To make Cheese from Peas, the researchers grind the peas into flour, which they use to make a powdered cheese mix. This mix is about 90% yellow split peas and is mixed with water and cooked for a certain amount of time. The cheese is then shaped and left to ripen overnight. The researchers are excited about this product because it lets people eat legumes in the form of cheese, which is healthy and nutritious.
Right now, Cheese from Peas has about 4-5% protein, but the researchers are working on changing the recipe to increase the protein to 9-10%. This is still less protein than regular cheddar cheese, which has about 25% protein. However, most mass-produced vegan cheese only has about 0.2% protein. Some homemade and fancy vegan cheeses made from nuts can have around 10% protein, but they aren't good for people with nut allergies and can be expensive.
The researchers haven't said exactly how they made the cheese taste like cheese, because they have a patent that is being reviewed. But they did get rid of the "earthy" flavors that yellow split peas usually have, and manufacturers can add different flavors to make it taste more like cheese. The researchers also think that their cheese is better for the environment, because peas and other legumes have a smaller carbon footprint than milk and cheese.
The Good Pulse Company wants to sell the powdered cheese mix to cheese and vegan cheese makers so they can make different kinds of cheese with it. They are looking for a partnership with a dairy or vegan cheese maker in the UK. The researchers got funding from Innovate UK to keep developing their technologies.
Original news source: Could cheese made from peas be a healthy alternative for vegans? (BBC)
π Vocabulary:
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– News Summary
Instructions: In pairs, students will read the article and then summarize the main points in their own words. They will take turns sharing their summaries with the class.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Students will create a poll with questions related to the article, such as "Do you think vegan cheese made from peas is a good alternative to regular cheese?" They will then survey their classmates and tally the responses. They will share the results and discuss their opinions as a class.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Divide the class into teams. Give each team a list of vocabulary words from the article. One student from each team will come to the front of the class and draw a picture to represent one of the words. The team members must guess the word based on the drawing.
– Future Predictions
Instructions: In pairs, students will discuss and make predictions about the future of vegan cheese made from peas. They will use phrases like "I think," "I believe," and "I predict" to express their opinions. They will then share their predictions with the class.
– Keyword Hangman
Instructions: Write a keyword from the article on the board, leaving out some of the letters. In teams, students will take turns guessing letters to complete the word. Each correct guess gets them closer to solving the word, and each incorrect guess adds a body part to the hangman. The team that correctly guesses the word first wins.
π€ Comprehension Questions:
π§βοΈ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
Researchers at the University of Nottingham and a company called The Good Pulse Company have created a cheese made from yellow split peas. This cheese, called "Cheese from Peas," has more protein than regular vegan cheese, which is usually made from coconut oil and has less protein. The think that many rushed to make vegan products without thinking about the nutrition, but now they are focused on making healthier and more sustainable options. Yellow split peas are naturally high in protein, which makes them a ingredient for vegan . To make Cheese from Peas, the researchers the peas into flour, which they use to make a powdered cheese mix. This mix is about 90% yellow split peas and is mixed with water and cooked for a amount of time. The cheese is then shaped and left to ripen overnight. The researchers are excited about this product because it lets people eat legumes in the form of cheese, which is healthy and nutritious. Right now, Cheese from Peas has about 4-5% protein, but the researchers are working on changing the to increase the protein to 9-10%. This is still less protein than regular cheese, which has about 25% protein. However, most mass-produced vegan cheese only has about 0.2% protein. Some and fancy vegan cheeses made from nuts can have around 10% protein, but they aren't good for people with nut allergies and can be expensive. The researchers haven't said exactly how they made the cheese taste like cheese, because they have a patent that is being reviewed. But they did get rid of the "earthy" that split peas usually have, and manufacturers can add flavors to make it taste more like cheese. The researchers also think that their cheese is for the environment, because peas and other legumes have a smaller carbon than milk and cheese. The Good Pulse Company wants to sell the powdered cheese mix to cheese and vegan cheese makers so they can make different kinds of cheese with it. They are looking for a with a dairy or vegan cheese maker in the UK. The researchers got funding from Innovate UK to keep developing their technologies.
π¬ Discussion Questions:
1. What is vegan cheese and how is it different from regular cheese?
2. How would you feel if you found out that the vegan cheese you were eating had less protein than regular cheese?
3. Do you like eating vegan cheese? Why or why not?
4. Do you think it's important for vegan products to be nutritious? Why or why not?
5. What is a legume? Can you name any other legumes besides yellow split peas?
6. How would you feel if you had a nut allergy and couldn't eat vegan cheese made from nuts?
7. Do you think it's a good idea to make cheese from peas? Why or why not?
8. What do you think are the advantages of using yellow split peas to make vegan cheese?
9. How would you feel if you tried Cheese from Peas and it tasted just like regular cheese?
10. Do you think it's important for vegan cheese to taste like cheese? Why or why not?
11. What do you think about the idea of adding different flavors to the vegan cheese to make it taste more like cheese?
12. How would you feel if you found out that Cheese from Peas is better for the environment than regular cheese?
13. Do you think it's important for food products to have a smaller carbon footprint? Why or why not?
14. What do you think about the idea of selling the powdered cheese mix to cheese and vegan cheese makers?
15. How would you feel if you could buy Cheese from Peas in your local supermarket?
Individual Activities
ππ Vocabulary Meanings:
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Words
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π‘ Multiple Choice Questions:
π΅οΈ True or False Questions:
π Write a Summary:
Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
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