Romney’s White Kendal Mint Cake

Despite its name, this isn’t a cake at all. Kendal Mint Cake is a traditional English peppermint confection with a crisp, crystalline texture entirely its own—sweet, refreshing and gently minty without being overpowering.

Its wonderfully unlikely story begins in Kendal, England, in 1869, when a confectioner’s batch of clear mints is said to have accidentally turned cloudy and set firm. Romney’s began making its Kendal Mint Cake in 1918, and it soon became a favorite source of quick energy for walkers, climbers and explorers. On May 29, 1953, Romney’s Kendal Mint Cake was carried by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay on the first successful ascent of Mount Everest.

Why it caught our eye

We love a wonderfully peculiar product with a proper history—and this one happens to be delicious. The old-fashioned blue-and-white wrapper is terrific, the crystalline texture is unlike any ordinary mint or candy bar, and the clean peppermint flavor is surprisingly light. Break off a piece to enjoy after dinner, with a cup of tea or whenever your day calls for the smallest possible adventure.

Details

• Traditional white Kendal Mint Cake
• Made in Kendal, Cumbria, England
• Crisp, crystalline peppermint confection
• Net weight: 3 oz. / 85 g