Mar 09 2009
Coffee Taster Has Expensive Taste Buds
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| Photo courtesy of bdopudja |
I’m betting that Genaro Pelliccio won’t be licking any cacti any time soon. Not if he wants to stay employed.
Costa Coffee, one of England’s biggest coffee chains, recently insured Pelliccio’s tongue for £10 million - that’s $13.9 million to us Yanks. Apparently, Costa believes that Genaro Pelliccio’s tastebuds are a key ingredient in their coffee chain’s success.
The insurance policy was taken out through Lloyd’s of London, which coincidentally, started life in a coffee house in the 1680s. That’s right, the world’s most famous insurance company began in Lloyd’s Coffee House, where business men often met and transacted business over a cup of coffee.
So maybe the directors have a sentimental attachment to the coffee business. Or maybe they really like the money that will be coming in - the estimate is that the premium for Mr. Pelliccio’s tongue will run Costa’s about £10,000 a year.
The new policy dwarfs one taken out by a wine company to insure the nose of Dutch winemaker Ilja Gort last year. Gort’s company insured the nose for a mere £4.4 million.
Taking a few minutes this morning before heading to the hospital. Thanks for your good wishes, much appreciated.
Coffee taste tests, if I get to work this work; thats one of the things we’ll be doing. Coffee tasting is one of long term projects. I work in food market research. So enjoyed reading your post this am.
Sandy