Andy Montoya
Taleggio is a semi-soft cow's milk cheese from Italy. It is considered one of the oldest soft cheeses, with a history dating back to the 10th century. While it may not be the most aesthetically pleasing cheese, Taleggio is known for its strong aroma, often likened to wet grass, dirty gym socks, or even body odour. Despite its pungent smell, Taleggio has a pleasant, salty taste with hints of fruit, making it a popular choice for salads, pasta dishes, and grilled cheese on toast.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Smell | Wet grass, body odour, dirty gym socks, wet socks, salty |
| Taste | Salty, fruity, sour milk, cooked milk |
| Texture | Soft, creamy, squishy, firm, shape-retaining, semi-soft, gummy, sticky |
| Appearance | Pale orange rind, moist, mould |
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What You'll Learn
Why does Taleggio cheese smell?
Taleggio is a semi-soft cow's milk cheese from Italy. It is considered one of the oldest soft cheeses, first developed during the 10th century in the Val Taleggio valley in the Lombardy region of Italy. It is produced in swaths across northern Italy and has a Denominazione di Origine Protetta (DOP) status, meaning that official Taleggio can only be made in certain areas.
Taleggio is known for its strong smell, often described as similar to wet grass or dirty gym socks, with hints of body odour. The longer it is aged, the stronger the smell becomes. However, despite its pungent aroma, Taleggio does not taste as strong as it smells, with a salty and fruity flavour. Its creamy texture, due to its high fat content, makes it a popular melting cheese, commonly used in dishes such as salads, pasta, and grilled cheese on toast.
The reason for Taleggio's strong smell lies in its production process. Once the curd has been separated from the whey and left to mature, the outside of the cheese is regularly washed to control the growth of bacteria. This process, known as "washing the rind," stimulates the growth of specific bacteria, resulting in a less acidic cheese with a more pronounced aroma. The washing helps the cheese retain moisture and develop its characteristic flavours, contributing to its strong smell.
The washing of the rind is done with seawater in the case of Taleggio, and this weekly process contributes to its unique aroma. While some may find the smell of Taleggio off-putting, it is a beloved cheese by many connoisseurs, who appreciate its strong taste and soft texture. The intensity of the aroma can vary depending on the region of production, storage conditions, and other factors, leading to differences in the scent and flavour of Taleggio from different sources.
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What does Taleggio cheese smell like?
Taleggio is a semi-soft cow's milk cheese from Italy. It is considered a stinky cheese, with a pungent aroma. The smell of Taleggio has been likened to wet grass, dirty gym socks, and body odour. The longer the cheese is aged, the stronger its smell becomes.
The cheese has a distinctive orange rind, which is formed as a result of the cheese being regularly washed to control the growth of bacteria. This process also contributes to its strong smell. Despite its pungent aroma, Taleggio has a pleasant, mellow, salty, and slightly fruity taste. Its creamy texture, due to its high fat content, makes it a good melting cheese.
The smell of Taleggio can be off-putting to some, but it is a popular cheese, especially in Italy, where it is produced in several regions. It is often used in cooking, melted on dishes such as pasta or toast, or added to salads. Its strong flavour means a little goes a long way, and it can be expensive compared to other cheeses.
The Grayson cheese, produced in Virginia, is considered the American cousin of Taleggio due to its similar aroma, texture, and taste. However, there can be variations in the smell and taste of Taleggio, with some finding it less pungent and more akin to cooked milk.
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Why does it smell like wet grass?
Taleggio is a semi-soft cow's milk cheese from Italy. It is considered one of the oldest soft cheeses, first developed during the 10th century in the Val Taleggio valley in the Lombardy region of Italy. It is a washed-rind cheese, which means its rind is washed during the aging process. This procedure stimulates the growth of bacteria, resulting in a less acidic cheese with a strong aroma. The longer a cheese is washed, the stronger its smell will be.
Now, why does Taleggio smell like wet grass? Well, the answer lies in the production process and the bacteria that are encouraged to grow on the cheese's rind during the washing process. The washing of the rind creates an environment conducive to the growth of specific bacteria, such as brevibacterium linens, which is known to contribute to the strong aroma of washed-rind cheeses. This bacterium interacts with the other compounds and ingredients in the cheese, such as the seawater used in the washing process, to create a unique aroma.
