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August 3rd • Food & Culture

Watermelon Day

A day to celebrate the world's most refreshing fruit. But beyond the summer snacks, there is a weird world of designer fruit, where square watermelons sell for hundreds of dollars and food trends go viral overnight. Today, we debate the ethics of luxury food, the psychology of our favourite flavours, and why humans are so obsessed with specific ingredients.

A perfectly sliced watermelon

Speaking Discussion

  • What is your go-to snack when you need to feel refreshed on a hot summer day?
  • In Japan, square watermelons can cost over $200. Would you ever pay a massive amount of money for a perfect piece of fruit?
  • Why do certain foods (like avocado or kale) become trendy while others stay boring?
  • Do you think food tastes better when it is beautifully presented, or is that just a psychological trick?
  • Is it ethical for supermarkets to throw away ugly fruit and vegetables that are still safe to eat?
  • If you had to eat only one type of fruit for the rest of your life, which one would it be and why?

Activity 1: The Designer Fruit Pitch

The Task: You are a Marketing Guru. You need to invent a luxury fruit (e.g., a heart-shaped apple or a purple pineapple) and pitch it to the class.

Explain why it is so expensive and who should buy it.

Activity 2: Rapid Fire Tastes

Complete the sentence and justify it in 20 seconds.

  • "The weirdest thing I ever ate was..."
  • "Healthy food usually tastes..."
  • "Social media makes food look..."