The Illegal Cheese With Living Larvae

Casu martzu is a rare Sardinian sheep cheese that intentionally contains thousands of live maggots. These larvae are added to the cheese to induce a high level of fermentation and break down the fats.

This pungent delicacy is created by allowing cheese flies to lay eggs directly into Pecorino. Once the eggs hatch, the maggots digest the cheese, softening it into a creamy, spicy texture that locals spread on bread. Because of food safety concerns regarding the live larvae, the production of this cheese is officially banned. Despite its status, it remains a legendary tradition for adventurous food lovers in Sardinia.