Type Confectionery Created by Joseph Wiper | Place of origin England Region or state Cumbria, United Kingdom | |
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Main ingredients Sugar, glucose, peppermint Similar Andes Chocolate Mints, Mint chocolate, Mint chocolate chip, Mint, Cookie Cake Pie | ||
Kendal mint cake
Kendal Mint Cake is a glucose-based confection flavoured with peppermint. It originates from Kendal in Cumbria, England. Kendal Mint Cake is popular among climbers and mountaineers, especially those from the United Kingdom, as a source of energy.
Contents
- Kendal mint cake
- British sweets taste test rolo bonds werthers kendal mint cake and more
- History
- Romneys
- Quiggins
- Wilsons
- Manufacturing process
- Notable uses
- References
British sweets taste test rolo bonds werthers kendal mint cake and more
History
Kendal Mint Cake is based on a traditional recipe known as mint cake, peppermint tablet and various other similar names. Kendal Mint Cake is well known to mountaineers and explorers for its high energy content. There are currently two companies that still produce Kendal mint cake in Kendal. The origin of the Mint cake is allegedly from a batch of Peppermint creams that went wrong. The mixture was left overnight and the solidified 'mint cake' was discovered in the morning.
Romney's
Romney's was founded in 1918 and used an old recipe to create Mint Cake. This Mint Cake was sold in Kendal and sent by train to other areas of the north west for sale. In 1987, Romney's bought Wiper's Mint Cake from Harry Wiper, who had inherited ownership of Wiper's in 1960 when his father died.
In 2016 Romney's collaborated with fashion site Lyst to create a limited run of "Kendall Mint Cakes" to celebrate Kendall Jenner's 21st Birthday on November 3. 200 limited edition cakes were given away on social media.
Quiggin's
Quiggin's Mint Cake is the oldest surviving mint cake company. The Quiggin family had been making confectionery since 1840 in the Isle of Man and when one of the four sons moved to Kendal in 1880, the mint cake company was formed.
In the BBC TV programme Great British Menu, series 5, Lisa Allen visited Quiggin's factory and used Quiggin's Kendal Mint Cakes in her Strawberries with Meringue & Kendal Mint Cake Water Ice dessert.
In the BBC TV programme Great British Railway Journeys (Series 7, Episode 2), Michael Portillo visited Quiggin's factory.
Wilson's
Wilson's Mint Cake was founded in 1913, when James Wilson purchased a factory in the Stricklandgate area of the town. He had previously made and distributed types of toffee, but he decided to concentrate on mint cake. In 1966, the firm moved to a location in the Cross Lane area of Kendal. Wilson's was licensed to sell a Beatrix Potter range of sweets. As of 2007 the factory was run by the grandson of James, Andrew Wilson, and Mint Cake was no longer the major product of the company as chocolate confectionery took up 90% of orders. After moving from Kendal to Holme in 2013 it was reported in 2016 that the company had closed down.
Manufacturing process
Kendal Mint Cake is made from sugar, glucose, water and peppermint oil. Although the exact recipe and way of manufacturing Mint Cake is kept secret, it is known that it is created in the following way:
- The sugar, glucose, water and peppermint oil are boiled in a copper pan.
- The mixture is continuously stirred (without stirring, the resultant product would be clear).
- The mixture is then poured into moulds and allowed to set, after which it is broken into individual bars.
There are numerous types of Mint Cake that are now available. Mint Cake made with white sugar, Mint Cake made with brown sugar, and Mint Cake enrobed in chocolate are the three most popular varieties.
Notable uses
Kendal Mint Cake has been used on many expeditions around the world as a source of energy;