Why can you smell cheeses even if they are in clingfilm?

You're right, cheese can be quite pungent! Here's why you can still smell it even when it's wrapped in cling film:

* Volatile Compounds: Cheese contains many volatile compounds, meaning they easily turn into gases. These gases are responsible for the strong aroma we associate with cheese.

* Cling film isn't airtight: While cling film creates a barrier, it's not completely airtight. Small gaps and the porous nature of the plastic allow some of those volatile gases to escape.

* Diffusion: Even if the cling film were perfectly sealed, gases can still move through the plastic by a process called diffusion. This means the gas molecules will slowly spread out, eventually reaching your nose.

So, even though cling film can help to reduce the intensity of the smell, it can't completely stop it.