What sweet British treat, made since the 1790's, is called "The Original Celebrated Curiously Strong Peppermints"?

That famous slogan, "The Original Celebrated Curiously Strong Peppermints," belongs to a treat with a surprisingly long history. The mints were first produced in London during the 1790s by Smith & Company. The "curiously strong" part of their name wasn't just clever marketing; the original recipe was designed to be exceptionally potent. With a high concentration of real peppermint oil, they were initially sold as a lozenge to relieve stomach discomfort, making their powerful, palate-cleansing flavor a key part of their identity from the very beginning.

While their roots are firmly in 18th-century Britain, the mints became an international icon much more recently. After being introduced to the United States, their popularity surged thanks to witty, vintage-style advertising campaigns in the late 20th century that embraced their unique strength and classic metal tin. Today, the brand is owned by the American company Mars, Incorporated, and has expanded beyond the original peppermint to include a variety of other intense flavors. This enduring legacy, from a Georgian-era stomach remedy to a modern-day staple of checkout aisles, makes them a fascinating piece of culinary history.