The Pickle Renaissance
Each week, I will send out some handy tips and useful exercises for adults learning to navigate and use the English language. Please feel free to share this newsletter with friends and colleagues.
From snacks to beverages, pickle flavor has infiltrated every aisle of the American grocery store. The fusion of sweet and sour has led to creations like pickle-flavored cupcakes and ice creams. Brands are experimenting with these combinations to cater to adventurous palates seeking unique taste experiences. Beyond taste, pickles are being recognized for their health benefits. Fermented pickles, rich in probiotics, are gaining popularity among health-conscious consumers seeking gut-friendly options.
The enthusiasm isn’t limited to products; it’s celebrated in events like Picklesburgh, an annual festival in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, dedicated to all things pickled. The event features pickle-flavored foods, drinks, and even a pickle juice drinking competition, drawing crowds of over 200,000 attendees.
In essence, the pickle renaissance is more than a fleeting trend—it’s a flavorful movement blending nostalgia, innovation, and a zest for the unexpected. Whether you’re a pickle purist or a curious foodie, there’s never been a better time to relish in the briny goodness! 🥒
Vocabulary
Language Level – B2
We continue to add to our vocabulary words from the Oxford 3000.
A list of 3000 words someone should know if they are taking the CEFR (Common European Framework Reference) language tests.
- Parliament (n)
- Participant (n)
- Partly (adv)
- Passage (n)
- Patient (adj)
- Pension (n)
- Permanent (adj)
- Permit (n, v)
- Perspective (n)
- Phase (n)
Study this set of vocabulary words with this quizlet.
Grammar Tip
Language Level – B1
Present Simple vs. Present Continous
The present simple tense is used for habits, routines, general truths, and facts.
- Example: “She eats pickles every day.”
The present continuous tense is used for actions happening right now or temporary situations.
- Example: “She is eating a pickle right now.”
Practice Sentences:
Choose the correct verb form (present simple or present continuous) to complete each sentence:
- My brother ____ (love) pickles. He eats them every day.
- Look! The chef ____ (prepare) pickle-flavored ice cream right now.
- Usually, supermarkets ____ (sell) pickles in jars.
- Today, this store ____ (give) out free pickle samples!
- Americans ____ (enjoy) pickles as snacks frequently.
- Listen! Someone ____ (open) a pickle jar.
- Normally, Jessica ____ (not like) sour food, but she ____ (eat) a pickle sandwich right now!
- Every summer, the city ____ (hold) a pickle festival.
Listening and Reading Tip
Language Level – B2
Travel to Picklesburgh with this fun video. Turn on the CC to practice reading while listening to English
Weekly Challenge
Language Level – C1
At C1 level, learners practice using advanced verb forms and modal verbs to express nuanced meanings such as probability, ability, obligation, and hypothetical situations.
- Example: “She might have tasted pickle-flavored ice cream if she’d visited the festival.”
- Example: “Pickles must be stored in airtight containers to retain freshness.”
Practice Sentences:
Fill in the blanks using an appropriate verb form or modal verb:
- The new pickle brand ____ (likely/become) popular due to its unique taste.
- Had they arrived earlier, they ____ (try) the limited-edition pickle soda.
- The chef ____ (experiment) with pickle-infused desserts lately.
- To keep pickles crisp, you ____ (store) them in a cold environment.
- By next year, the company ____ (launch) several innovative pickle products.
- It ____ (speculate) that pickle festivals significantly boost local economies.
- She ____ (never/anticipate) pickles becoming a trendy flavor for cocktails.
- You ____ (should not/underestimate) how popular pickle-flavored snacks can be among millennials.
How can I help?
Click the button below to contact me for questions and 1:1 coaching rates
