Classroom Resources  
Student Article

Why Cheese Tastes So Good ... and Smells So Strange!

By: Dr. Stuart Farrimond
Originally Published in  Science Focus

Sweet dreams are made of cheese.

The article "Why Cheese Tastes So Good ... and Smells So Strange!" from BBC Science Focus explores why cheese is so delicious and sometimes smelly. It explains how bacteria and fungi change milk into cheese and create its unique flavors. The article also looks at why our brains crave cheesy foods and why we enjoy strange smells in cheese.
Student Article Info

BBC's Science Focus is packed with news, discoveries, ideas and innovations to keep you up-to-speed with the complexities of the fast-moving world around us. Learn more about subscriptions here.

Grades:
3-56-89-12
Subject:
Science
Topic:
Life Science
Keywords
cheesesmellaromacheese-makingfood sciencemicrobesflavordairy fermentation
Illustration of a man sleeping on the ground beside a plate of cheese
© Adam Gale

Most passages are available in three different versions: Level 1 (Grade 3-5), Level 2 (Grade 6-8), and Level 3 (Grade 9-12). Some more complex texts are available only in Level 2 and Level 3. Use the versions that are most appropriate for the students in your class.

Note: The BBC Learning Hub Editorial Team made use of AI tools to create multiple versions of this article, each tailored to different student reading levels. Every version undergoes a thorough review by our BBC Learning editors to ensure accuracy, quality, and appropriateness.

1
Level 1 Reading Passage
Grades: 3-5Lexile Level: 500-700L
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2
Level 2 Reading Passage
Grades: 6-8Lexile Level: 800L-900L
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3
Level 3 Reading Passage
Grades: 9-12Lexile Level: 1000-1400L
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