Merrimints
They no longer exist. Who made them? Schrafft's? Fanny Farmer? There were five flavors: peppermint, spearmint, orange, lemon, and (my favorite) wintergreen. Lamme's Sherbet Mints are of the same type, but peppermint only. At last, Vermont Country Store is selling an excellent modern-day version, minus the orange flavor. They are ridged on the bottom and, I believe, slightly smaller and perhaps a bit more cristalline in texture. But they are delicious, and very fresh. It appears possible that they may be shopped direct from the confectioner, which turns out to be Oliver's Candies, of Batavia, New York. Wintergreen! It's time to find some Canada Mints again. I've read that wintergreen is not a favorite modern flavor. It's certainly becoming more and more difficult to find Wint-O-Green Life Savers. And forget about clove! Does Life Savers even make rolls of clove or Cin-O-Mon these days?
permalink for 11/13/2009
7 comments
7 Comments:
I've bought the mints directly from Oliver's (cheaper than VCS and fresher too) multiple times and they're incredible, a taste from the past. Wintergreen is my favorite flavor with spearmint a distant second. The lemon ones taste a little too weak. Yes, wintergreen is not a 'modern' flavor but I like it, along with pineapple flavor candy (I think they took the pineapple flavor out of the 5-flavor Lifesavers in the '90's). I love pineapple preserves, which has disappeared out of stores as well. I just like the old fashioned candy better, not this modern blue-raspberry and other junk.
Now if you want to talk about vile flavored candy, there are violet flavored mints and gum that taste like soap, perfume and sugar mixed together! Should be buried 6 feet under!
I'm remembering other flavors as well. I too like the wintergreen the best, but I remember chocolate and perhaps lime? I really don't remember 3 varities of mint.
I remember & loved red cinnamin ones from Rich's Dept Store candy counter in downtown Atlanta in the 50's.
Ever seen red ones?
Max
Wintergreen's my favorite still, and I do think that I remember at least a couple of other flavors, although not the red one that the immediately previous comment mentions. I also wonder whether Fannie Farmer or Schrafft's or both didn't produce a confection similar to Merrimints.
In th 1960s, whenever I visited my grandmother, she would buy a long skinny box of 16 mints...white, pink , green, yellow and orange. The se were really great and I have oftern wondered where to get them. After many searches, and finding out they are no longer made as "merrimints", thanks to the internet and sites like this , I have found something pretty close. Yes, Olivers is pretty good, but some other places just charge an arm and a leg. Chocolate fudge is cheaper? What gives there? Nana bought hers at the A & P store! Some places charge $14 per pound....filet mignon isnt that costly...so if you do take the plunge and splurge, savor every yummy bite and remember when this confection cost less than 3-4 gallons of gas....ah, the price of memories
Thalhimer's department store in Richmond, VA sold these by the pound at their candy counter during my childhood, about mid-70s to mid-80s. I remember both the pastel colors and the vivid red, white & emerald green ones at Christmas. I believe that Fanny Farmer also sold a similar ridged mint by the pound. I have tried the Lamme's mints (ordered from Miles Kimball - 7oz for $13 and also available at Cracker Barrel restaurant gift shops around Easter time). They are delicious, but not quite what I remember as a kid. I can't wait to order the ridged ones from Oliver's!
P.S. I think the violet mints (by C. Howard's candy company)are unique! I wonder that floral flavorings for candy might have been in vogue a long time ago. I enjoy them, but admit they are an acquired taste... on the order of black licorice (which I also like).
Besides Vermont candy Store check out Ameri-Mints...same thing!
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