Image: Submitted by Ganong
If you’ve been missing Ganong’s mints, you’re in luck because they’ll be available for the first time in years.
As part of its decision to offer some joy during difficult times, Ganong is releasing its signature Double Thick Mints and Wintergreen Lozenges in a limited edition tin.
Janelle Shillington, director of marketing with Ganong, says the rising costs associated with making the traditionally handmade mints were why production was stopped in 2018.
“The equipment is antiquated so there are considerations in terms of maintenance in the equipment, getting it running reliably and predictably,” she said.
She says the mints date back to the 1500s and there have been many different versions of them. The design for the tin is taken from the recent refresh of the Ganong logo with artisanal windows to show the lozenges.
“We knew that consumers would miss them but we didn’t anticipate how much they would miss them and how many calls and heartfelt messages that we would get from consumers on their connections with the mints,” she said.
Shillington says people have been contacting the company by phone, email and handwritten letters to tell of the different ways they connect with the mints.
“Their heartfelt messages about the connection that they have and the reminder of the mints with family members. Their parents or grandparents always had the mints and so they do so there’s a tradition associated,” Shillington said.
“We’ve had people request the recipe, if we’re not going to make them anymore, they’ll make them themselves.”
Shillington says people have written in to say they used the mints on their way to quitting smoking and even other more interesting stories about who or what is missing the mints.
“We’ve also heard from some people that own horses in the province and apparently they’re a sweet treat for horses too. So who knew but apparently horses have been missing the mints as well,” she said.
The mints were released a few weeks ago. They will be available throughout February and March while supplies last on the Ganong website and through different retailers in the province.
