Tag: food

How Cheese is Made

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Cheese is one of those foods that is universally adored. We love it on pizza, pasta, toast and others. We love it on just about anything!

In this video, check out these two different creameries,and how they manufacture their own handmade cheese.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How is cheese made? Would you like to try making some yourself?
  2. Do you like cheese? What are some of your favorite types and what do you normally eat it with?
  3. Talk about cheeses from your country. How are they different from others?

Are Food Preservatives Bad for You?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Food preservatives are substances added to food items in order to inhibit, retard or arrest the process of fermentation, acidification, and decomposition of food items’. Or, in other words, they are a type of  food additive  which prolong shelf life and keep products from being broken down by microorganisms

But the question is, how safe are they? Watch the video and be able to discuss the questions that follow:

 

Discuss:

  1. What are the benefits of using preservatives in food?
  2. What do you think about preservatives? Are they beneficial or harmful?
  3. Do you seek out preservative-free food?
  4. What are some ways of preserving food in your country?
  5. What are some of the most popular preserved food in your country?

Organic Food Craze

B1 – Intermediate

Organic food is the product of a farming system which avoids the use of man-made fertilizers, pesticides, growth regulators and livestock feed additives.

Many people believe organic produces offer much more health benefits. Some beg to differ.

Let’s find out more about the truth behind organic food.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1209/120904-organic_food.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What is your stand on the organic food craze?

2. Do you buy organic food? Why or why not?

3. Why do you think organic food is so much more expensive?

4. Do you think that organic food is much better than normal food or are they about the same?

Reasons To Go Vegetarian

B2 – Upper intermediate

The single most important thing an individual can do for their health, for the environment, and for the sake of the innocent animals is to adopt a vegetarian diet. Here are the Top 10 reasons to give vegetarian eating a try:

Click the link and be able to discuss the questions below:

http://www.alternet.org/story/85828/top_ten_reasons_to_go_vegetarian

Discussion Questions:

1. Are you or have you ever been a vegetarian? Why? Why not?
2. Do you have a family member or a close friend who is a vegetarian? How do you feel about it? Is it difficult to cook for them?
3. What are some reasons that people choose to be vegetarian?
4. Do you agree with the author’s reasons why we should go vegetarian?
5. Why vegetarianism has become more fashionable these days? Isn’t it just a fad?
6. Is it good to be a vegetarian for some periods of time for the sake of our health?
7. What’s your opinion on a strict vegetarian? Is it healthy?

The Impossible Burger

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A Silicon Valley start-up Impossible Foods make burgers entirely from plants. The burger is made from all natural ingredient and a special ingredient called heme. Heme makes the meat smell, sizzle, bleed, and taste gloriously meaty.

A butcher, a cardiologist, a vegan and a technology reporter put the burger to a test. Let’s find out what they think of it:

 

Discussion Questions:

1. How did the people in the video react?
2. What do you think of the Impossible Burger? What makes it special?
3. How much do you like burgers? Would you try this burger?

 

Trendy Names for Vegetables

B1 – Lower Intermediate

They are good for our bodies. They are rich in essential vitamins and nutrients but low in fat and calories. They are a good source of fiber. Vegetables or veggies are very healthy food. However, there are many people who don’t eat them.

Find out how we can make eating vegetables more interesting.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1706/170615-vegetables.html

Discussion Questions:
1. What do you think of this idea? Why do you think it’s effective?
2. What are the benefits of eating vegetables?
3. How can we get people/children to eat more vegetables?
4. Do labels affect your perception of a food?

Food Waste

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Food waste is food that is discarded or uneaten. Each year, we dispose of a third of the world’s food.

Listen to this podcast to learn more about food wastage and ways to stop it.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-170511

Let’s talk:

1. Where does the biggest percentage of food waste come from?

2. What usually happens to the food we waste?

3. What are the consequences of food waste?

4. What is Selina Juul doing to stop food waste in Denmark? What are other ways to avoid wasting food?

5. What do you tend to do with your leftovers?

6. How’s not finishing your food viewed in your country?

Grilled Whole Fish with Chiles and Coconut

C1 – Advanced

This video is meant to practice both your listening skills and your vocabulary. Feel free to watch the video more than once and take note of words or expressions that are new. Be ready to answer comprehension questions.

Discuss:

1. According to the video, why is it a good idea to use very hot coals when grilling fish? How long should it take the fish to cook (per side)?
2. How should the fish look like once it’s cooked or done?
3. What are the different sauces that Melissa Clark paired her fish with? Why did she choose these sauces?
4. Are you fond of grilling? Have you tried grilling fish?
5. Have you tried hosting a barbecue party during the summer?

 

World’s Cheapest Michelin-Starred Meal

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C1 – Advanced

Who doesn’t want to have meal rated by the Michelin guide? We all are interested as to why a certain dish was given a star or two, but keeping in mind that it just might break the bank. Interestingly enough, Singapore offers something else.

Read the article below to know more about a cheap yet very tasty serving of noodle.

Singapore offers the world’s cheapest Michelin-starred meal

Discuss:

1. Discuss the restaurant and food of Chan Hon Meng.
2. Have you experienced eating at a Michelin-starred restaurant? How was that experience?
3. What are some of the local food joints that you enjoy going to?
4. What new cuisines would you like to explore or try?

Chemicals in Fast Food Packaging

B2 – Upper Intermediate

“Health is wealth.” is a common English expression. But how can we maintain good health in the midst of  our busy lives? Apparently, we can. All we need to do is to be aware of what we are eating. Find out from this link about a new study of packaging in fast food restaurants.

http://edition.cnn.com/2017/02/01/health/fast-food-packaging-chemicals-pfas-study/index.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Summarize what was written in the article.
  2. What are the side effects of fluorine in our body?
  3. What is your reaction to this news?
  4. Take a look at the pictures and share your thoughts about them.
  5. What should we do to avoid exposure from fluorine in fast food restaurants?
  6. What are other food safety policies do you think should be implemented?