Bringing up a new generation of tea drinkers

In a fun little serendipity moment, I discovered that my little group of fifth grade Sunday school girls have "tasted" hot tea and like it ... I think a classroom tea party would be in order soon!

What varieties would you recommend for a batch of 10-year-olds?

(I've been trying to hook my teenage son for the longest time ... he's willing to experiment, but so far all he says is, "It smells good ... but where's the flavor??" Too many overly-strong energy drinks, I guess!)

My sister and I were introduced to tea at an early age with jasmine green tea, which we liked very much; but if you're giving a tea-party, probably a black tea like Keemun would work well.

Get hold of a variety?
Somethign smokey like Caravan, citrusy like early grey, a plain green, a fruit infusion, and something malty like assam, and maybe somethign lighter like darjeeling

Gte them to try with and without milk.

Maybe make scones and cucmber sandwiches too.

My mother started me off with Lipton (I know, I know, to many that is sacrelige!), her thinking being that it was closest in taste to many iced teas that I had tasted. After getting me into hot tea with the Lipton, she moved me on to finer black teas, like Twinings English Breakfast. Although I was only three when I was allowed my first taste; the move to flavors such as English Breakfast came when I was about 9 or 10. So you might consider just starting there.

Considering how many adults don't cotton to the smoky teas, I'd say that's not a good place to start with kids; don't want to scare them off!
Smoky teas are an acquired taste!

But scones and cucumber sandwiches is a wizard idea!

Cheers

hehe...my mum started us all off young - sipping off her cups of black tea with milk/sugar ...now she has my niece doing the same (has been sucking down the tea since she could drink from a cup (2-3 yrs old)

as for what to serve the kids I would also try some variety - remember though kids taste buds are different then adults.

How about Constant Comment? I think I would have loved that as a child.

Do warn them about milk OR lemon. Not both. Learned that the hard way.

I certainly started with an ordinary black tea with milk and sugar as a wee child.
And I still love it...just stronger.

Those fruity teas are fun, too (blueberry, mango), and a healthier alternative to sodas and certain juices.

Thanks for the ideas...can't wait to start taste-testing.

Now if I can just do something about the teenager and get the Mountain Dew out from under my roof!

I remember that my mother threw me a tea party birthday for my 6th birthday. We had black tea (can't quite remember exactly what kind) with lots of milk, and chocolate milk for those who didn't quite want to try tea. We also had all sort of sandwiches and cookies and such. And at the end of the party, each girl got to take home her mini tea set home as a party favor. It was a ton of fun (I still remember it vividly, 15 years later).

The first tea I remember making/having was either Earl Grey or Red Rose (I think it's basically like a lipton). We usually had both and I liked them both when I was little.

but then again, I could have cared less about the taste...I loved making it and playing with the tea bag! Now I know better and like trying new flavors and I won't just drink anything these days!

gmathis - don't despair. I never could understand why my Mom drank tea. It was just warm brown water to me. Come to think of it, she still brews a pretty weak cup of tea, so maybe it was just her ;-) In any case, about the end of college I started drinking tea, and really like it. In my house at any time you'll find Earl Grey, Russian Caravan, some variety of Oolong, Yerba Mate, and at least one other tea. Tastes change.

As for what to do for the girls, having never been one I can't speak for their tastes ;-) But Earl Grey, Constant Comment/Bengal Spice or the like (especially this time of year), Keemun with milk... Something where the flavor isn't too subtle/delicate, and at the same time something that isn't too strong or bitter.

Best of luck corrupting the youth!

Grizzly, thanks for the chuckle! My son says "hot leaf juice" instead of "warm brown water" but I'm sure the sentiment is the same!

http://www.tea.co.uk/news-article/Childrens-tea

This is an article from the last email sent out by the UK Tea Council. I found it interesting and inspiring. Unfortunately, all my nieces and nephews live on the other side of the world so I can't influence them towards tea.

What a great, article, tiegster! Thanks for sharing this. My daughter, who is ten, loves Chamomille tea with agave added instead of sugar. She also enjoys jasmin tea. My niece likes Passion Tea by Tazzo. This one is fruity and flavorful.

I'm pretty sure it was Lipton My Grandmother gave me as a child. Unfortunately I am afraid the tea addiction is going to die with me. My kids don't like it, even Iced tea puts them off. I am enjoying trying different teas now as Grandma was a creature of habit

I served my son Oregon's Chai Tea Latte, Vanilla flavored and they loved it. I didn't tell them it was tea with milk until after they tried it. That was almost ten years ago and they now enjoy trying different flavored teas. The oldest likes black teas and the youngest likes floral flavored teas. Now if we can just get their wives to try some.