Limburger

limburger cheese

Limburger is a cheese that originated during the 19th century in the historical Duchy of Limburg, which is now divided between Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands. The cheese is especially known for its strong smell caused by the bacterium Brevibacterium linens. In its first month, the cheese is firmer and more crumbly, similar to the texture of Feta cheese. After about six weeks, the cheese becomes softer along the edges but is still firm on the inside and can be described as salty and chalky. After two months of its life, it is mostly creamy and much smoother. Once it reaches three months, the cheese produces its notorious smell because of the bacterium used to ferment Limburger cheese and many other smear-ripened cheeses. This is Brevibacterium linens, the same one found on human skin that is partially responsible for body odor and particularly foot odor. One of the most traditional ways of eating limburger is the limburger sandwich.

Credits: Wikipedia