Trading in Parmesan
In a startlingly Italian turn of events, it has been revealed that Parmigiano Reggianno (the highest class of Parmesan cheese) is used as an alternative currency in Italy.
Unfortunately, you still can't wander into your local electronics shop and exchange a gargantuas wheel of cheese for the latest television, however fingers crossed these days will be upon us soon. What you can do is use wheels of Parmesan as collateral in order to receive a loan.
Banks will always require collateral before they issue a loan and, in England, this often takes the shape of your house, your business, or stocks and shares. Nonetheless, in Italy, Parmigiano Reggiano is the collateral of choice for many cheese-makers and an accepted form of currency for many banks. Banks have specifically-designed warehouses that hold over 300,000 wheels of cheese, which can be worth upwards of €160 million.
No need for me to explain this further as there's a lovely, humorous and fun short video that has been released online to help explain further. Just to clarify, this is well worth a watch and, despite championing the quintessentially dull theme of loans, it is far, far away from being boring.
Check it out here and enjoy the plethora of smiling Italians on show, a surefire way to put a grin on your face this Easter.
Unfortunately, you still can't wander into your local electronics shop and exchange a gargantuas wheel of cheese for the latest television, however fingers crossed these days will be upon us soon. What you can do is use wheels of Parmesan as collateral in order to receive a loan.
Banks will always require collateral before they issue a loan and, in England, this often takes the shape of your house, your business, or stocks and shares. Nonetheless, in Italy, Parmigiano Reggiano is the collateral of choice for many cheese-makers and an accepted form of currency for many banks. Banks have specifically-designed warehouses that hold over 300,000 wheels of cheese, which can be worth upwards of €160 million.
No need for me to explain this further as there's a lovely, humorous and fun short video that has been released online to help explain further. Just to clarify, this is well worth a watch and, despite championing the quintessentially dull theme of loans, it is far, far away from being boring.
Check it out here and enjoy the plethora of smiling Italians on show, a surefire way to put a grin on your face this Easter.
Comments
Post a Comment