21 November 2012
British kids go vinda-loopy!
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.
www.mucheese.com
www.facebook.com/mu.cheese.
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