Padstow is pasty central. There are quite a few shops specialising in the famous Cornish pasty clustered around the harbour in Padstow.
I’m proud to report that I think I’ve tasted a pasty from every shop. I’ve also been known to venture to Malcom Barnecutts in Wadebridge (also superb) and even Prima Bakeries down in Redruth (totally recommended for their frozen takeway option – very cost effective to cook at home).
I’m so keen on pasties that I even make them from scratch – see the pic at the end!
Perhaps the first question ought to be: What is a pasty?
A pasty is a tasty pastry usually savoury containing meat, potato, swede, onion and seasoning shaped like a ‘D’ and crimped down one side.
These days you can buy pasties in all sorts of different combinations:
- Lamb and mint
- Curried meet
- Cheese and Onion
- Steak and stilton
- English breakfast (bacon & sausage)
- Christmas dinner (turkey, potato, pig in blanket, sprout etc!)
- even sweet ones involving jam and fruits!
The history of the Cornish Pasty
The humble Cornish pasty has only enjoyed protected status (PGI – protected geographical indication) since 2011 – meaning that since 2011 you know a “Cornish Pasty” is truly Cornish.
Going back a century or two, the Cornish pasty was a traditional food for the working folk of Cornwall, the fisherman and farmers but most famously the miners that worked in the many tin mines. The thick crimped crust which runs down one side of the pasty was used as a disposable handle by the miners who hands were filthy from working down the mine. The miners even had little cloth bags for carrying their pasties in to work.
If you fancy learning more about the history of the Pasty then I recommend a day out to the National Trust run Tin Mines who have a plethora of information on the topic. On one trip to a mine the children were even able to make a felt pasty to take home to learn about the different fillings.
The Chough Bakery
You can’t fail to miss The Chough Bakery right on the harbour in Padstow. The famous building with its curved building is easy to spot, and so is the queue of customers out the door! Don’t be put off by the queue though as it moves quickly. They also have a “quick serve” hatch for fast takeaway.
The reason I am mentioning Chough Bakery over the other pasty shops in Padstow is that they put clotted cream in their pasties! How delicious is that?! The clotted cream melts into the pasty mix so it isn’t creamy as such but more of a rich buttery flavour.
The Best Pasty?
I can’t commit! I recommend trying as many as possible and then let me know which is your favourite. Perhaps I could do a poll? I change my mind every time I eat one, I think my favourite is the one I’m eating!
