By Nina Porzucki

Recently, an Italian cheesemaker, Quattro Madonne Caseificio dell'Emilia, announced that it has raised more than $6 million in bonds guaranteed by wheels of Parmigiano Reggiano. Yep, Parmesan cheese. Parmesan has the name recognition.

In fact cheesemakers in the European Union outside of a certain region of Italy cannot use the term Parmigiano Reggiano. It's an older variety of cheese that's been traded around Europe since medieval times, says Fabio Parasecoli, who directs the Food Studies Initiative at The New School in New York City. 

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Source: http://www.pri.org/