ES101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Coffee Roasting, National Coffee Association, The Fairtrade Foundation
Autumn Huang-Rilley
160519450
ES101-A
Origins and system inputs of the double-double
!
The diagram attached represents the steps that it takes to construct the Tim Horton’s
“double-double.” This diagram traces the ingredients back to their main sources. Many things are
taken into consideration when brainstorming such as labour, transportation, fossil fuels, and the
energy consumed to produce all ingredients in a “double-double.”
When creating this diagram, it is evident that the creation of the “double-double” is
dependent on the Earth’s natural resources. Many steps are taken in the making of this simple
beverage. It can be deconstructed into 4 different ingredients or parts. The coffee beans, cream,
sugar, water, and the cup.
The first ingredient, the coffee beans, can be traced back to coffee farms found in the
southern hemisphere. To grow these beans other resources are required such as natural sunlight,
soil and fertilizer, as well as labour. The second ingredient, cream, can be traced back to dairy
farms. These farms are home to dairy cows that are being farmed for their milk. In order to
produce milk, cows need to be fed and taken care of by workers. This includes feeding them
grains, seeds, or other types of foods depending on the farm. Most mass dairy farms have
machinery that milk the cows using electricity being another source of energy. The next
ingredient, sugar, is taken from its raw form, sugar cane. Sugar cane is grown on farms in warm,
tropical climates typically in the Caribbean run by workers, then transported to refinery mills.
Water used in the “double-double” is usually from a local water source, typically lakes or rivers,
that is run through a filtration system. In order to run these filtration systems, electricity and
labour is required. The cup made up of two parts, the actual paper cup and the plastic lid are
manufactured at a factory that specialize in that specific area. Paper, a recyclable material, comes
from different types of trees and recycled goods. Cream, sugar, and coffee beans are sent to mills
and factories where they are taken from their raw form and made into the ingredients needed.
They are then packaged and sent to their final destinations. All these ingredients are transported
through a very complex transportation system. Different kinds of transportation include airplane,
train, ship, truck, etc. These all require the burning of fossil fuels. The energy used to brew the
coffee must also be taken into consideration. One of the most important factors is electricity.
Electricity is needed in the creation of the ingredients as it is what runs the factories, mills,
farms, etc.
Consumers do not realise the complexity of the process of the simple beverage that they
may consume every morning before they go to work. Some ingredients that are found in the
“double-double” as well as other foods we consume everyday are imported from all over the
world. I personally have never thought in depth about the process of how my food gets to my
dinner table. This exercise helps you understand how complex the system really is and not just
for coffee, but for everything. One thing to really take out of this and think about is why are
these goods so inexpensive for all the travelling and labour that it takes in order to make it to our
local restaurants. A large standing issue is the lack of fair trade products. Although this problem
might not seem relevant, if we support companies who do not promote fair trade, we are simply
supporting the abuse and unfair treatment of workers all over the world. This is why it is
important to know where your food comes from.
Document Summary
The diagram attached represents the steps that it takes to construct the tim horton"s. When creating this diagram, it is evident that the creation of the double-double is. The first ingredient, the coffee beans, can be traced back to coffee farms found in the. Double-double. this diagram traces the ingredients back to their main sources. Many things are taken into consideration when brainstorming such as labour, transportation, fossil fuels, and the energy consumed to produce all ingredients in a double-double. dependent on the earth"s natural resources. Many steps are taken in the making of this simple beverage. It can be deconstructed into 4 different ingredients or parts. The coffee beans, cream, sugar, water, and the cup. southern hemisphere. To grow these beans other resources are required such as natural sunlight, soil and fertilizer, as well as labour. The second ingredient, cream, can be traced back to dairy farms.
