It’s like gold, but a tongue. It’s complicated

It’s like gold, but a tongue. It’s complicated

Costa Coffee insures its Master of Coffee’s tongue for AED50 million.

March 18, 2009 1:11 by Dana El Baltaji

Costa Coffee’s Master of Coffee, Gennaro Pelliccia, has had his tongue insured for £10 million (AED50 million) at Lloyd’s of London. Pelliccia personally samples each new batch of coffee beans before they are roasted and distributed around the world.

“In my profession, my taste buds and sensory skills are crucial,” Pelliccia said. “My 18 years of experience enable me to distinguish between thousands of flavors. My taste buds also allow me to distinguish any defects, which enable me to protect and guarantee Costa’s unique Mocha Italia blend.”

A company spokesperson said: “The taste buds of a Master of Coffee are as important as the vocal chords of a singer or the legs of a top model, and this is one of the biggest single insurance policies taken out for one person. It shows how valuable Gennaro’s tongue is to the Costa brand and everything it stands for.”

And why shouldn’t he have his tongue insured? Tina Turner insured her legs for $3.2 million. And Bruce Springsteen insured his voice for $6 million.