I’m sitting here trying to think of a creative opening to talk about peppermint candy, but I can’t because I simply and honestly love anything minty. It is a fact of life. With a mint in your mouth anything is possible. I love how refreshing mint feels when you pop a piece of anything minty in your mouth, close your eyes I know you know the sensation!
I first knew I was seriously hooked when one summer we were on one of the famous Kennedy summer vacations – driving somewhere packed in the car. My Dad and my Mom in the front seat with one kid between them, then the rest of us piled in the back. Think of it – 4 stinky boys all next to one another. Suddenly I remember smelling something minty – the car came alive with the smell. I was clamoring to find out what it was. It turns out my Dad had popped a Rolaid in his mouth (who wouldn’t driving that clan of crazy kids). Oh, how I wanted whatever it was he had. I totally didn’t realize that what he was eating was really a chalky gross mess! How could something smell so wonderful and taste so poorly (yes, I did sneak one later when no one was looking).
From there my minty love affair has continued for decades. I always have something minty with me, gum, Mentos, those soft peppermint balls (Have you had those? They are the best, they simply melt in your mouth! Try Bob’s Sweet Stripe Soft Mint Candy), and with the holidays approaching Brach’s Peppermint Christmas Nougats. My love for mint also extends beyond candy – chocolate mint ice cream, mint cookies, mint brownies, even mint jelly!
With the holidays approaching peppermint is at the forefront – don’t you just love seeing the first batch of candy canes appear in the stores? It gets the senses reeling, something magical is coming. It is the time of year when I don’t try to resist temptation – these special sweets are with us for such a short time!
Quite simply, as long as there is a Coke in the fridge, something minty nearby, I am complete, there is nothing more I need!
