English Rewind - 6 Minute English: The story behind coffee ☕

Summary

In this episode of 6 Minute English, hosts Rob and Neil delve into the world of coffee, discussing its evolution from instant to a global lifestyle trend led by giants like Starbucks. They explore the complex coffee market, which is the second-largest commodity after oil, impacting farmers worldwide. The conversation highlights the vulnerability of growers to market fluctuations and the efforts of some organizations to ensure fair profit distribution. The episode also features insights from a food journalist and a small plantation owner in Costa Rica, emphasizing the importance of the entire coffee production process, from field to cup.

Takeaways

• 📢 The script is from a BBC Learning English podcast called '6 Minute English', first aired in April 2015.
• 🚀 The topic of discussion is coffee, the world's most popular drink, and its evolution from instant coffee to a lifestyle trend.
• 🌎 Coffee is the second biggest commodity globally, with its price fluctuating constantly due to market speculation.
• 💰 The coffee market's volatility significantly impacts farmers in countries like Ethiopia, Costa Rica, and Brazil, making them vulnerable to market changes.
• 🌾 Food journalist Sheila Dillon emphasizes the profound effect of coffee market dynamics on local growers and entire national economies.
• 🏠 The term 'provide for' refers to farmers having sufficient income to support their families comfortably.
• 📊 The quiz question in the podcast asks about the annual global consumption of coffee cups, with the correct answer being 400 billion.
• 📈 Despite high coffee prices, not everyone in the industry benefits due to the varying distribution of profits.
• 🌱 Some organizations are attempting to distribute profits more equitably by managing the entire coffee production process from field to shop.
• 🌿 These organizations often farm organically and create jobs within the local community, making them less susceptible to market fluctuations.
• 📦 Leo Virmani, a small plantation owner in Costa Rica, discusses the importance of controlling the entire coffee production process, from growing to packaging, to ensure profitability.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the 6 Minute English programme discussed in the script?

The main topic of the 6 Minute English programme is coffee, its market, and the impact of coffee markets on local growers.

What is the significance of coffee as a commodity in the world market?

Coffee is the second biggest commodity in the world after oil, which means the price of coffee is subject to constant changes due to speculation in commodity markets.

How does the coffee market affect farmers in countries like Ethiopia, Costa Rica, and Brazil?

Farmers in these countries are extremely vulnerable to the deals made in commodity markets far from their farms, which can impact their livelihoods and the stability of their communities.

What does the expression 'makes waves' used by Sheila Dillon mean in the context of the coffee market?

The expression 'makes waves' means to have a significant or far-reaching effect, indicating that changes in the coffee market can greatly impact economies and communities around the globe.

What is the quiz question posed by the hosts of the programme, and what was Neil's guess?

The quiz question is about the number of cups of coffee drunk worldwide each year, with options being 38 billion, 400 billion, or 950 billion. Neil guessed 38 billion.

What is the correct answer to the quiz question about the number of cups of coffee consumed worldwide annually?

The correct answer is 400 billion cups of coffee consumed worldwide each year.

Why might a high coffee price not necessarily benefit everyone involved in the business?

A high coffee price does not guarantee benefits for everyone because it depends on how the profits are distributed among the various parties involved in the coffee supply chain.

What is the term used to describe farming that employs a lot of people and creates jobs within the local community?

The term used to describe such farming is 'labour intensive'.

How do small-scale projects that take charge of the whole process from field to shop help local growers?

These projects help local growers by providing them with more control over the supply chain, allowing them to be profitable despite market fluctuations and creating jobs within the local community.

What verb does Leo Virmani use to describe the action of putting coffee in a box before selling it?

Leo Virmani uses the verb 'package' to describe this action.

What does the term 'profitable' mean in the context of the small plantations mentioned in the script?

In this context, 'profitable' means that the small plantations can maintain profits or make money, ensuring the sustainability of their operations.