'This is mint as your Grandparents and Great-Grandparents would have known it' reads the slogan for Summerdown Pure Mint.  Founded by Sir Michael Colman (of mustard family fame), Summerdown Mint produces Black Mitcham mint which has not been grown in Britian for over fifty years.

Despite it being grown in industrial portions in Montana, Colman was keen to re-introduce Black Mitcham mint to Britain where it was first knowningly cultivated in South London in the 1750s.  For the last couple of centuries England was famous for producing the best mint in the world.  To this day, in fact, the French call peppermint menthe Anglaise.  During the Second World War only 'essential' crops were permissable and mint fields became a thing of the past.  During the last decade, Colman and his team have re-learned lost mint-farming skills and combined them with the latest production technology.  Summerdown Mint now has over 80 acres of Black Mitcham mint, which is harvested and processed into oil or dried leaf for peppermint tea.  They have recently launched a new product, Peppermint Travel Sweets.

• Why do you do what you do?
  As an arable farmer, it is my belief that we need to develop a high added value crop that we can expect the consumer to recognise and develop a taste for.


• What achievement are you most proud of?
  In Summerdown Pure Mint I really do believe we have developed a distinctive, traditional flavour that can be incorporated very successfully in a number of popular food products.


• What is your most memorable moment?
  The launch of our first product under the Summerdown Pure Mint brand name – Chocolate Peppermint Creams.  This was at the Speciality and Fine Food Fair in September 2005, where we went on to win a bronze award from the Academy of Chocolate in the best filled chocolate category.


• If you were Prime Minister, what one thing would you do to encourage more people to eat British Food?
  There is a gap in the food chain in this country that needs dealing with – we have well publicised chefs promoting excellent products, and we have excellent agricultural colleges.  There is no attempt made to get the colleges to lock into the chefs, and create opportunities for farmers to supply the foodstuffs identified.


• Favourite food and why?
  Pure quality peppermint, of course!


• What are your predictions for the future of British food?
  I never recall a time when there were so many original and creative speciality foods being developed and introduced to the market – mainly coming from small independent producers.  I believe the British food market will become even more exciting and will challenge the retail trade to keep pace with the opportunities available.


• If you were an advertising executive what slogan would you use to promote British food?
  British food offers traditional flavours for the 21st century.


• Credit crunch tip?
  Never release a new order until outstandings are paid up!


• What’s on the menu this evening?
  Peppermint tea to finish the meal, whatever the menu!


• How can people get hold of your produce?
  You’ll find us in many good delis, farmshops and speciality food stores or go to our website www.summerdownmint.com.