Why Italy’s Smelliest Cheese is Actually Illegal

As Italy prepares to host the Winter Olympics in the Dolomites, I traveled to Trentino to document how some of its most traditional foods are made. In this first episode of my Road to the Winter Olympics series, I’m in Moena, near Val di Fiemme, to see how Puzzone di Moena is produced, often described as Italy’s smelliest cheese. From the dairy to the aging rooms, I follow the process behind this washed-rind cheese and look at why its future has become more complicated in recent years. I also taste Crudo di Moena, a raw-milk alternative made outside the protected system. Some travel and access for this trip were provided with the support of Dolomita, who helped with local outreach and research. https://dolomita.net/ Catch up on other episodes here:    • I Tried Alpine Food at One of Italy’s Olde...      • Is This Alpine Parmesan-Style Cheese Italy...      • The Secrets Behind Italy’s Rarest Smoked Meat   🇮🇹 My Italy tours https://loliv.it/en/claudia-romeo-tou... 📝 Apply for a private food & culture travel consultation https://forms.gle/pNPw4AWNa66QTTuX7 🗞️ Join my newsletter https://newsletter.claudiaromeo.com/ 🎥 Want to be featured in a documentary? Apply here https://forms.gle/e7PUUpATqE9Go28BA Visit https://www.carpanoshop.com/ https://www.agriturelmas.it/en/ 00:00 Welcome to Moena, home of Italy’s smelliest cheese 01:24 How milk is transformed into cheese 02:53 Why is Puzzone so smelly? Inside the aging rooms 06:15 The raw milk controversy: why traditional Puzzone di Moena could disappear 10:52 Crudo di Moena: a raw-milk, moldy rebel 13:50 Cutting open and tasting Puzzone and Crudo wheels 23:40 Stay tuned for Road to the Winter Olympics Ep 2: Trentino’s oldest alpine hut This video is a food documentary part of my traditional food stories series. Subscribe to my channel if you love food and travel    / @claudia-romeo   #italy #cheese #olympics #alps #food #traditionalfood #cooking #foodvideo #foodie Let’s connect Instagram:   / claudiaromeo   TikTok:   / .claudiaromeo   Snapchat:   / claudia-romeo   Facebook:   / cldromeo   My Amazon recommendations: https://www.amazon.com/shop/claudiaromeo Buy me a ☕: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/claudiar... My Equipment - AF Panasonic LUMIX S5II https://amzn.to/3NvUeow Sony ZV-E10 https://amzn.to/3GJJr7f Osmo Pocket 3: https://amzn.to/4jabeyb Rode Wireless GO II https://amzn.to/3GGo5ax Joby Telepod https://amzn.to/3jREKiL Joby Compact Tripod https://amzn.to/3ZaCvqN Contact [email protected] About me I’m a journalist and producer with over 10 years of experience covering traditional dishes, food culture, and culinary craftsmanship. Originally from Bari, Italy, and now in London, I’ve built my career exploring how food reflects the identity of people and places. On this channel, I document iconic foods, meet local producers and artisans, and explore the relationship between land, culture, and cuisine. Previously, my work featured on Business Insider’s Regional Eats, So Expensive, and Food Tours. Copyright Notice All footage, interviews, and original content in this video are protected by copyright and may not be reproduced, redistributed, or used in any form without prior written permission. Unauthorized use, including but not limited to reuploads, edits, or incorporation into other works, may result in legal action. This channel is dedicated to self-funded independent journalism. For licensing inquiries, please contact: [email protected]