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G. Mudalige, Jadetimes Staff

G. Mudalige is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Technology & Innovation

 
Casu Marzu: The World's Most Dangerous Cheese and Its Enduring Legacy
Image Source : Andrea Serreli

Casu marzu, a traditional cheese from the Italian island of Sardinia, has gained notoriety as the world’s most dangerous cheese. Recognized by the Guinness World Records in 2009, this unique delicacy is infamous for being infested with live maggots. While some consider it a gourmet treasure, others view it as an unsettling culinary experience. Despite its illegal status in commercial markets, casu marzu continues to be a deeply rooted part of Sardinian food culture, cherished by locals and sought after by adventurous food lovers worldwide.


The cheese is made from fiore sardo, a type of pecorino produced from sheep’s milk. The process involves cheese skipper flies (Piophila casei) laying eggs in small cracks on the cheese's surface. As the larvae hatch, they consume the cheese, breaking down proteins and transforming its texture into a soft, creamy paste. When the cheese is ready, the top crust is removed, revealing a rich, pungent interior filled with writhing maggots. Some Sardinians prefer to spin the cheese in a centrifuge, blending the maggots into the paste, while others consume it as is, maggots included.


Casu marzu is known for its intense, complex flavors. The taste is deeply savory, with earthy and spicy notes that linger on the palate for hours. While some claim it has aphrodisiac properties, concerns about its health risks persist. The primary worry is that live maggots might survive digestion and cause myiasis, a condition where larvae infest the human digestive system. However, there has been no documented case linking casu marzu consumption to such infections. The cheese remains a symbol of Sardinian heritage, passed down through generations despite its controversial status.


Due to its production method, casu marzu can only be made during specific times of the year. The ideal period is late June, when the sheep’s milk composition changes as the animals enter their reproductive phase and summer heat dries the grasslands. Traditional producers believe that certain environmental conditions, such as the warm sirocco wind, enhance the fermentation process, ensuring the best quality cheese.


Despite its cultural significance, casu marzu has been illegal under Italian law since 1962 due to regulations prohibiting the sale of food containing parasites. Anyone caught selling it faces hefty fines, sometimes amounting to thousands of euros. However, Sardinians continue to produce and consume it within their communities, often sharing it among friends and family. Some local farms and agritourism businesses, such as Agriturismo Sa Mandra, keep the tradition alive, offering an authentic taste of this rare cheese to those willing to seek it out.


The European Union has recently begun to re-evaluate the role of insects in food production. As global discussions around sustainable diets gain momentum, researchers have highlighted the environmental benefits of insect consumption. Studies suggest that incorporating insects into human diets could help reduce carbon emissions from livestock farming and mitigate the impact of climate change. This shift in perspective may open doors for casu marzu to regain legal status, redefining its place in modern gastronomy.


While casu marzu remains a symbol of Sardinia’s rich culinary traditions, it also sparks debate about food safety, cultural heritage, and sustainability. Whether viewed as a forbidden delicacy or a relic of ancient cuisine, this cheese continues to captivate the curiosity of food lovers and researchers alike. As interest in traditional and sustainable foods grows, casu marzu may one day move beyond its underground status, reclaiming its place as a celebrated product of Sardinian craftsmanship.

G. Mudalige, Jadetimes Staff

G. Mudalige is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Technology & Innovation

 
Naomi vs. Chelsea Green: Elimination Chamber Qualifier Heats Up the Road to WrestleMania
Image Source : WWE

The road to WrestleMania is paved with intense battles, and the latest Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match between Naomi and Chelsea Green promises to be a high-stakes showdown. With a coveted spot in the grueling steel structure on the line, both competitors are prepared to leave it all in the ring. Naomi, a veteran of the Chamber, looks to capitalize on her experience, while Chelsea Green, the reigning Women's United States Champion, is determined to make her first-ever appearance in the unforgiving environment.


Naomi’s reputation as a seasoned competitor gives her a strategic edge. Having previously fought inside the Elimination Chamber, she understands the brutal demands of the structure and the physical toll it takes on every competitor. Her speed, agility, and resilience have made her a formidable force in WWE’s women’s division. With her signature athleticism and innovative offense, Naomi is more than capable of securing her place in one of WWE’s most dangerous matches. However, she faces a hungry and determined Chelsea Green, who has been making waves as the reigning Women’s United States Champion.


Chelsea Green’s rise in WWE has been nothing short of impressive. Since capturing the Women’s United States Championship, she has proven herself as a dominant competitor, blending technical prowess with a crafty in-ring style. This qualifying match presents an opportunity for Green to cement her legacy by earning her first-ever spot in the Elimination Chamber. While she may lack experience inside the steel structure, her adaptability and willingness to bend the rules have made her a dangerous opponent. If she can outmaneuver Naomi and capitalize on the right moments, she could earn a career-defining victory.


The significance of this match extends beyond just an Elimination Chamber qualification. The winner inches closer to WrestleMania, the pinnacle of sports entertainment, where championship dreams become reality. A victory here means a chance to compete inside the Chamber, where only the toughest will survive and earn a championship opportunity on the grandest stage of them all. Naomi’s experience and endurance will be tested against Chelsea Green’s momentum and determination, making this bout a must-watch for WWE fans.


As the WWE Universe eagerly anticipates the outcome, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Naomi brings her explosive offense and veteran instincts, while Chelsea Green enters with a chip on her shoulder, eager to prove she belongs among the elite. The unpredictability of this clash ensures that anything can happen, and with WrestleMania aspirations on the line, both competitors will stop at nothing to secure victory. Whether Naomi’s experience prevails or Green’s tenacity leads to an upset, the battle promises to be an electrifying chapter in the journey to the Elimination Chamber.


With championship dreams hanging in the balance, Naomi and Chelsea Green are set to deliver a thrilling showdown. Fans can expect high-impact action, dramatic near-falls, and a display of skill and heart from both competitors. As WWE’s road to WrestleMania intensifies, this match serves as a defining moment, setting the stage for who will take one step closer to history inside the unforgiving Elimination Chamber.

Iruni Kalupahana JadeTimes Staff

I. Kalupahana is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Russia-Ukraine war

 
Image Source: Shemetov/Reuters
Image Source: Shemetov/Reuters

In September 2022, a young IT worker from Moscow, Arseny, left Russia on the very day when President Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilisation. His mother phoned him at noon warning him about the situation. With news of long queues at the border and people selling their cars in panic, he quickly flew to Yerevan.


Following the full scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, millions fled Russia. According to various estimates, perhaps as many as two million, suggests human rights lawyer Anastasia Burakova though exact statistics are difficult to determine finding their lives abroad severely challenged from language to unemployment, many headed back home.


Arseny was among them, and he came back in December 2023 after more than a year abroad. Burakova's organisation, Kovcheg the Ark, helps Russian emigres with legal consultations, psychological help, and accommodation. She said that almost a million Russians remained abroad.


Emigration proceeded in two large waves: the first immediately after the outbreak of the war, when politically active people were afraid of persecution, and the second one after the announcement of mobilization, which included mostly apolitical people. Some have managed to settle abroad, but many cannot adapt and return to their native spaces in Russia.

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