National Peppermint Patty Day is observed each year on February 11th.
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 (which 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 Pattie’s 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 on to candy store shelves.
In 1975 the company was acquired by Peter Paul Cadbury. The factory was moved to Reading, Pennsylvania, to much distress to the workers and residents of York. The popular treat was then distributed across the country.
HOW TO OBSERVE
A peppermint patty is a refreshingly cool mint and chocolate candy. Pick some up today or try one of these delicious recipes:
Peppermint Patties
Peppermint Patties Candy
Peppermint Patty Cake
Peppermint Patty Brownies
Peppermint Pattie Cookies
Peppermint Patty Fun Facts: A peppermint patty is a confection made with a rich, creamy peppermint filling covered in semisweet chocolate.
- The York Cone Company, which was based in Pennsylvania and originally produced ice cream cones, invented the York Peppermint Pattie in 1940.
- Many chocolate-covered peppermints had been made before the York Peppermint Pattie came on the market, but Kessler’s version was firm and crisp, while the competition was soft. A former employee and York resident Phil Kollin remembered the final (sample) test the pattie went through before it left the factory. “It was a snap test. If the candy didn’t break clean in the middle, it was a second.
- The York Peppermint Pattie was acquired by Hershey’s in 1998.
- Peppermint Patties were sold only in northeastern states until 1975.
- February 11th is National Peppermint Patty Day.
- Patricia “Peppermint Patty” Reichardt is a fictional character featured in Charles M. Schulz’s comic strip Peanuts. A tomboy, she is one of a small group in the strip who lives across town from Charlie Brown and his school friends.
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