It’s not legally called that

Are Parmesan and Parmigiano Reggiano the same thing?

Champagne, Parmesan, Dijon-–these are all names that instantly make us think about specific products, but have we actually tried them? Maybe, if the products in question came from specific parts of France or Italy. Many names we use for common things are actually geographical markers or protected designations of origin (PDO) —meaning that they can only be used for products elaborated in a specific part of the world— or fall under a similar legal label. Here are some PDOs that we use constantly, and some so common that they have become generic.

One of the most famous examples of a Protected Designation of Origin, the name Champagne refers to a series of sparkling wines from the Champagne wine region of France, with several varieties determined by sweetness, aging time, and grape blend. The "Champagne" designation is recognized and protected in more than 130 countries, where similar products from other regions are sold as "sparkling wine".

The original Eau de Cologne, or Kölnisch Wasser, was never a legally recognized PDO, but the name served as a geographical marker in the beginning. Developed in the German city of Cologne, it differed from the French eau de parfum because it had a much lower concentration of fragrance oils. Over time, the popularity of the product, much more affordable than perfumes thanks to the lower amount of oil used, resulted in the name losing its geographical association and becoming a generic term for less concentrated fragrances. In English, in particular, the term "cologne" is commonly associated with fragrances catered toward men.

You might be used to the name "parmesan" for a specific type of cheese, but that is just the anglicized version of Parmigiano Reggiano, an Italian hard cheese produced in the Emilia-Romagna and Lombardia regions. Named after the city of Parma and the Reggio Emilia province, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese is often hailed as the "king of cheeses", and it’s so valued that some Italian banks accept it as collateral for loans. While under European law both "Parmigiano Reggiano" and "Parmesan" are PDOs, outside that area the legal protections apply only to the Italian name, which allows similar products to be sold under the name "Parmesan".

Much stronger and pungent than American mustard, Dijon mustard is sometimes an acquired taste, but still widely popular. Named after the city of Dijon in Burgundy, France, its name never became a PDO, which allows manufacturers all around the world to produce and sell "Dijon mustard", provided that they follow the traditional recipe and preparation. There is, however, a Dijon mustard that is legally protected. The Moutarde de Bourgogne, or Burgundy Mustard, is a Dijon variety that is only made in the Burgundy region, with specific local ingredients.

Have you ever wondered what the difference was between whisky and scotch? All scotch is whisky, but not all whiskies are scotch. Whisky is an umbrella term for a distilled spirit made from fermented grain mash, and applies to products from all over the world (although products from Ireland and the U.S. are traditionally called "whiskey"). On the other hand, Scotch refers to whisky made from malt, barley, or a combination of the two, produced and aged in Scotland following certain guidelines. The PDO category doesn’t always apply to distilled spirits, so Scotch whisky falls under the Geographical Indication (GI) category instead.

One of the most famous Greek ingredients, feta cheese is instantly recognizable for its crumbly texture and salty brine. Made from sheep’s milk (sometimes combined with goat’s milk), "Feta" has, since 2002, been strictly reserved for cheese of this style manufactured in mainland Greece and the Lesbos prefecture, but this restriction applies only to the European Union. Elsewhere, similar cheeses from different regions are produced and sold as "Feta" cheese.

Are these olives called "Kalamata" because they are from Kalamata in the Messenia region of Greece or because they are of the Kalamata variety? Well, both. The Kalamata variety originated in Kalamata, hence the name, but this creates some confusion when it comes to legal designations. Within the European Union, "Kalamata" is a PDO not for olives, but for olive oil made with this variety, which has to be grown, harvested, and processed within the Messenia region. When it comes to olives sold as "Kalamata," though, the term is not protected, as the Kalamata variety is grown all over the world.

It might come as a surprise that "Panama hat" is a PDO, but what might be even more surprising is that it strictly refers to hats made in Ecuador, not in Panama. Also known as an Ecuadorian hat, a Jipijapa hat, or a toquilla straw hat, these lightweight, brimmed straw hats are traditionally handmade with the leaves of a local palm, and different Ecuadorian regions have unique styles, which are also legally protected. Why is it known as a "Panama" hat? These hats were initially commercialized in Panama and were popular among workers in the Panama Canal. When asked about the origin of their hats, they usually answered "Panama", unaware of its Ecuadorian origins.

What is Cashmere? Depends on who you ask. As a proper name, it is the anglicized version of Kashmir, a region in the Himalayas. It is also the name of a goat breed, present across Central Asia (Kashmir included). Additionally, cashmere wool is obtained from cashmere goats, but also from other related breeds from Central and East Asia, and even some places in Europe and Australia. As a product, cashmere wool is not a PDO, but to be truly considered worthy of the name, it has to be harvested from a cashmere goat or a related breed and not be mixed with other fibers.

