Cornish pasties are often a hot topic of debate in Cornwall. Who makes the best pasty? What should be in it? Side or top crimp.

But a fresh controversy has come to light over an unusual way in which some pasty enthusiasts in Cornwall choose to devour the much-loved delicacy.

Tomato ketchup, brown sauce or perhaps even a dollop of chutney are common pasty condiments, albeit still frowned upon by some diehard traditionalists.

But a Cornish pasty maker has discovered that some locals have shunned them in favour of pouring cold milk over their freshly baked pasties.

Samantha Cox owner of Helluva Pasties became aware that some fans of her award-winning Cornish pasties produced at their bakery near Callington and delivered around the country enjoyed their pasties with a generous splash of fresh milk.

Samantha said: “We found out that one or two of our customers did this, so we decided to put a call out on social media to see how many people had actually heard of it or were in fact milk pourers themselves.

“We were surprised by the response, with people from all parts of Cornwall and further afield telling us that their families had always poured milk on their pasties and it was a tradition that had filtered down through the generations and was still going strong.”

Paul George, a dairy farmer who supplies Rodda’s, from Tresillian, is a keen exponent of the practice. He said: “We’ve been proud dairy farmers for generations, and we’ve been pouring the finest, freshest Cornish milk over our pasties for generations as well.

“As a child I can remember the milk being poured straight over our pasties as soon as it came out of the Aga. It helped cool it down so you could eat it quickly, stopping us kids getting burnt mouths, but also softened the contents all up nicely as well.

“Everyone could get back to work in the fields without having to wait around for their pasty to cool down, plus, it tastes great!”

However, not everyone shares Paul’s enthusiasm. “Several people were less than impressed at the thought of covering their pasty in milk,” added Samantha. “One or two sick emojis appeared and some comments from shocked people who suggested the treatment of a pasty in this way was sacrilege.”

Paul concluded by adding: “If you haven’t tried it, give it a go!”