Casu martzu
Sheep's cheese ripened by fly larvae
Think of it as: Like a gooey, tongue-tingling blue cheese that's still alive
Something in this cheese is moving.
What does it taste like?
A sharp, aged-cheese bite strong enough to make your tongue tingle.
SweetSpicySourSaltyFunkSmellTextureRunny and tingly
What is it?
Sheep's cheese deliberately inhabited by fly larvae and left to ferment until runny. Hygiene rules don't allow it to be sold. People shield their eyes while eating, because the larvae jump.Source: Wikipedia
How locals eat it
Spread on thin Sardinian flatbread (pane carasau) and eaten with red wine. Selling it is against the law.
Watch it
EnglishTap to play (YouTube)Where is it from?
🇮🇹Italy
CapitalRome
Populationabout 58.9 millionUN estimate for 2026
IndustriesTourism, Fashion, Cars and machinery, Wine and olive oil
Common surnamesRossi, Russo, FerrariFrom national statistics and surname surveys; rankings vary by source
Famous peopleLeonardo da VinciPainter of the Mona Lisa, and an inventor too
HelloCiao
CurrencyEuro
And JapanThe land of pizza and pasta
Fun factTwo separate countries, Vatican City and San Marino, sit inside it
The flag🇮🇹 A green, white and red tricolor, said to be modeled on the French tricolor.
From Tokyoabout 9,850 kmstraight line, Tokyo to Rome
Getting thereabout 15 hours from Tokyo (direct)rough guide
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeApril to June and September to October, when the weather is mild, are best. Also tryPizza MargheritaCarbonaraTiramisu More from here🥪 Lampredotto
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeApril to June and September to October, when the weather is mild, are best. Also tryPizza MargheritaCarbonaraTiramisu More from here🥪 Lampredotto
🇮🇹 Sounds & life in Italy
CiaoHello（Ciao）
Latin alphabet
Latin alphabet
Right now…
Anthem"The Song of the Italians" (Il Canto degli Italiani)
MusicCanzone Bright, full-voiced Italian song
SportSoccer
Gianluigi Buffon (soccer; goalkeeper for the 2006 World Cup winners) World HeritageHistoric Centre of Rome and more National animalWolf (unofficial) FestivalCarnival of Venice (around February)
MusicCanzone Bright, full-voiced Italian song
SportSoccer
Gianluigi Buffon (soccer; goalkeeper for the 2006 World Cup winners) World HeritageHistoric Centre of Rome and more National animalWolf (unofficial) FestivalCarnival of Venice (around February)
Ingredients
- Sheep's cheese (pecorino)
- Cheese flies
- Island air
How to make it (one way)
- Make pecorino, cut away part of the rind and leave it outside
- Cheese flies lay their eggs in it
- The larvae eat the cheese, turning the inside soft and creamy
- After 2–3 months, cut off the top to open it
- Spread on bread and enjoy with red wine
⚠️ This food can't legally be sold. Just enjoy reading about it.