Kendal is famous for Kendal Mint Cake – a traditional confectionary that’s sweet, distinctive and packed full of energy (just like us locals). All joking aside, throughout its history Kendal Mint Cake has been renowned among mountaineers and adventurers as a high energy treat.
It was famously carried by Sir Edmund Hillary and his team on the first ever ascent of Mount Everest in 1953, and Sir Ernest Shackleton on the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1914-17. More recently, film star Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman packed Kendal Mint Cake for their epic round-the-world trip on motorbikes – Long Way Round.
How the traditional recipe came about is a bit of a mystery, although legend says it came from a batch of peppermint creams that ‘went wrong’. When the mixture was left overnight, it solidified into a solid bar of powerful peppermint and Kendal Mint Cake was born. Kendal Mint Cake is also an important part of our heritage.
Romney’s, Quiggin’s and Wilson’s are all famous names in the production of Kendal Mint Cake – Romney’s and Quiggin’s both still produce the minty treat in our beautiful town to this day. Make sure you pick up a bar in one of the local shops.
Taking inspiration from the legendary Kendal Mint Cake, in 1990, Kendal Mint Cake Liqueur was created as an apéritif to enjoy amongst friends.
