For some people, there's nothing like splitting open a freshly picked durian, its pungent odor nearly asphyxiating one's olfactory nerves. Durian isn't the globe's only stinky staple; in fact, various populations and cultures around the world consume items that many would deem gag-worthy. So just what sort of ferociously fragrant foods am I alluding to? Well, I'm about to reveal to you the top 12 stinkiest foods on the planet.
1. Century Egg
"Where does this egg receive its almost nightmarish look?" you may be wondering. The dark, menacing color is a result of a sort of egg fermentation process. An egg is placed inside of a mushy concoction of tea, clay, lime, ash and salt, only to be retrieved for consumption multiple years later. Because of how long the egg remains in the paste, it has been dubbed the "century egg." This mummified, hard-boiled source of fright, which possesses a strong fragrance of urine, is consumed in a handful of Southeast Asian countries.
2. Doenjang
Imagine eating a way stinkier, Asian version of marmite. That's Doenjang. This fermented soybean paste is a regular part of Korean cuisine, and its flavor is described as savory. Now, Doenjang may be more palatable than our friend the century egg; however, your nose may not be so accustomed to it's somewhat high-school laboratory-like smell: an ammonia-esque zing.
3. Hakarl
"One man's delicacy is another man's vomit-inducing stimulus," should be the tagline of this dish. Made in Iceland, Hakarl is fermented shark meat. Though the cute display above seems like a friendly assortment of cheeses, do not be fooled: eating Hakarl is like consuming a solidified tube of ammonia.
4. Iru
5. Kimchi
The Korean origins of Kimchi have been disseminated across the globe and can be found in most grocery stores. Though this combination of fermented vegetables contains a pungent punch, kimchi has numerous health benefits.
6. Kiviak
7. Limburger Cheese
Limburger cheese might sound like an up-scale dairy oasis, but it's actually one of the world's most stinky cheeses. The strong smell of Limburger cheese is attributed to the same bacteria that causes human body odor.
8. Lutefisk
Lutefisk (aka 'lye fish') has its origins in Nordic cuisine. The dish is composed of soak-dried whitefish that is placed in lye, which gives it a gelatinous taste (and stench).
9. Natto
Imagine a galaxy in some far-away universe called Disgustica, and in Disgustica, the evil twin of the Rice Krispie treat was invented: a gooey, sticky concoction not of sweet sugar and rice, but of fermented soybeans. In Japan, people eat Natto regularly and often complement the dish with sushi or miso soup. I'm guessing that the aroma of soup masks the sweaty sock odor of Natto.
10. Surstromming
Lovers of Swedish Fish, prepare to be disappointed that Surstromming is not exactly your favorite candy. That is, unless you enjoy incredibly fermented, odorous herring.
11. Stinky Tofu
As the name implies, this tofu is incredibly stinky. Why? Well, for starters, the fermented milk brine in which it soaks is said to get so rotten that maggots even swarm in it. But that's not even the worst part. People have reported that chemicals and even human waste have been used by vendors to allow the tofu to acquire the perfect stinky taste as fast as possible. Mmm. Delightful.
12. Vieux Boulogne Cheese
In 2004, expert olfactory researchers at the Cranfield University in Bedfordshire, United Kingdom, decided that Vieux Boulogne is the smelliest cheese on the planet. It's smell closely resembles shit, for lack of a better word.
Now that you've been informed of some of the worlds stinkiest foods, you can take this knowledge with you on your trip abroad and spare yourself a rancid meal!
