Parmesan Cheese... And Other Stinky Things! Quiz

Answer: There are maggots in the cheese

This cheese has been deemed by many to be so vile that it has been illegal to produce or purchase in some locations. This cheese that is native to Sardinia, Italy, is made by using Pecorino Sardo cheese. It is then left out in the open with part of the rind open.

As it is exposed, cheese flies scientifically named Piophila casei lay eggs in the cheese. These eggs then hatch into thousands of white maggots. As these maggots feed on the cheese, they cause the Casu Marzu to decompose. The cheese has a very potent smell and very strong taste.

It is often served with red wine and used as a spread on flatbread. An issue with the cheese is that the cheese and the maggots associated with the cheese have proven to cause illnesses. These illnesses include allergic reactions, abdominal pain, fecal blood, vomiting, internal burning, and crawling sensations on the body. Perhaps that Parmesan cheese isn't so bad after all.

Answer: Africa

With the exception of the northern countries of Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, and Egypt and the Congo basin in central Africa, the striped polecat can pretty much be located in most other regions of Africa. With a small physique and 34 sharp teeth, the striped polecat is one of the most aggressive members of the Mustelidae family.

As a defense and marking mechanism, this unique animal actually marks its territory with its own feces and, like the skunk, has a potent anal spray to fend off potential threats.

As disturbing and stinky as this might be, it works well to the advantage of the polecat for it causes temporary blindness and burning of the eyes just long enough to attack and feed on their next meal.

Answer: Stench gas

Ethanethiol or "stench gas" is a colorless gas that is dropped in small quantities in the case of a serious emergency such as an underground explosion to alert miners to get to safety. It has a chemical structure similar to that of ethanol but sulfur replaces oxygen within the structure.

The smell of the gas is meant to be off-putting so as not to confuse the miners of the situation during a crisis. Many miners have described the smell of this substance as that of rotten leeks, onions, durian fruit, cooked cabbage, and even rotten eggs.

Answer: Cysteine

Keratin is a protein that acts like a glue in the make up of human hair. Within this protein is an amino acid known as cysteine. This amino acid contains sulfur. Unfortunately, if you accidentally singe the hair on your arms, legs, face, or head, it releases the potent smell of the sulfur.

As a result, burnt hair has a smell that many say is similar to that of sulfuric acid (strong and potent). The worst part of this situation is the fact that not only do you end up smelling like sulfuric acid, the smell may stay both in the air and on your skin for a long period of time.

Answer: Midden

Midden is a word that derived out of Scandinavian language. These sites today typically look like mounds that are covered in vegetation. They are useful to archaeologists because they provide a large source of information about historical dieting practices and the habits present in historical societies.

Historically, middens were used for the disposal of just about everything from animal bones, lithics, garbage, and even human waste. Just thinking about the smell of human waste is enough to turn your stomach.

Answer: Yes

Scientific studies have proven that people that have been exposed to toxic black mold for lengthy periods of time are likely to become quite ill. Symptoms from exposure to black mold include shortness of breath, sneezing, coughing, burning sensations in the lungs, and nose bleeds.

More severe cases of exposure to black mold have included heart inflammation, vomiting of blood, jaundice, and blurry vision. Some scientific studies are now even attributing black mold to cause death in humans. Just when I thought the smell of these buildings was putrid, I am glad that I never stuck around these buildings long enough to have developed the health problems associated with the mold that was probably inside of them.

Answer: Halitosis

Halitosis is a technical term for when someone has a bad odor when they exhale from their mouth. In general, most people do not like this smell as it often resembles that of feces. Some of the most common reasons for halitosis include bacteria on the tongue and inflammation of the gums known as gingivitis. Regular cleaning of the teeth and mouth by brushing, flossing, and use of mouthwash can help to minimize the foul odor.

In some cases, however, referral to the dentist or to a doctor to receive treatment may occur if halitosis is related to liver, stomach, or renal issues.

Answer: Irwindale, California, USA

Huy Fong Foods originated when David Tran, a Vietnamese national, was forced to flee from his homeland in 1979 as a refugee. He was granted asylum in the United States and began his company, naming it after the refugee ship that brought him to the United States.

After millions of bottles had already been sold during the history of the company, a group of concerned citizens complained that the odor emanating from the factory were annoying and sensitive to the human senses. The city of Irwindale, California, filed the lawsuit on behalf of its citizens in October 2013, but in May 2014, it was announced that the lawsuit had been dropped.

Answer: Stench soup

Stench soup is a combination of eight different chemicals. The purpose was to create a smell so bad that it combined various foul smells such as vomit, human excrement, and even rotting meat. In fact, olfactory specialist Pamela Dalton who worked directly on the project said in an interview that what made the smell even more repulsive was the fact that it also mixed pleasant floral and fruity smells within the mixture.

Answer: Medical examiner

Medical examiners are trained in the medical area known as forensic pathology. Their job typically deals with determining how, when, and where a person died. They are typically brought into a death investigation when the death is deemed suspicious, violent, or unnatural in nature. What makes this job one that should not be for the faint of heart is the fact that they are smelling death every day.

It is said that a putrefying body actually has an indescribable smell. The closest that many have come to describing it is that of rotting meat, but with a sweetness to it. Ummmm, yuck!