Stinky Czech Cheese Ice Cream, Anyone?

This summer an Olomouc cafe has debuted an ice cream recipe based on its infamously smelly hometown cheese

Elizabeth Zahradnicek-Haas

Written by Elizabeth Zahradnicek-Haas Published on 05.08.2016 12:37:50 (updated on 05.08.2016) Reading time: 2 minutes

Olomoucké tvarůžky has been produced in the Czech Republic for more than 500 years, and is the country’s only cheese product that is registered as a Protected Geographical Indication by the EU.

Also known as syrečky, the cheese is instantly recognized by its pungent smell, frequently described as a rank odor akin to old gym socks that is, for many, entirely off-putting.

But what if the offensive cheese was to be served up in ice cream form?

Photo: Wiki / Dezidor
Photo: Wiki / Dezidor

This summer a daring cafe in Loštice near Šumperk is making the world’s first ice cream from the infamous cheese with the unmistakable aroma, reports iDnes.cz.

In a region where Tvarůžky specialties are commonplace, U lišky Bystroušky owner Roman Činčara hoped to develop a stand-out product, and it would seem that his unique ice cream—which is said to carry only the faintest aroma of stinky cheese—has done the trick.

There has been a huge interest in the smelly scoop among tourists and sales are rapidly growing (see the ice cream garnished with slices of Tvarůžky in the upper left-hand corner in the photo below).

Photo: U lišky Bystroušky / Facebook
Photo: U lišky Bystroušky / Facebook

Mr. Činčara is not the first innovator, however, to craft a sweet treat from a savory Czech cheese; for many years cheese manufacturer Král Sýrů has been serving hermelín ice cream at the Prague Food Festival.

The company has in recent years embarked on a Czech cheese etiquette campaign which encourages cheese lovers to pair a variety of Czech cheeses, including its signature hermelín and even soft, yellow Tvarůžky, with wine.

If you won’t make it to Loštice for ice cream but want to sample Tvarůžky dishes here in Prague, look for Loštický polibek (Kisses from Loštice) on menus, a slice of cheese with plum jam and whipped cream, or, as our vegetarian staffer suggests, Tatarák z olomouckých tvarůžků, a spreadable Tvarůžky mixed with garlic and seasonings and served on toast.

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