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Age and taste

If a person can't tell the difference between the $5 for 100

> grams tea and the $30 for 100 grams tea, don't worry about it. > Taste buds vary, and older people who are new to tea are not > going to develop late in life the palatte to distinguish among > grades that someone much younger can. Older folks are more > likely to like the unsubtle teas because the taste buds and > sense of smell aren't what they used to be (I like really > obvious oolongs at 56).

This sharper flavor perception in youth has always been a source of puzzlement. If the very young have such sensitive palates, why do they crave things that taste the most overwhelming? Nacho cheese Doritos, Mt. Dew, Captain Crunch, Snickers -- all staples for Americans well into adulthood. If young tongues are indeed more sensitive than those of their elders, then consuming these should be the flavor equivalent of a spotlight in owl's eyes.

--crymad

Reply to
crymad
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This is because a discerning palate is a learned behavior, not an inborn trait. Children in the U.S. typically eat either very bland or very overwhelming foods because that's what they're given.

My toddler, on the other hand, likes complex foods with lots of flavors and nuance. Why? Because we've been feeding those to him since he started stealing food from our plates. Oh, sure. He likes "chicken nuggs", but he also likes pasta alfredo.

I'd guess that, much like languages, the ability to learn how to use the tongue is enhanced in youth but not necessarily absent with age.

Reply to
Derek

On that thread I wonder how much of the "distinction" in the palatte is simply being "mature" enough (thoughtful enough, whatever) to pay attention to the nuances of what one is tasting. It takes time and some age to start to pay attention to those sorts of distinctions I think (age as in older than 15 or so, maybe) or at least being taught to pay attention to the tastes.

Reply to
Melinda

Hah! Great minds think alike, eh?

Reply to
Derek

Sugar addiction.

I think just having the tastebuds there isn't going to be educational in and of itself, just as having a 20 year old body isn't going to guarantee that as cyclists, the young boy isn't going to be beaten by the trained 40 year old woman. It's just that someone who uses good teas regularly who's young has advantages that those of us who aren't won't have. The thing is to enjoy what one enjoys without worrying about being absolutely discriminating. Also, price can reflect scarcity, not refinement.

(Tried the other green that I didn't quite like again -- I'll probably get through it, just that it was suffering in comparison with a couple of good Long Jings).

Reply to
Rebecca Ore

I think that is a very important point.

It is easy to confuse price with quality. It can reflect, as you mentioned, scarcity. It also can reflect nothing at all.

I'm sure we've all run into overpriced items that just weren't worth it. Designer jeans come to mind.

Reply to
Derek

Even worse, as you probably know, price can reflect *ignorance* about supply.

/Lew

Reply to
Lewis Perin

Lewis snipped-for-privacy@panix1.panix.com1/30/05 12: snipped-for-privacy@panix.com

An ignorance carefully cultivated and purposefully perpretrated upon us.

Michael

Reply to
Michael Plant

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