The seawater washing process, combined with the specific bacteria and other factors such as aging time and temperature, contribute to the development of Taleggio's distinctive wet grass scent. This scent is often described as earthy and reminiscent of the outdoors, contributing to the cheese's overall appeal for those who enjoy stronger-smelling cheeses.
It is worth noting that the scent of Taleggio can vary depending on its production, storage, and handling. Some people have noted differences in the scent of Taleggio purchased from different regions or producers, indicating that various factors can influence the final aroma of the cheese.
While the wet grass scent is one of the most commonly associated with Taleggio, some people have described it as having a sour milk or salty aroma, with hints of fruit. The longer the cheese is aged, the stronger its smell will become, intensifying all the scent notes that are present.
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Why does it smell like body odour?
Taleggio is a semi-soft cow's milk cheese from Italy. It is considered one of the oldest soft cheeses, first developed in the 10th century in the Lombardy region of Italy. The cheese is known for its strong smell, which has been described as similar to wet grass or even body odour. The longer the cheese is aged, the stronger the smell becomes.
So, why does it smell like body odour? Well, the key lies in the manufacturing process. Taleggio is a washed-rind cheese, which means its rind is regularly washed during the aging process. This washing process stimulates the growth of certain bacteria, particularly brevibacterium linens, which is also found in Limburger, a cheese known for smelling like human feet. This bacteria is partly responsible for the body odour-like smell of Taleggio.
In addition to the bacterial growth, the washing process itself can contribute to the odour. The rind of Taleggio is washed with saltwater or seawater, and this moisture can further enhance the growth of bacteria, leading to a stronger smell. The washing process also helps the cheese retain moisture and develop its characteristic flavour.
The smell of Taleggio can vary depending on its production and storage conditions. For example, two samples of Taleggio purchased from different sources had noticeably different scents, with one being quite smelly and the other having a milder scent. The difference in smell may be attributed to factors such as the region of production, storage conditions, and handling procedures.
Despite its strong odour, Taleggio is known for its pleasant, salty taste with hints of fruit. It has a creamy texture due to its high fat content and is often paired with fruit or added to salads or pasta dishes. Its strong flavour means that a little goes a long way, and it can be an excellent addition to various recipes, especially those requiring melted cheese.
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Why does it smell like dirty gym socks?
Taleggio is a semi-soft cow's milk cheese from Italy. It is considered a stinky cheese, and its smell is often described as similar to wet grass or body odour. The longer it is aged, the stronger the smell. While some people may find the smell of Taleggio cheese unpleasant, similar to dirty gym socks, others enjoy its strong taste and soft texture. The cheese is produced in northern Italy and has a Denominazione di Origine Protetta (DOP) status, meaning that official Taleggio can only be made in certain regions.
The unique smell of Taleggio cheese can be attributed to the production process, specifically the washing of the cheese rind. During the aging process, the rind of Taleggio cheese is regularly washed or brushed with a salt water solution, which stimulates the growth of brevibacterium linens, a bacteria unique to washed-rind cheeses. This bacteria is also partly responsible for the smell of the human body, contributing to the cheesy odour that some have compared to dirty gym socks.
Additionally, the milk used to make Taleggio cheese can also impact its smell. As a traditional cheese, Taleggio is made with whole milk from cows grazing in the Alps during the fall and winter months. The diet and environment of these cows can affect the composition of their milk, which in turn influences the final product. The production process, storage conditions, and handling of Taleggio cheese can also play a role in its strong aroma.
The smell of Taleggio cheese is not an indication of spoilage, but rather a result of the bacterial growth encouraged by the washing of the rind. While some people may find the smell off-putting, it is a characteristic feature of this type of cheese. The washing process not only contributes to the strong aroma but also helps the cheese retain moisture and develop its distinct flavour.
Overall, the reason why Taleggio cheese can smell like dirty gym socks is due to a combination of factors, including the production process, bacterial growth, the milk source, and the aging and storage conditions. While the smell may be unpleasant to some, it is a beloved feature for those who enjoy the strong, pungent aromas of stinky cheeses.
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Frequently asked questions
Taleggio cheese is known for its pungent aroma, which has been likened to wet grass, dirty gym socks, or even body odour. The longer it is aged, the stronger the smell becomes.
Taleggio is a washed-rind cheese, which means its rind is washed during the aging process. This washing stimulates the growth of bacteria, resulting in a less acidic cheese with a strong smell.
No, while Taleggio may have a strong odour, its taste is much more pleasant. It is described as having a salty, fruity, and meaty flavour with a hint of sour milk.
