Barkleys Classic Mints

Aniseed

Anise or aniseed has been cultivated for probably 4,000 years, first in Egypt and the Middle East. Later, aniseed was brought to Europe for its medicinal value.

In ancient times, anise was so highly prized that it was often used for tithes, offerings and payment of taxes in the Middle East.

The Romans often served spiced aniseed cakes at the close of parties and entertainment to avoid indigestion. 

Charlemagne, in the ninth century, commanded that anise be grown on the imperial farms. Centuries later, King Edward IV used to sleep on bed linens that had been perfumed with anise.

Aniseed has a wide range of culinary applications, both sweet and savory. It is also used in confectionery and liqueurs.

Today, BARKLEYS Classic Aniseed combines the richness of this historic spice with the freshness of a mint.

Cinnamon

One of the oldest known spices, cinnamon is mentioned in the Bible and in Sanskrit writings.

Cinnamon is native to Sri Lanka and comes from the tropical evergreen laurel tree, Cinnamomum Verum.

The spice is the tree bark, rolled into sticks, quills or ground to powder.

Thousands of years ago, Egyptians included cinnamon in their embalming mixtures.

Cinnamon was also one of the spices that spurred world exploration.

BARKLEYS Classic Cinnamon combines the intensity of this popular spice with the freshness of a mint. 

Ginger

Ginger is the underground rhizome of the ginger plant.

The history of Ginger goes back over 5000 years when the Indians and ancient Chinese considered it a medicine for all ailments. 

After the ancient Romans imported ginger from China almost two thousand years ago, its popularity in Europe remained centered in the Mediterranean region until the Middle Ages when its use spread throughout other countries.

Although it was a very expensive spice, owing to the fact that it had to be imported from Asia, it was still in great demand.

In an attempt to make it more available, Spanish explorers introduced ginger to the West Indies, Mexico and South America.

BARKLEYS Classic Ginger is made with real ginger root, giving an intense spicy flavour.

Liquorice

Liquorice is the root of the glycyrrhiza glabra plant from which a sweet flavor can be extracted.

Liquorice as a herb is also known for its medicinal qualities.

Especially in ancient Greece, China and India, liquorice was often used to treat various conditions.

Liquorice has been widely used to treat cough and bronchitis and is also known to fight indigestion and gastric troubles.

BARKLEYS Classic Liquorice combines the smoothness of liquorice extract with the freshness of other natural ingredients.

Peppermint

Peppermint is the most popular of all breath mint flavors.

Peppermint is a natural hybrid of water mint (Mentha aquatica ) and spearmint (Mentha spicata ) and was first cultivated in England in the late seventeenth century.

The herb has been used as a remedy for indigestion since Ancient Egyptian times. The ancient Greeks and Romans valued it as a stomach soother. During the eighteenth century, peppermint became popular in Western Europe as a folk remedy for nausea, vomiting, morning sickness and respiratory infections. Nowadays, peppermint appears in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia as a remedy for intestinal colic, gas , colds, morning sickness, and menstruation pain.

Barkleys Classic Peppermint is a strong mint with a rich refreshing peppermint flavour. Intense like any Barkleys mint.

Wintergreen

Wintergreen (Gaultheria Procumbens) is a group of aromatic plants.  The term "wintergreen" once commonly referred to plants that remain green throughout the winter. The term "evergreen" is now more commonly used for this characteristic.

Wintergreen berries, from the Gaultheria Procumbens, are used medicinally. Native American brewed a tea from the leaves to alleviate rheumatic symptoms, headache, fever, sore throat and various aches and pains. These therapeutic effects likely arose because the plant contains salicylic acid, commonly known as aspirin.

During the American Revolution, wintergreen leaves were used as a substitute for tea, which was scarce.

Barkleys Classic Wintergreen is a fresh and spicy mint with wintergreen and other fresh flavours, not only suitable for the cold wintertime but also for other seasons.

Spearmint

Spearmint is a species of mint originating from the Mediterranean region in Europe.

Spearmint is also referred to as Garden Spearmint, Green Mint, Fish Mint, Our Lady’s Mint, Spire, Green, Lamb, and Pea. Having originated in the Mediterranean region, Spearmint was widely used in Greece as an aphrodisiac. It was also used to scent bath water, clear the voice, and cure hiccups.

Believed to be the oldest of the Mints, for centuries Spearmint has been used for its digestive benefits, often being served with or after meals to prevent or relieve gas, bloating, nausea, and indigestion. 

Barkleys Classic Spearmint is a refreshing yet mild mint with a characteristic spearmint flavour. Less strong than peppermint.