Cheese has been around for a very long time. Though its exact origins are a bit hazy, it was been found in the tomb of an influential ancient Egyptian that dates back as many as 3,200 years ago.
These cheeses come from various points in history and regions around the world. They are made of cow, goat, and sheep’s milk. They are washed, aged, and wrapped.
Bossa is one of the only washed-rind sheep’s milk cheeses in the United States. This smelly cheese stinks because it is a washed-rind cheese, and this type of cheese often has a pungent aroma.
Boulette d’Avesnes
Named after the village Avesnes on the French-Belgian border where it was originally produced, Boulette d’Avesnes is a fresh, soft cow’s milk cheese. Made from Maroilles or buttermilk, and flavored with cloves, parsley, tarragon, and pepper, Boulette d’Avesnes is molded into a cone by hand and then either covered with paprika or dyed with annatto.
Good Thunder
Good Thunder is a square, semi-hard, smear-ripened, washed-rind cheese produced by Alemar Cheese Company in Mankato, Minnesota. For three weeks, it is washed in an oatmeal brown ale from Surly Brewing Company.
Hooligan is a ripe, washed-rind cheese produced at Cato Corner Farm in Connecticut from Brown Swiss and Jersey cow’s milk. This strong-smelling cheese is aged for about 60-75 days. Hooligan has a savory, nutty flavor similar to French Muenster.