La Maddalena, Sardinia (Italy) / Casu Marzu: ugly delicious

Probably the most (in)famous cheese in the world.

Probably one of the ugli(est) delicious.

Certainly full of maggots.

Ladies and gentlemen, Casu Marzu.

Casu Marzu is a pecorino cheese, produced in spring and summer, with a unique fermentation process: cheese flies colonize the forms of pecorino deposing their eggs and, once hatched, the larvae transform with their enzymes the cheese paste of the pecorino in a cream. After 3 to 6 months the cheese is ready to be eaten, with a bunch of additional proteins!

The taste is really peculiar, very pungent, strong and persistent in mouth. The consistency is creamy which makes it a perfect cheese spread.