Casu martzu
Traditional Sardinian cheese
Why this is trending
Interest in “Casu martzu” spiked on Wikipedia on 2026-06-03.
Sudden spikes in Wikipedia readership generally point to a newsworthy event or emerging public conversation that piques widespread curiosity.
By monitoring millions of daily Wikipedia page views, GlyphSignal helps you spot cultural moments as they happen and understand the stories behind the numbers.
Key Takeaways
- Casu martzu ( Sardinian: [ˈkazu ˈmaɾtsu] ; lit.
- The larvae of the cheese fly ( Piophila casei ) are deliberately introduced to pecorino cheese, where their digestive action produces an advanced level of fermentation, including a breakdown of the cheese's fats.
- It is possible that the larvae could survive in the intestine, causing enteric pseudomyiasis, which can manifest as nausea, vomiting and gastrointestinal upset; however, no cases have been linked to the cheese.
- Due to these risks, Italian authorities have banned the sale of this cheese, deeming it dangerous.
- Variations of this cheese also exist in Corsica, France, where it is called casgiu merzu ; it is especially produced in some Southern Corsican villages such as Sartène.
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Source summary
WikipediaCasu martzu (Sardinian: [ˈkazu ˈmaɾtsu]; lit. 'rotten cheese') is a Sardinian sheep milk cheese that contains live fly maggots.
The larvae of the cheese fly (Piophila casei) are deliberately introduced to pecorino cheese, where their digestive action produces an advanced level of fermentation, including a breakdown of the cheese's fats. The cheese's texture softens, and a liquid called làgrima ('teardrop') may seep out.
It is possible that the larvae could survive in the intestine, causing enteric pseudomyiasis, which can manifest as nausea, vomiting and gastrointestinal upset; however, no cases have been linked to the cheese. Additionally, these larvae can carry harmful microorganisms that may lead to infections. Due to these risks, Italian authorities have banned the sale of this cheese, deeming it dangerous. Consequently, it is also prohibited across the European Union, as EU food safety regulations mandate that only food safe for consumption can be sold.
Content sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0
