The Cheesemonger’s Notes
A washed-rind Norfolk cheese with warmth, depth, and beautifully developed character
St Cera is a soft, washed-rind lactic cheese made in Norfolk by St Jude Dairy using cow’s milk from Montbéliarde cows. It has a delicate pink-orange rind and a light, mousse-like texture, with rich, creamy flavours that develop into savoury, complex notes as it matures
Produced in Norfolk by St Jude Cheese →
St Cera is a washed-rind lactic cheese made by Julie Cheyney at Fen Farm Dairy in Bungay, Norfolk. Created using rich milk from their Montbéliarde cows, it represents both technical precision and a deep understanding of how milk quality shapes flavour and texture.
Julie moved from Hampshire specifically to work with Fen Farm’s Montbéliarde herd—a breed still rare in the UK but renowned for producing richer, more complex milk than typical British dairy cows. This exceptional milk provides the foundation for St Cera’s distinctive depth and luxurious mouthfeel.
The cheesemaking process begins with delicately coagulated curd, set slowly over 18 hours. This careful handling preserves the fragile structure of the curd, allowing the finished cheese to develop its signature soft, mousse-like texture. The result is a cheese that feels light yet indulgent, with a remarkable smoothness and refinement.
At around one week old, selected cheeses are washed in a brine solution and transferred to a high-humidity maturation room. This washing process encourages the development of St Cera’s distinctive pinkish-orange rind, transforming both its appearance and flavour. As the rind develops, it begins to influence the interior, adding warmth, savoury depth, and increasing complexity.
The flavour profile is rich and expressive. Initial notes of sweet cream and cultured butter give way to deeper savoury characteristics—often likened to creamy carbonara, with gentle smoky bacon warmth. As the cheese matures further, more complex wine-like and barrique notes emerge, creating a layered and evolving flavour that lingers beautifully on the palate.
Despite this complexity, St Cera retains balance and elegance, making it both distinctive and highly approachable.
Made with extraordinary care at Fen Farm Dairy and matured to develop its full character, St Cera stands as one of Norfolk’s most refined and technically accomplished cheeses.
Perfect Pairings
• Crusty sourdough or rustic bread
• Caramelised onion chutney
• Norfolk ales or farmhouse cider
• Dry white wines or light reds
Ideal Uses
• A standout addition to a Norfolk cheeseboard
• Served at room temperature for full flavour
• Enjoyed simply with bread and chutney
• Paired with savoury accompaniments
Why We Stock It
St Cera represents the natural evolution of farmhouse cheesemaking, showing how careful maturation can transform a cheese into something deeper and more expressive. Made using milk from St Jude Dairy’s own herd, it reflects both the quality of Norfolk milk and the skill of its makers.
It is cheeses like St Cera that demonstrate Norfolk’s ability to produce washed-rind cheeses of genuine depth and character.