Italy has some interesting vending machines. You can buy cigarettes, beer, or even pocket coffee with the touch of a few buttons.
However, my favorite vending machine of all time might be the cheese vending machine I stumbled across in Parma, Italy. Where else in the world can you buy a pound (500g) of Parmigiano Reggiano out of a machine for €7?
There are not many 24-hour shops in Italy, but God forbid you be caught late at night without enough Parmigiano, stracchino or primosale in the house.
The area around Parma is the only part of Italy that produces Parmigiano Reggiano, so it does make sense that it is important enough to have its own vending machine.
There were a few processed snacks and drinks mixed in, but most of the space in the two machines was given over to local products like cheese, yogurt, and milk.
In a country where even the corner shops usually close around 9 or 10 pm at the absolute latest, I would love to have a few milk vending machines in Rome. Because there are fewer preservatives, fresh products tend to expire quickly so we buy things like milk in small quantities on a very regular basis.
On the price list, the machine even specifies that milk will last 5 days. (Yogurt for 15).
Parma has certainly has its priorities straight. We could all use more cheese vending machines in our lives, no?
Slovenia has gone one step better, and provides the milk fresh daily…
https://www.onedayinacity.com/milk-vending-machine-in-ljubljana-mlekomat/
So you have never been to the Cafe Serra just outside the Biennalle park in Venezia, he? Tiramisu that comes out of a machine, and even does an affogato tiramisu style!
https://meesoo.it/en/
I am a sucker for affogati so this was a must-try item. It lived up to its promise. The Cafe has a cute ambiance and an interesting menu if you are looking for a light lunch off the beaten path (beaten down by those hordes of tourists).
http://www.serradeigiardini.org/en/photogallery.php?gallery=COFFEE_SHOP
I am hoping this little company will spread across Italy!
Oh my god, is this for real? Italy constantly finds new ways to make us fall all the more in love with her. Sadly, when we visited Parma we didn’t see any of these vending machines, though.
I would be in Lactose Heaven if that was near me! This is so awesome!
YES! I wish it was closer to me! You never know when you might need more cheese