Some foods smell so bad it is hard to believe anyone would want to eat them, but I have learned that the stinkiest foods often taste the best. The first time I tried one of these, I almost walked away just because of the smell. But once I took a bite, I was shocked by how good it actually was. Sometimes your nose can mislead you, but your taste buds tell the truth. If you can move past the smell, you might find something you really enjoy.
Collard Greens
Collard greens are a common side dish in Southern cuisine. Pair them with some mac and cheese or fried chicken, and you have a classic Southern meal!
But collard greens do have one little problem- they stink. The leafy greens have a sulfurous smell similar to rotten eggs. They smell terrible when you chop them up and break the leaves, releasing those odors. Saute the collard greens quickly with some onions, garlic, and chicken broth, and then you won’t notice the smell at all! You’ll just taste the yummy, healthy greens.
Brussels Sprouts
Here is another green veggie that has a particularly bad smell. Brussels sprouts also have an eggy smell that makes them unappealing to many people. The wonky smell and weird look of Brussels sprouts is why this healthy vegetable isn’t as popular as others. Slice those Brussels sprouts in half and sear them with some olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and you will be eating one delicious dish!
Balsamic Vinegar
Speaking of balsamic vinegar, that brown liquid we love to pour on salad dressing definitely has a weird smell. If you put your nose to a bottle of balsamic vinegar and sniff, you will likely need to cough, gag, or instantly cry.
Vinegar has a very sour, intense smell that can be hard to take. Balsamic vinegar can be dulled down a little bit by mixing it with oil and making a dressing. The naturally sweet taste of balsamic is unbeatable, which is why it is still so popular despite the intense scent.
Blue Cheese
There is nothing quite as stinky as blue cheese. Blue cheese gets its powerful scent from the mold, which is encouraged to grow on the cheese. It has an earthy, musty smell that can be hard to escape. However, if you can stand the smell of blue cheese and take a big bite, you will enjoy one of the creamiest, tastiest cheeses on earth. Blue cheese is popular for a reason! It does taste really good.
Hard Boiled Eggs
People often refer to stinky things as “smelling like rotten eggs”. That is because eggs have a very strong sulfur smell that is pretty awful. Hard-boiled eggs reek. The scent alone makes them very unappealing. However, eggs are full of nutritious protein and taste great with a little salt and pepper. We can get past the eggy smell and enjoy eggs anyway!
Truffle Oil
There is no mistaking the smell of truffle oil. It is so powerful! You can almost instantly tell when it has been drizzled on a food. That earthy scent is hard to miss. Try to enjoy the strong scent, if you can, so that you can taste it and appreciate the flavor. It can add lots of savory flavor to everything from pasta to french fries!
Papaya
Papaya is another stinky fruit that we love to eat. The orangy pink flesh may smell like stinky feet but we don’t care! It tastes sweet, rich and adds a tropical flair to our favorite smoothies! We love it, even if it does smell completely awful.
Kimchi
Kimchi smells like fermented cabbage, which is not very appealing. But it smells like fermented cabbage because it actually is fermented cabbage. This scent may not be the best thing in the world, but once you manage to take a bite of kimchi, you will really appreciate its complexity. Kimchi tastes spicy, tangy and quite delicious. Yes, it smells bad, but it tastes pretty darn good!
Fish Sauce
You could probably guess that fish sauce smells like fish, but it goes even further than that. It smells like very, very strong fish. We admit that fish sauce smells gross, but it adds rich flavor to Asian cuisine. Without it, so many Asian dishes that we love would taste extremely bland. Fish sauce is the secret to flavor! Just don’t open a bottle and put your nose right up to the opening. That would be a bad idea.
Surstromming
I wanted to be adventurous and try surströmming, but I have to be honest. I could not do it. The smell hit me the second the can was opened, and it was unlike anything I had ever experienced. Think of the strongest mix of dirty socks and something that has been left out in the sun for way too long. Surströmming is fermented herring that is not even cooked before serving, and while some say the taste is incredible, I could not get past the smell. This one is only for the truly dedicated.
Asafoetida
You may have never heard of this unique spice that is growing in popularity, but you will soon! Asafoetida is a yellow powder spice made from a root found in India. It is quite good for your digestion and has a nice garlicky flavor. It is used a lot in Indian cuisine despite smelling like burning latex. The smell can be overpowering, but the flavor is actually mild and quite tasty.
Natto
Natto is a Japanese dish made from fermented soybeans. You can guess that it has a very powerful stench. Many people think it smells like stinky cheese or bad eggs. The slimy texture doesn’t help it’s appeal. But natto tastes incredible, especially when paired with a bowl of rice. Be brave and give it a try!
Durian
Durian is the classic example of a fruit that is extremely stinky but actually pretty yummy. This fruit is native to Southeast Asia and has a large, yellow exterior. Cut into the fruit, and you will be hit by a strong, musty smell. Durian has a sweet, custard-like flavor like a cheesecake if you can get past the odor. The caramel and vanilla taste is pretty irresistible! We just wish it didn’t smell so badly. Learn more about durian!
Sauerkraut
Sauerkraut has a very sour, strong smell. It is almost too stinky to eat! The fermenting cabbage may smell very bad, but it actually tastes surprisingly good. Not only does sauerkraut add delicious, powerful flavor as a condiment, but it is also pretty healthy. All those natural bacteria are good for your gut health! So, hold your nose and take a big bite!
Noni Fruit
Noni fruit can be found in Tahiti and is known to be a serious stinker. Many people think that the fruit smells like vomit. However, if you can get past the smell, you will get to enjoy a healthy fruit that is full of antioxidants and vitamins. It is also not overly sweet, perfect for those who prefer a more savory fruit.
This post was originally published on Spatula Desserts
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