While not a traditional ‘cake’ this post could be equally at home in the A nice cup of tea and… series, though I feel further testing is required before I put a seal on the best Kendal Mint Cake and perhaps had a chance to visit the various establishments in Kendal (there are currently three companies that produce mint cake).
Kendal Mint Cake is the best combination of sugar, water and peppermint oil to be found, and can only be bettered when the chocolate coated variety is at hand mouth. Due to its high energy content it makes for a very good emergency ration.
It was first discovered in 1869 by Joseph Wiper, who began producing it in his small Kendal factory. It is thought that the production was a mistake, and that he was trying to make clear “glacier” mints.
Apart from mine, there have been various notable uses of Kendal Mint Cake through the ages:
- Edmund Hillary took Romney’s Kendal Mint Cake with him on the first successful ascent of Mount Everest in 1953.
- Mint cake was taken on the Endurance Expedition of 1914-1917, which was famously led by Ernest Shackleton.
- In the ‘Amber Spyglass’ Phillip Pullman created angels of immense spiritual purity – who happen to like Kendal Mint Cake.
And, it was used and enjoyed by the members of the 1921, 1922, 1924, and 1933 Everest expeditions! I found a box of Kendall Mint Cakes from the 1933 expedition in the remains of the 1933 high camp at 27,800 feet on Everest during an expedition in 2001. Fun stuff!!