WHAT IS CORNISH YARG?

This semi-hard cheese is made from pasteurized cow’s milk.  Today Cornwall’s crumbly delight is produced by the Lynher Dairy.  The origin of Cornish Yarg goes back to the 1980’s.  A farmer by the name of  Alan Gray was rummaging around his attic when he stumbled across a cheese making recipe from the 17th century.  What was unique about the formula was that the cheese needs to be aged in stinging nettles.  These leaves, with their inherent moisture, mold naturally.  This gives the cheese an edible, bloomy rind.

WHERE IS CORNISH YARG MADE?

Yarg is made in Cornwall, England in Upton Cross at Liskeard in Britain.  This county is located in southwest England next to the Celtic Sea.  Famous for its’ moors and rugged coastline, the soil has a beautifully diverse mix of sandstone, slate and granite.  This combined with a mild climate makes Cornwall ideal for raising dairy cows.  The farmers here are so passionate about the quality of their soil that in 2017 they started a poop in your pants challenge to prove it.

WHOSE TOUCH STINGS MORE – A SEXY DOMINATRIX OR CORNISH YARG?

While the book 50 Shades of Grey brought bdsm to the mainstream, Cornish Yarg’s fans were not to be outdone.  They released 50 Shades of Yarg.  Whether the whip or nettles sting more is a matter of debate.

WHAT CAN I PAIR WITH CORNISH YARG?

For a U.K. themed cheese plate I would suggest a Blacksticks Blue and a nice aged Cheddar (both of which are also cow’s milk).  Want something more varied, try a French goat’s milk Chevrot and a Spanish sheep’s milk 6 month Manchego.  Regarding wine, go with a full bodied white or a light red on the UK plate (though the blue will overwhelm so a port or sherry might be better).  For your more haunted tasty beverages, try a nice smoky Scotch with just a dash of ice!