Tag: food

Farmers Spray E.U. Building With Milk Powder

B2 – Upper intermediate

When the government is helping the big corporations win, the smaller guys continue to struggle. Watch the video below about a protest that some farmers made against the European Union’s decision regarding milk production and selling.

Discuss:

1. Explain why the farmers decided to spray an EU building with milk powder.
2. How’s the agriculture business/industry in your country?
3. Do you think the European Union’s action to “stabilize the market” was a good one?
4. What are some agricultural products that you import from other countries?
5. What’s an ideal way to help local farmers survive in today’s world?

How to Drink Baijiu

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Have you heard of baijiu? If you’re into spirits and drinking then this is one liqueur that you might want to try.

Read the article about a Chinese drink heartily consumed by the locals.

Take a look at the pictures as well and be ready to answer comprehension questions.

http://edition.cnn.com/2017/01/29/foodanddrink/how-to-drink-baijiu-china/index.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is baijiu and how is it made? What is it made of?
  2. On which occasions is baijiu the choice of drink?
  3. What is baijiu tourism? What do you think of it?
  4. Is there a similar tour like this in your city/country? Talk about it.
  5. What are some of the local alcohol or spirits that are commonly and popularly consumed in your country?
  6. What are your preferences when it comes to alcohol?

The First Starbucks in Italy

B1 – Intermediate

Starbucks is one of the most popular American coffee shop chains known around the world. Presently, it has more than 20,000 stores in 67 countries. Starbucks has achieved worldwide recognition and success. Can it also be successful in Italy, a country that is known to have long cultural ties with coffee?

Let’s find out more about it.

http://www.english-online.at/news-articles/business-economy/starbucks-to-open-first-store-in-italy.htm#

Discussion Questions:

1. According to the article, when will Starbucks open its first store in Italy?
2. Have you tried Italian espresso? How about Starbucks coffee?
3. Why do Italians have mixed reactions/feelings about the opening of Starbucks in their country?
4. What was the article pertaining to when it mentioned  the “watery undrinkable” coffee?
5. Can Starbucks succeed in Italy?
6. Are there Starbucks stores in your country? What’s the most popular coffee shop chain in your country/Europe?

How Food Trucks Took Over City Streets

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C1 – Advanced

Food trucks. Their evolution has been a good one. Sprouting up like mushroom, people seem to enjoy every bit of it.

Read the article below and be ready to increase your vocabulary by going through the different terms and expressions. Feel free to read the article section per section with your teacher.

How Food Trucks Took Over City Streets

Discuss:

1. Describe the change of food trucks since it began.
2. Why are food trucks so appealing to the young? The culinary graduates?
3. Explain why having a food truck business is not as easy as some think. What are the challenges business owners face?
4. On the other hand, what are the advantages of having a food truck as a business?
5. Are food trucks a trend in your city as well? What is your general opinion of them?

Buckwheat Berry Stripe Cake | Melissa Clark Recipes

C1 – Advanced

This video is meant to practice your listening comprehension. Watch and listen carefully and be ready to answer comprehension questions. You’ll also be able to practice your speaking skills by describing processes.

Discuss:

1. Why does the cook like using buckwheat?
2. Why does the cook prefer using a shallow pan over a deeper one for her cake?
3. According to the video, what does it mean when a cake is a “damp cake”?
4. What did Melissa mean when she used the expressions “…go to town.” and “It’s your canvass.”?
5. Do you enjoy cakes and pastries? What are some of your favourites?
6. Describe a dessert dish that you enjoy making.

Eating Junk Food Is Not Good

B2 – Upper intermediate

Junk food isn’t actually made of garbage. People use the term junk food to describe a food that has few of the nutrients your body needs, and a lot of fat, sugar and salt, which your body can easily get too much of.Potato chips, candy, and soft drinks are often considered junk food. If you like these snack foods, the trick is to eat them in small portions so that you still get the nutrients you need each day.

Reasons Eating Junk Food Is Not Good

Discuss: 

1. What springs to mind when you hear the term junk food?

2. How often do you eat junk food?

3. Do lots of people eat junk food in your country?

4. What is it about junk food that is so bad for us?

5. Are parents who feed junk food to their children irresponsible?

Video: ‘Cute’ Cuisine is a Bitesize Art

B2 – Upper intermediate

It’s no secret that cooking has evolved over the years. We’ve experienced fine dining cuisine where a small quantity of food is artistically placed on the plate. Then we had molecular gastronomy where science meets art and gives birth to an innovative way of having a meal.

Now, a new trend called miniature food has gone viral on Youtube and viewers just can’t get enough of it. Watch the video below then express your thoughts.

‘Cute’ cuisine is a bitesize art

Discuss:

1. What were your thoughts when you were watching the video?
2. How did the trend of miniature food and cooking happen? Explain what “Kawaii” is.
3. What are some Japanese art that you find interesting?
4. Describe some of the good and fancy restaurants that you’ve been to in the past.

International Day of the Nacho

Young women and man eating nachos with melted cheese

B2 – Upper intermediate

Almost everything we know and use has a history behind it. This includes food. The history surrounding a certain dish is often very interesting. And nachos are no exception.

Read the article to know more how this Mexican dish came about. Take note of new words and expressions.

The International Day of the Nacho Would Not Be Possible Without This Man

Discuss:

1. In your own words, re-tell the history of nachos. How did it get its name?
2. Are you fond of nachos and other Mexican dishes?
3. Would you say that there are local Spanish dishes with an interesting history behind it?
4. What are some non-European cuisines that you enjoy eating?

These Cuisines Could Help You Live Longer

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C1 – Advanced

Good food does wonders. The past decade has been all about healthy and organic ingredients to combat diseases naturally and to live a fuller life.

The article below shows cuisines that can help you reach past your prime. Read the article, watch the video and view the photos that showcase delectable dishes.

These cuisines could help you live longer

Discuss:

1. What did the article say about processed and unprocessed food?
2. What are some of the healthy ingredients that the featured countries use in their daily food intake?
3. Which of the cuisines featured have you tried?
4. Would you say that you have a healthy diet?

Video: Secret to Homemade Donuts

B2 – Upper intermediate

This video is very good practice for your listening skills, for increasing your food vocabulary and describing processes.

Watch the video below then be ready to answer some comprehension questions. Take note of new vocabulary terms that you would like to discuss.

Secret to Homemade Donuts

Discuss:

1. In your own words re-tell the process of how to prepare and make donuts.
2. Why do a lot of people like to eat donuts?
3. How do you feel about donuts? Do you enjoy them or do you try to stay away from them?
4. What are some food recipes that you have tried in the past?