The smell of coffee - 6 Minute English

Summary

In this episode of 6 Minute English, Neil and Catherine discuss the vital role the smell of coffee plays in our experience of drinking it. They delve into how the scent triggers physiological responses and why coffee chains using lids on takeaway cups block this crucial sensory experience. The conversation also touches on the world's largest coffee producers, with Vietnam coming in second after Brazil. Along the way, the hosts explore relevant vocabulary like 'vital,' 'baffles,' and 'weird' to help listeners understand the nuances of the coffee experience.

Takeaways

• 😀 Coffee is a widely loved beverage, with its smell being a key factor in its appeal.
• 😀 Coffee producers are ranked globally, with Brazil being the largest producer, and Vietnam as the second largest.
• 😀 The smell of coffee triggers physiological responses, like calming effects or anticipation of the taste.
• 😀 The coffee experience is influenced by the smell, which is often blocked by takeaway cups with lids.
• 😀 Coffee shop chains often serve coffee in cups that block the smell, which some find odd or baffling.
• 😀 The vocabulary explored in the program includes words like 'vital', 'key', 'physiological responses', 'baffles', and 'weird'.
• 😀 The word 'vital' means essential or very important, while 'key' also refers to something crucial.
• 😀 'Physiological responses' refer to bodily reactions to stimuli, such as the smell of coffee.
• 😀 'Baffles' means something confusing or hard to understand, and it can be described as 'weird' (strange or unusual).
• 😀 A 'chain' refers to a group of stores under the same company name, usually across different locations.
• 😀 The quiz question revealed that Vietnam is the second largest coffee producer after Brazil, not Colombia as initially guessed.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed in the script?

The main topic discussed in the script is coffee, particularly its smell and the experience of drinking it.

How much coffee does Catherine drink daily?

Catherine drinks six cups of coffee a day.

What does Tim Hayward say about the importance of the smell of coffee?

Tim Hayward says that the smell of coffee is absolutely vital and is the key thing that triggers a physiological response in the body.

What is the second largest coffee-producing country in the world, according to the script?

The second largest coffee-producing country in the world is Vietnam.

Why does Tim Hayward find it strange that coffee is served with lids?

Tim Hayward finds it strange because the lids block the smell of coffee, which is an essential part of the coffee experience.

What does the word 'baffles' mean in the context of the script?

In the context of the script, 'baffles' means to confuse or make something hard to understand.

What does the word 'key' mean as used in the script?

The word 'key' means essential or crucial, and it is used to describe how important the smell of coffee is to the overall experience.

What is meant by 'physiological response' in the script?

A 'physiological response' refers to a reaction that the body has to a stimulus, such as the smell of coffee causing your mouth to water or making you feel calmer.

What is the significance of the word 'chain' in the context of the script?

A 'chain' refers to a group of shops or stores owned by the same company, often found in multiple locations across different cities or countries.

Why does Catherine enjoy coffee so much, based on the conversation?

Catherine enjoys coffee because of its great smell, which she finds irresistible, even though the taste doesn't always match the smell.