Casu Marzu Cheese Explained: What It Is, How It's Made, and Why It's Banned

Casu marzu is one of the most extraordinary foods in the world. It is a cheese with a living culture inside it, literally. Born out of centuries of Sardinian tradition, it tells the story of a people who have always worked closely with nature, even when that means sharing their food with flies and their larvae. Whether or not you would ever want to try it, there is no denying that casu marzu is fascinating. It challenges what we think of as food, what we think of as safe, and what we think of as delicious. For the people of Sardinia, it is all three. If you are the adventurous type who loves exploring the most unusual foods the world has to offer, casu marzu belongs on your food bucket list. Just remember to cover your eyes when you open the wheel.