The Surprisingly Fragrant Stinking Bishop Cheese

Despite its off-putting name, this English cheese is washed in fermented pear cider during production. This process creates a famously pungent rind that hides a mild, creamy, and custard-like interior.

The name actually comes from a specific variety of pear called the Stinking Bishop, which is used to create the perry cider wash. Charles Martell developed this unique cheese in the 1970s to help save the nearly extinct Old Gloucester cattle breed. It gained worldwide fame after a featured appearance in a popular stop-motion film. Even though the aroma can be intense, many enthusiasts describe the flavor as remarkably delicate.