Ever heard of Casu Marzu? Or, better yet, ever dared to taste it?
Casu Marzu is the notorious bad boy of cheeses, hailing all the way from Sardinia, Italy.
So, what’s the fuss about? Well, it’s all in the way it’s made. This cheese goes through a seriously funky fermentation process, making its taste stand out from the cheesy crowd.
And get this: it’s made with a little help from our winged friends, cheese skipper flies. These little guys lay their eggs in the cheese, and intentionally let the larvae hatch and do their thing, breaking down the fats in the cheese and giving it that unique soft texture.
Because of its weird-making process, back in 1962, Italy said, “Nope!” and banned the consumption of parasitic foods. And in other countries, you won’t find Casu Marzu hitting the shelves either.
But hey, some folks think it’s delicious! Others? Not so much.
For the Casu Marzu fans out there, they like to pair it with some good ol’ Sardinian bread and wash it down with Cannonau wine, a bold red from the region.
It’s got a bit of a stink, thanks to those flies, but the taste? Well, it’s something else, with a spicy kick at the end. And you know what? That uniqueness? It’s got folks curious to give it a try.
Even if at first glance, you’re staring down at a plate of squirming larvae, after hearing all this, are you still curious? Or maybe even more tempted to give it a taste?