What's the best way to introduce kids to spicy foods?

Answer 1

You put a plate of hot chili peppers on a table, then call your six-year old twins, take them over to the table and say "This is a plate of hot chili peppers" as you point to it, then say "And peppers, let me introduce you to my children. They're both six years old and very interested in tasting you"

Answer 2

Some kids have a natural taste for spicy foods. Some may never like it. The most important thing is not to force it. My niece has been chowing down on spicy things, that even I can't tolerate, ever since she was around 3 or 4. My sister developed a taste for hot sauce somewhere between 6 and 10.

Take some tortilla chips and fresh Pico de Gallo salsa. Dip the chip in *JUST* the juice to get a bit on it. The juice will be a BIT spicy, but shouldn't be too bad as long as there are no jalapenos or onions left on the chip. Let them taste that. Give them ordinary foods mild chili (which is probably spicy to a kid); pepperoni; foods w/garlic & onions...slowly integrate these into the child's diet to gradually acclimate to spicier flavors. Over time, add a bit more spice to the chili or try some ethnic foods, especially Indian.

There's no science. The kids will either have a palate for it or not. Happy eating!

Answer 3

Make some very mildly spicy snacks - like curry puffs, or chilli calzones and eat them in front of the child, during the day or for lunch. Curiosity and gluttony usually gets the better of them and they will try a little bite. Even if they spit and find it disgusting the first time around, praise them for trying it and I bet you they'll be back another time to try again. Keep on with the praise and before you know it, you'll be able to introduce mildy spicy foods at times like lunch, when its not too critical they eat what is before them. We issued my son with a "Chilli Challenge" to start of mild and see how far he can get. He's now 8 and capable of eating a curry that makes your nose run! Provided he has a drink of fruit squash close by with which to put out the fire from time to time, he copes very well indeed and really enjoys it.

Answer 4

Besides the obvious savoury, spicy or hot dishes like curry, etc. there is an alternative.

Get a melon, not watermelon a green or orange one and sprinkle some dry ginger powder over it.

The ginger gives it a warm, spicy flavour that even kids can appreciate. A subtle introduction to spiciness.

Answer 5

Start by introducing spice into things they already like, and make spicy things seem "adult."
Eat some pepperocinis with pizza, serve some cheese dip and salsa that gets progressivly hotter, and shake some cajun seasoning onto their french fries and stuff instead of salt.

Remember though, once burnt, twice shy, especially with kids. If something is too hot, get it out of them quick and give them a slice of soft white bread (not water!) to help them out. Buttered bread works better, but speed is key because the more pain they remember the less they will want to try it next time.

Answer 6

well only a true asian person can answer this one. that'll be me!
in our family we start to give a little spicy food to our babies from around 8 months. (sounds bad but it's not). initially we will take for instance some vegetables from a veg curry and lightly rinse with water, mash and give with some chapatti, this can of course be done with lamb or chicken too. when making samosa or pakora we make a batch that has less chillies in and the kids just love em... as they get older they gradually get used to spicier food.

Answer 7

My children now enjoy spicy foods due to the fact that I introduced them gradually starting off with mild curries and chillies .

Answer 8

When the kids got older and saw us eating something different, they would ask for a taste. I would give them a little bite and have a glass of liquid close. If they liked it, I would share my dinner, if not, they might like it when they get a little older. You can always try different dishes - they might have different spices. Mine all LOVE spicy foods now -- Hot chilis, etc. Many of the grandkids like it too.

Answer 9

hie , i am from india and here the best way to introduce the spicy foods to kids by giving a parantha which is made of wheat flour and a dough is made out of it and then stay it for ten min. and make it round thin and then it is roasted on tava and while making it we add some amount of red chillie powder and salt to taste and give the kid while he or she is just starting a supplimentary food to the diet.

Answer 10

i am not a keen spicy food fan as i didn't try it when i was a child. i believe that children should try lots off different foods to help there taste buds grow and work to the full.so when i had my children which are now 2 and 4 i thought i would let them try some samples of different home made health but different foods.
my children love to help me cook and they will try anything if they helped to make it. i started using different spices 6 months ago and the kids love it especially our homemade spicy bean burgers so anyone out there who wants to get there kids to eat different things let them help make it maybe messy but its fun to them and kids like to eat what they make!!!!!!

Answer 11

I started my 2 girls on pepperoni pizza then went from there, mild Curry's and chilli ect now they love spicy food. Ideal for when wife goes out and we have a dad and daughters night in.