The marionberry is a cross between the Olallie and Chehalem blackberries exclusively bred at Oregon State University in partnership with the USDA. Since the berry's production started in 1945, the marionberry has become so popular that legislation to make the berry the official state berry is currently in the works. The berry is known for its slight tartness and earthy, yet sweet flavor and since the marionberry doesn't ship well it has become the centerpiece for many Oregon-based delicacies including muffins, ice cream, and jams. But none of those treats can top the marionberry pie.
The easy to grow fruit has become a focal point for pie shops like the Williamette Valley Pie Company in Salem, Oregon who processes approximately twelve million pounds of the berry per year and lets visitors pick their very own marionberry during the summer months of the year. Your average blackberry pie has nothing on Oregon's prized marionberry pie.
To insure one’s house, one’s car or to underwrite a life insurance policy, that is common practice. But who would pay an insurance premium for his/her thumb, legs or smile? Stars, of course.
At the top of the ranking are the legs of Mariah Carey, worth 810 million USD: The diva became, in 2006, the Gillette brand muse for the advertising campaign «Legs of a Goddess». She then took out an insurance policy with London Lloyds to protect her legs, a decision that is far from being insignificant. Among its customers, the London insurer then included several icons of music, such as Bob Dylan or Rod Stewart.
David Beckham’s body insured for 195 million USD: European champion with Manchester United in 1999, David Beckham was in 2006 the most renowned footballer of the planet. In relation to his sporting activities, he took out an insurance cover for his legs. The huge amount paid for his insurance would reportedly exceed the 103 million USD disbursed by Real Madrid for the cover of Christiano Ronaldo in 2009. The fashion model would later extend his insurance cover to his entire body.
15 million USD in insurance for Kim Kardashian’s curves: The curves of Kim Kardashian are her number one beauty asset. The reality TV star, who is crazy about plastic surgery, has underwritten an insurance policy worth 15 million USD to protect her famous butt.
The culinary critic Egon Ronay assured his taste buds: The famous Hungarian culinary critic has insured his taste buds since 1957, for the amount of 400 000 USD. An original insurance policy which allows him to cover his sense of taste without which he will no longer be able to practice his job.