The news that olive oil prices could reach £16 a litre will be devastating to many Guardian readers (Extra virgin olive oil prices tipped to top £16 a litre next month, 7 May). Many will find it almost unthinkable to live a life without extra virgin oil. I’m no economist, but I wonder if there is a time when the supply and demand curve tips and the price becomes so high that people refuse to pay. Standard supermarket oils are £9 a bottle up here. I am researching alternatives. Honey, maple syrup, tahini? Could there be life after olive oil?
Hilary Patrick
Glasgow
• Synthetic coffee only three years old (Pass notes, 6 May)? We sold dandelion coffee and other substitutes in our health food shop for 70 years. Ersatz (synthetic to you) coffee was sold during the second world war, as were coffee substitutes in the American civil war. The ones we sold were still horrible, but that’s my opinion.
David Gordon
Manchester
