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Parmesan cheese was a valuable commodity in 17th-century England, imported from Italy and highly prized for its flavor and rarity. During the Great Fire of London in 1666, diarist Samuel Pepys, fearing the destruction of his home and possessions, made the unusual decision to bury his prized Parmesan cheese for safekeeping, demonstrating the significance he placed on this culinary treasure amid the chaos of the devastating fire.