When it comes to cheese, how stinky is too stinky? The aging process brings out certain prized characteristics, but is there a limit in how long cheese should mature? Or, to put it more bluntly, how would a 340-year-old cheese that absolutely reeks suit you?
Swedish scientists were recently re-exploring a shipwreck named the Kronan, which sunk into the Baltic Sea back in 1676. Twenty thousand items had been salvaged since the 1980s, including gold coins, cannons, pharmaceuticals, 400 kilograms of bones and partial skulls of crew members (with brain tissue).
The cheese was found more recently in a black tin on the ocean floor, according to The Local, when divers were searching areas underneath the wreckage. Researchers brought it back to the surface, but the lid came off in transit.
“That’s when the smell hit us,” researcher Lars Einarsson told Kvällsposten. “I certainly don’t recommend tasting it. It’s a mass of bacteria.”
Though somewhat repulsive, the scientists did describe the smell as a cross between (delicious) Roquefort and yeast. It was remarkably well-preserved, and described as “gooey” in consistency, though Einarsson wryly told The Local, “it has been at the bottom of the sea for 340 years—we're not talking Tutankhamun's burial chamber.”
The cheese is now being kept at low temperatures so researchers can learn as much as possible about the dairy artifact while they can. It could provide fascinating insight into 17th century Swedish diets, especially during war (the Kronan was a warship, sunk in battle).
For his part, Einarsson seems to be right on the border of wanting to take a little nibble—but just can’t bring himself there. "I think it smells quite nice, because I like exotic food,” Einarsson told The Local. “But I would not want to taste it."
But if you were to take the plunge, serving up that goo to curiosity seekers at a posh dinner party, one obvious question remains: What beverage pairs best with 340-year-old cheese? Might we suggest this 170-year-old shipwreck beer, with notes of goat and rotting cabbage? Bottoms up.
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Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.