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British kids are getting braver from a younger age when it comes to hot food. A new survey has found that 57% of children are partial to a curry whilst 66% even enjoy the spicy dish from below the age of three.
Research conducted by family cheese brand MU, in conjunction with Mumsnet, has discovered that children have developed a taste for stronger and hotter foods, dispelling the myth that they prefer all things mild.
The Midlands and North East are unsurprisingly the biggest curry lovers, with 61% of children enjoying the spicy dish. Children in London and the South East have milder tastes with just 52% liking curry.
56% of children also love the taste of onions, a staple ingredient in curries and other popular family dishes. 62% of children in the South West are more partial to the taste of onion, whilst it is less popular in London at only 51%.
Scottish kids are the most adventurous with 75% eating curry from under the age of three. The South East are the least daring with only 60% trying curry from under three years old and 25% trying it between the ages of three and five. 4% of kids from the South East didn’t try curry until they were at least 10 years old.
27% of mums surveyed admitted cooking separate meals for their children; however 61% of mums will cook one meal for the whole family, suggesting children are more open to different flavours and tastes. This is good news for families hoping to embrace National Curry Week.
Children’s food expert and chef Beverley Glock says: “By encouraging children to try new flavours and spices from an early age, they will get used to eating the same food as adults. Parents can begin feeding their kids mild curries then increase the heat as they get older and begin to enjoy the flavours.
“Children’s tastes change as they grow and the trick is to introduce new foods and new levels of spice constantly and not get stuck in a rut giving children the same foods. If you give young children bland food, that’s what they will always expect, and as they get older they may be reluctant to try new flavours. If they dislike it the first time, parents should just show their children how much they’re enjoying it themselves. Children pick up their love of food from their parents, so if they show they like something, their children are likely to enjoy it too.”
Funky cheese brand MU has gone to great care to create the perfect cheese, suitable for the whole family. With blocks available in Mild, Medium, Mature and Mature Lighter, there is something to meet everyone’s taste at mealtimes.
MU has also come up with the perfect family snack – MU Sticks. Made from 100% cheddar, MU Sticks are the perfect strength for parents and kids alike. In a recent taste test carried out by 100 Mumsnetters, MU Sticks proved popular with the strength described as “just right”, “perfect, very nice flavour” and “ideal for lunchboxes”.
MU has also brought out MU Patz – round cheese slices made from 100% cheddar, ideal for kids to decorate pizzas with or for placing over hot pasta, jackets potatoes or in sandwiches.
