly 12 hours of tasting, Cornish Kern has been named the ‘World’s Best
Cheese’ in this year’s World Cheese Awards. The Guild of Fine Foods announced
the news from Taste of London at around 6.30pm on Friday night.
Eater
London sources had speculated that a “semi-soft” number would be crowned 2017’s
champion, given said variety “is absolutely in [vogue]”, yet Lynher Dairies’
16-month matured cows’ milk cheese is in fact “medium-hard.”
The
accolade is the West Country’s (of England) third win in just seven years.
Cornish Kern follows Cornish Blue, which won in 2010, and Bath Blue, which trumped
in 2014. This West Country microcosm highlights the shift towards a firmer,
nuttier cheese.
Cornish Kern/ Pinterest
Kern,
which is described as “buttery, with a deep aroma and caramel notes,” means
“round” in Cornish and is made by the makers of modern classic Cornish Yarg.
It’s “rind-washed” — a fashionable production method right now — and coated in
black wax. The cheese has been a long time coming. The dairy’s Catherine Mead
started with a Gouda-style recipe before adding Alpine starter cultures.
The
flavour is one that you might associate with Comté or Gruyère, according to
sellers.
This
year’s competition saw hundreds of cheeses from around the world judged at
Tobacco Dock in London. The panel included famous faces from the world of
cheese, including Sue Cloke, “aka the Duchess,” journalist Patrick McGuigan,
and awards founder Bob Farrand.
Watch the moment
Cornish Kern was announced as the world's best cheese:
By Eater