Tequila is extremely popular in the U.S., but did you know that it can only be sold as "Tequila" if it’s produced in the Mexican state of Jalisco or in specific municipalities in the states of Guanajuato, Michoacan, Nayarit, or Tamaulipas? It also needs to be made with blue agave and contain 51% agave sugars or more. Heavily protected and regulated under Mexican law, "Tequila" is also a recognized designation in more than 40 countries. Any similar product made elsewhere, or with different ingredients or composition, cannot be legally called tequila, and should be commercialized as an "agave spirit".

BEYOND THE FIVE

10 Weird Senses Humans And Other Animals Have

Image: Bacila Vlad

Who said there are only five senses? While humans rely heavily on sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing, there are many more sensory abilities in both humans and animals, some of which can seem bizarre or even otherworldly.

From detecting magnetic fields to perceiving infrared light, here are 10 extraordinary senses that will challenge your understanding of animal perception.

Image: Inge Poelman

Despite having a weird name, this is by far one of the most standard senses among living organisms. Humans and animals alike rely on proprioception to perceive the position and movement of their bodies in space. This sense operates through specialized receptors (mechanosensory neurons) located in muscles and joints, providing crucial feedback to our brains for keeping balance, coordination, and doing precise movements.

Image: Jametlene Reskp

Some animals, like birds, turtles, and even some insects, possess the remarkable ability to sense Earth's magnetic field. This sense, known as magnetoreception, allows them to navigate during migration or find their way home with astonishing accuracy. In fact, some scientists argue that humans might have a latent or even subconscious ability to perceive Earth’s magnetic field through a number of receptors located in the optical retina.

Image: TJ Fitzsimmons

Bats and dolphins are well known for their use of echolocation, emitting high-frequency sounds and interpreting the echoes to navigate and locate prey. A form of active sonar similar to the one used by ships and submarines, this extraordinary sense enables them to "see" their surroundings even in complete darkness. Interestingly, some insects that are hunted by echolocating bats have developed active countermeasures against them, using ultrasonic clicks for echolocation jamming or by imitating the call of toxic species.

Image: Amos

Sharks, rays, and certain fish have electroreceptive organs called ampullae of Lorenzini, allowing them to detect the electric fields produced by other animals. In most species, this sense is paired with the ability to generate weak electric fields of their own. This unique sense aids in both navigating and hunting in murky or dark waters, where traditional senses might fall short. Monotremes like platypus and echidnas have curiously evolved a similar sense of electroreception to aid them in finding food.

Image: Wolfgang Hasselmann

Thermoception or thermoreception is the sense that aids in detecting changes in the surrounding temperature, and it is the reason anything feels hot or cold. In large animals, like humans, thermoception occurs mainly in the skin. But some species, like pit vipers, possess specialized organs capable of detecting infrared radiation, allowing them to sense heat from prey or predators. Recently, scientists have discovered that dogs possess thermoreceptors within their noses, allowing them to detect weak thermal changes in front of them.

Image: Alexander Grey

Certain insects, such as ants and locusts, possess hygroreceptors that allow them to detect humidity levels in their environment. This sense helps them find suitable habitats, avoid desiccation, and regulate behaviors like nest-building and foraging. And while you might think humans can also tell whether something is wet or not, the truth is we don’t have any hygroreceptors, and can only infer wetness through contextual clues - as wet objects tend to be colder or feel slippery.

Image: Mikhail Vasilyev

Many animals, including insects, mammals, and even some reptiles, communicate using pheromones – chemical signals similar to hormones that trigger social or reproductive behaviors. This sense plays a vital role in mate selection, territory marking, and coordination within social groups. Social insects make extensive use of this ability to coordinate complex colonies and establish hierarchies.

Image: Franco Antonio Giovanella

The vestibular system, found in the inner ear of humans and most vertebrates, contributes to balance, spatial orientation, and sense of motion. This sense is made of two main components or specialized organs: semicircular canals that indicate rotation, and otoliths, which help perceive linear acceleration. This intricate sense helps us stay upright, perceive gravity, and coordinate movements, essential skills for activities like walking or running.

Image: Aron Visuals

While the subjective experience of time might not be associated with a specific sensory system, scientists seem to agree that there are a series of complementary mechanisms that allow humans to perceive the passing of time. In fact, some animals exhibit remarkable abilities to perceive temporal changes, a crucial ability for survival. It has even been suggested that smaller animals with a fast metabolic rate tend to experience time more slowly than larger species with slower metabolic rates.

Image: Marcus Löfvenberg

Certain animals, like the African elephant, possess incredibly sensitive pressure receptors called Pacinian corpuscles in their feet, which allow them to detect minute seismic vibrations and communicate over long distances. This acute sense of touch, paired with their exceptional hearing, plays a crucial role in social bonding, navigation, and detecting potential threats in their environment.