Marcetto (Casu Marzu)

Derived from Pecorino, Marcetto goes beyond typical fermentation o a stage of decomposition, brought about by the digestive action of the larvae of the cheese fly Phiophila casei. 

Marcetto is the Lazio counterpart of Casu marzu. During the summer, it was challenging to keep flies away from the cheese......so sometimes the cheese fly manages to lay eggs in the rind of fresh Pecorino. After about ten days, the maggots begin to feast on the cheese, burrowing tunnels and literally eating and digesting it. This process makes the cheese increasingly creamy and pungent until it is fully consumed.

This cheese is illegal, it is illegal mostly because in Italy is illegal to eat insects. We hope will be legalized shortly.

This cheese has been a staple in Sardinian culture. Though hard to find, it is still savored during special occasions such as weddings and anniversaries.

Tasting notes

For the brave, Marcetto is a robust cheese that grows more intense as it becomes creamier and more digested.