With such a rich history, its hard to believe so few actually know how it's made! So we thought we'd shed a bit of light...
Firstly, Kendal Mint Cake has been manufactured for 100's of years by multiple different families and businesses but it's roots can actually be traced back to the Isle of man "Mint Patty". The oldest commercially-made mint patty 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 - D. Quiggin & Son Ltd.
There's even a "National Peppermint Patty Day" each year on February 11th!
Kendal Mint Co. work in close partnership with Quiggins to produce the KMC NRG BAR. Since they've been in the business for over 130 years, we thought they'd know a thing or two about making good Mint Cake, this is how they do things...
Step 1: Boiling The Mixture
First of all, the key ingredients are weighed out, Sugar, Water and Glucose Syrup, then added to a copper vat.
The mixture is boiled to 126 degrees Celsius and continuously stirred until it turns clear.
Interesting fact: The temperature required to boil the mixture to clear actually varies day to day and quite dramatically throughout the changing seasons. This is due to the varying temperatures and pressures of the surrounding environment!
Step 2: The Secret Ingredient!
Peppermint Oil!
Once the mixture is taken off the boil, fondant and Peppermint Oil are added and stirred in. Say goodbye to any colds or blocked noses at this point because that Peppermint is strong!
At this point, our Informed Sport blend of B Vitamins and Electrolytes are carefully added to the mixture to produce the KMC NRG BAR.
Continuous stirring is required to achieve the opaque, cloudy appearance. Otherwise, the mixture would be clear.
Quiggins use a secret blend of different Peppermint Oils from around the world to achieve their minty goodness!
Step 3: Precision Pouring
Once the mixture has turned cloudy, it's carefully poured into the mould by hand. The moulds are set on an iron cooling table to help speed up the process.
Impressive how accurate this process is considering it's still done by hand, right?
Step 4: A Delicate Hand
Once the moulds have been filled, it only takes 20 minutes for the Mint Cake to solidify ready for it to be removed from the mould for storage.
One batch typically takes 20 minutes to pour, so this means once the final moulds have been filled, the first ones have already set and are ready for moving.
A very delicate hand is needed for this process, as the bars are still relatively warm and soft.
Step 5: Cooling
Although it only takes 20 minutes to set, the Mint Cake is not quite ready to be packed as it is still pretty hot and is also releasing some moisture.
If they were packed at this point, they would likely break and moisture would collect on the inside of the wrappers. Nobody wants a soggy Mint Cake!
The bars are carefully staked into containers and covered over, where they cool over night ready for packing the next day.
Step 6: Packing
The next day, the bars are uncovered, and broken into the right sizes. They are then sent along a conveyor belt which wraps them and passes through a metal detector for one final check.
The bars are then carefully packed into their boxes and shrink-wrapped ready to be sent out for delivery.
Today, growing numbers of people are more active than ever before.
Drawn to the beauty and open spaces of places like the Lake District, but also urban streets and local parks. All manner of activities are enjoyed by all ages and abilities.
Running, cycling, swimming, climbing, the list goes on.
And for every activity, whether elite, enthusiast or just for fun, there is a need to fuel the body in the correct way.
Kendal Mint Cake can fulfill that need with updated, rejuvenated, 'recharged' products for the lives we live today.
KMC NRG BAR: Kendal Mint Cake Recharged - not just a Mint Cake anymore.
KMC Kendal Mint Cake today: Pioneering New Products
Our endeavor has culminated in an exciting fusion of the time-honored manufacturers of Kendal Mint Cake (dubbed 'The Original Energy Bar') with state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques.
The result is a pioneering range of Sports Nutrition products, meticulously crafted to empower your pursuit of new challenges and adventures.
