An ice cream made out of a traditional pungent cheese has become a surprise hit in a small Czech town, with happy buyers scooping all the innovative producer can make.

Tvaruzek, or Tvaruzky in plural, is a mature yellowish cheese with a strong taste and smell that is more usually enjoyed with bread, possibly onions and, inevitably in the Czech Republic, beer.

"Lot of people think it will be salty, but it is really a fairly sweet ice cream with a Tvaruzky cheese taste," cafe owner and ice cream maker Roman Cincara says.

Cincara adds sugar and other ingredients to balance out the cheesy taste and the odour is somewhat suppressed by the low temperature.

He has applied to have his recipe patented and his cafe in the eastern town of Lostice, the home of Tvaruzky cheese which is popular throughout the country, was bustling with business the past weekend, selling all 400 portions available.

Customer Lukas Pupik was convinced.

"Superb. Sweet-salty, great. It really tastes like Tvaruzky."

Tvaruzky has been produced in the eastern Olomouc region since 15th century. It gained "protected geographical indication" status from the European Union in 2010.

Contact the writer at @chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily USA 08/24/2016 page10)