A History of the World in 6 Glasses

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

What beverages are most widely consumed in the world? What is the role of culture in defining attitudes toward beverages? How might these perspectives vary among different cultures?

Teaching Suggestion: In A History of the World in 6 Glasses, Standage explores the ways in which beer, wine, spirits, coffee, tea, and Coca-Cola have played a significant role in shaping the world. Consider asking students to speculate as to the correct answers for the questions, then read the articles to discuss the consumption of beverages around the world and the cultural impact on beverage consumption.  

• This article from news-medical.net examines global patterns of beverage consumption and delves into how cultural factors shape drink choices.
• This article from USDA explores the consumption of beverages in the United States.
• This article from Food & Beverage Insider describes the cultural shift of beverage consumption within the United States to include healthy choices.

Short Activity

Consider the significance of beverages in your own culture. How might drinks such as coffee, tea, alcohol, and soda have an impact on society? Consider these points as you formulate a response:

• What are the social norms surrounding various beverages in society?
• Which drinks have religious significance and why?
• In what way might the affordability of beverages influence the consumption of a product?
• How do the health implications of beverages impact what individuals might drink?
• How do wealthy individuals, influencers, or socialites play a role in the consumption of a product?

Teaching Suggestion: Standage explores the social, economic, and health implications of the beverages consumed throughout history. Consider asking students to discuss the present-day impacts of these beverages and the influences they may have on the culture. It may be beneficial for students to record their thoughts about the beverages to draw comparisons to the text.  

Personal Connection Prompt

This prompt can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before reading the text.

Consider popular consumer products in your culture. What likely gave rise to the popularity of these products? What factors influence what consumers buy?

Teaching Suggestion: Standage traces the rise in popularity of many products to the cultural influence of the affluent in society. Ashurnasirpal II of Assyria, for example, was partially responsible for the increased popularity of wine consumption in Mesopotamia. Students may find it beneficial to explore the ways cultural influences inspire the consumption of a given product.

Differentiation Suggestion: Students who require an additional challenge can research the impact of influencers, social media, and affluent members of society on consumers. Consider asking the students to create an infographic to display their findings.