Real-Life Communication
Verbal communication skills are an important part of a miller's
job. "I speak fluent German, some French and some Arabic -- all learned specifically
for and in order to do business in the milling industry," says flour miller
David Ritchie. He spent five years in an apprenticeship program in Europe
and worked in 22 countries as a miller or milling engineer.
Regardless
of whether you're speaking to millers in other countries or millers in your
own hometown, communication will be much easier if you learn everything you
can about the milling industry. For example, millers know their flour. Do
you?
The three parts of wheat kernels are milled, separated and recombined
to produce different types of flour. The amount of protein and gluten content
determines how a type of flour performs. This makes each type suitable for
making different products. Here are just some of the types of flour available:
- All-purpose flour -- used to make many different products, from cakes
to noodles
- Self-rising flour -- salt and leavening is added
- Semolina -- used to make different types of pasta, such as spaghetti,
lasagna and vermicelli
- Durum -- also used to make noodles
- Whole wheat -- has more fiber than white flour
- Cake flour -- a light flour
You are invited to speak to a class of junior high students about
your job as a flour miller. On the board, you list the names of the flour
your mill produces. One student remarks that flour all looks the same to him,
and he asks why we need so many different types.
How would you explain
the need for various types of flour to this student? Write down what your
response would be. Use at least 150 words.