Troy Warren for CNT #Celebrations
NATIONAL PEPPERMINT PATTY DAY
National Peppermint Patty Day recognizes a treat enjoyed by millions around the world. On February 11th each year, sink your teeth into the minty chocolate sweet.
The oldest commercially-made mint patty or cake was made by the Quiggin’s family on the Isle of Man (an island located in the middle of the northern Irish Sea). They had been making the cakes since 1840, but in 1880, four of the sons formed the Kendal Mint Cake Company.
In the United States, as early as 1900, peppermint patties were made by regional confectioneries. Companies such as Idaho Candy Company, Trudeau Candie’s, and Pearson’s. Pearson’s purchased Trudeau in 1951, both were Minnesota companies. Possibly the most known, though not the oldest, York Peppermint Patties were made by the York Cone Company of Pennsylvania.
York Peppermint Patties were first made in 1940 and distributed regionally, much like other candy makers of the era. York dominated the market because of its firmness and crispness while the others were soft. A former York employee remembered that the final (sample) test of the patty before it left the factory was called a “snap test.” If the candy did not break clean in the middle, it did not make it onto candy store shelves.
In 1975 the company was acquired by Peter Paul Cadbury. Cadbury moved the factory to Reading, Pennsylvania, much to the distress of workers and residents of York. The company then distributed the popular treat across the country.
HOW TO OBSERVE #PeppermintPattyDay
- Try a Peppermint Patty recipe like one of these: Peppermint Patties, Peppermint Patty Cake, Peppermint Patty Brownies, and Peppermint Pattie Cookies.
- Create a festive treat from peppermint patties to perk up a friend or family member. A fresh bouquet of these minty treats would be a delightful surprise!
- Mix up a minty peppermint patty milkshake for a chilling change.
- Add a bit of peppermint kick to your mocha to celebrate the day! Whether you use a syrup, add a peppermint stick or order it from a local coffee shop, you won’t go wrong.
Be sure to use #PeppermintPattyDay to share on social media.
NATIONAL PEPPERMINT PATTY DAY HISTORY
We continue researching the origins of this minty food holiday. However sweet it is, we’ve not discovered who created the day.
Peppermint Patties FAQ
Q. Do Peppermint Patties always include chocolate?
A. Peppermint patties are a chocolate-coated candy with a creamy peppermint center.
Q. Do Peppermint Patties come in dark chocolate?
A. Yes.
Q. Is there a Peanut character named Peppermint Patty?
A. Yes, there is. Charles M. Schulz created the comic strip character named Peppermint Patty in 1966. Her full name is Patricia Reichardt.
