Mint Pattie versus Jupiter Bar versus Caramel Buds

Yesterday I had to go to the newsagency to get a MyWay student card for Rachel.  I also felt like something sweet and started hankering for a Mint Pattie – which is a stock-standard confectionary at News-agencies. To my dismay there were none! The shop keeper told me that they aren’t able to get them any more – which she said was a shame because they used to sell lots of them.

I bought a Jupiter Bar instead and it worked as well.  In fact I probably would have hankered for a Jupiter Bar before a Mint Pattie, but Jupiter Bars are normally only available from the Chemist!  (And the preceding two sentences are sad incitements on my life, that I know where you are more likely to buy particular chocolate bars!  Knowledge obtained after years of dedicated chocolate buying and eating…) 

Anyway, I decided to search the internet to see why they aren’t being distributed any more.  My search didn’t reveal any outrage due to it being discontinued, in fact, it didn’t really seem that they have been discontinued at all, but there were quite a few general comments about Mint Patties which I found interesting.  The biggest gripe was that they “don’t taste the same as they used to”.  I couldn’t understand this, because they have always tasted like squashed processed mint covered by sub-standard chocolate.  It’s just that as a 12 year old one is more likely to enjoy the taste of squashed mint goo and thin chocolate!  These thoughts reminded me of my childhood weekly visits to the Shop-Rite at Warramanga, where Mum would do her “big” shop for the week – at least until the Woolworths at Weston opened.  Every now and then, if we were really lucky (or more likely if our Grandparents happened to be visiting), we’d get 20c to buy some of the loose lollies that were for sale at the counter.   I used to love those occasions – they were rare but special (and my favourite were the Caramel Buds).  So today I am grateful for my childhood.  I am very fortunate that I have such lovely memories of growing up with Mum, Dad, Lois, and later Ruth, plus assorted family friends and relatives.

As for the Mint Pattie, someone has posted a recipe so I can prepare them myself.  Gotta try that one!