16/09/2024
Casu Marzu, which translates from Sardinian as “rotten cheese”, is deeply rooted in the pastoral traditions of Sardinia. This small island south of Italy has a long history of sheep farming and cheesemaking. Sardinia’s shepherds have been producing Pecorino, the base cheese for Casu Marzu, for thousands of years.
Pecorino itself is a firm, savoury cheese made from sheep’s milk. Legend has it that a few centuries ago, a batch of cheese was accidentally contaminated by the larvae of the cheese fly (Piophila casei). Consequently, those wheels of Pecorino naturally began to ferment beyond the usual stages of ageing.
What began as an unintentional event soon became a tradition. Locals noticed that this fermentation process created a softer, more pungent cheese. And would transform the otherwise firm Pecorino into something more creamy, with complex flavours and aromas.
What might have been considered spoiled by some was instead embraced by Sardinian shepherds. Eventually, the cheese earned a special place in Sardinian culture.
