The Peppermint Pig Candy Store
My introduction to the Peppermint Pig came from a catalogue, a good thirty years ago. This past summer, on a trip to Saratoga Springs, New York, I went searching for the Peppermint Pigs home; and found it.
I have to say the store was very unassuming, and though I went in, I was alone and therefore lacked the courage Kate gives me, to take a picture inside the store.
Nevertheless, it was a fun stop and yes, The Peppermint Pig came home with us. Below is some further information, from their website, in case you are wondering why a Peppermint Pig should be added to your Christmas table.
The above little hammer is actually from our first Peppermint Pig. When I told Kate I was featuring The Peppermint Pig store, for A View From the Road, she told me she still had the first hammer. Where did she keep it, you might be wondering, in her tool box!
https://www.saratogasweets.com/peppermint-pig/
“In early Decembers long since past, while the quaint Victorian village of Saratoga Springs slept quietly through a chilled and moonlit eve, legend suggests that a bit of magic was in the making.
The first dusting of winter’s snow gathered in darkened downtown doorways and twirled by night’s wind seemed to dance and whirl like sugarplum fairies. Behind the oaken doors of gingerbread-sized candy shops that dotted Saratoga, tireless old candy makers, bathed in amber glow of crackling hearth and bubbling candy pots, labored on into the night creating… and continuing a holiday tradition known to all as the “Peppermint Pig™
This “Peppermint Pig™ as aptly it was named, was cast of hard candy similar in fashion to candy cane and festive pink in colour. And while the pig is honored in Victorian holiday tradition as a symbol of good health, happiness and prosperity, these special “Peppermint Pigs”,™ unique to Saratoga Springs, New York, came to represent much more. They proudly stood for and old-fashioned Yuletide itself-a wonderful time when red-cheeked children laughed and rode old wooden sleds over fresh snow, when church bells pealed and fond recollections were shared by family and friends. After the holiday dinner, the Pig was passed amongst those gathered, each in turn giving the pouch a firm tap and sharing a tale of the past year’s good fortune. The delicious broken peppermint and warm memories were enjoyed by all in hopes of prosperity for the coming year.
As the holiday seasons passed and time marched further into a new century, the tradition of the “Peppermint Pig”™ continued on in popularity…until Father Time could wait no longer. One by one the candy makers of Saratoga Springs passed onto their reward and the “Peppermint Pigs”™ became but a wonderful memory.”
