Peppermint Pigs for the Holidays
Jill Cordes: For most of us, candy canes and the cool flavor of peppermint bring back memories of Christmas past. And did you know ancient Egyptians actually claimed the peppermint had healing qualities. It’s long been used as a folk remedy to soothe the stomach. Although reindeer are synonymous with the Christmas season, in some households pigs takes center stage. But peppermint pig dates back to Saratoga, New York in the 1800s. And today, candy maker Mike Fitzgerald that keeps the legend alive.
Mike Fitzgerald: We make them pretty much the way they were made again back a hundred and 20 years ago which most important is that we use pure peppermint oil. It’s the way they were done back then before flavorings and extracts.
Jill Cordes: Old fashioned teapots keep the sugar then mixed the peppermint oil. It’s poured into pig molds, so thousand of kids can treasure this Christmas treat. And after all that work, these little piggies get pounded, a tradition that supposed believed to good luck.
Mike Fitzgerald: In most cases, people sit down at Christmas dinner with their family. Some of you take a break with pig, mention something good that happened to them that year. And then pass the pig around and make a pretty much like a family ceremony.
Jill Cordes: Breaking these days supposedly brings prosperity and kids love that pig out on the peppermint, just don’t hug it all. So here’s the good fortune in the kitchen I hope this will bring you good luck with my Christmas cookies. It’s kind of fun too, anyone. Anyone? Need any good luck?
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