CLOSED Jakemans Menthologist Q and A, plus a GIVEAWAY Ends April 11th

WIN THIS Sized Jar

At the risk of putting a dampener on your sunny days, I am going to be dealing with the cold, not cold weather  I hasten to add, before I get strung up

But the common cold, sniffles, coughing and genrally feeling under the weather. I have spoken to friends and twitter friends this week who are all suffering with a bug or the start of hayfever, feel so much worse in the sunshine I think.

Don't worry I have a little sweetener to entice you, this comes from the nice people at Jakemans who have offered my readers prizes, there see, knew that would make you linger longer hopefully than the sniffles!

 Jakemans have put together a lovely Q and A about why Menthol (the main ingredient in their sweets) works well to cure all these spring sniffles. Have a read then see below for the chance to win a jar of Jakemans Blackcurrant Menthol Sweets

Q&A with the Jakemans Mentholologist, Steve Pearce

Steve Pearce, BSc, CSci, CChem, FRSC, MIoD
The Jakemans Mentholologist

Steve Pearce is a Biochemist, a Chartered Scientist and former president of The British Society of Flavourists. He is an expert in flavours, aromas and fragrances.
Steve has been working with Jakemans traditional menthol confectionary to explore the science of Mentholology and menthol’s effect upon the senses, body and mind. Steve is known for recreating the smell of space, the smell of Cleopatra’s hair and features in the BBC 2 food science series ‘E numbers – An Edible Adventure.’

When was menthol first used?

The properties of peppermint oil and consequently menthol are believed to have been recognised for some time with reports of use in Japan about 2,000 years ago, although first recorded use in Europe only occurs around 1771.

How is menthol made?

Menthol can be produced naturally from mint but can also be synthetically produced, most commonly from citronella oil. When produced naturally fresh mint is air-dried to create mint oil which is filtered to remove any solid particles and impurities.

The mint oil then cooled to -40°c to cause the menthol in the oil to form flakes and separate from it. The solid flakes are then collected and heated to 50°c which creates a liquid solution of menthol which is then cooled to room temperature resulting in crystallisation.

Once crystallation is complete it is poured into decanting trays where the large clumps of crystals are broken down and form smaller crystals, fine needles and powder.

How much menthol is made?
The current annual world production is estimated to be in excess of 32,000 metric tons.

Why is Menthol so good at easing coughs and sore throats?

1. Menthol is unique for the cooling sensations it imparts to the skin, stuffy noses and sore throats. It works very cleverly to create a cooling sensation which numbs nerve sensations creating the soothing effect found in Jakemans menthol confectionary. The science that generates this effect is a result of the molecule interacting with specific receptor sites in cell membranes
2. Menthol helps ease runny noses and it stimulates bronchial opening making breathing easier
3. Menthol has powerful anti-bacterial properties so can naturally kill off micro-organisms that may lead to a throat infection

What else is menthol used for?

Menthol is included in many products for a variety of reasons. Here is a list of just a fraction of them:

• Lip balms
• Products to reduce itching
• Gels and creams that reduce minor aches and pains like muscle cramps, sprains and headaches
• In sunburn treatments
• In toothpastes and mouthwash products as well as chewing gum
• As a pesticide to protect bees against mites
• By perfumers to enhance floral notes like rose
• In treatments for indigestion
• In first aid products to produce a cooling affect in place of ice
• and of course menthol is a very important ingredient in Jakemans!

Jakemans range of traditional cough and throat sweets is available in six flavours, Throat & Chest, Honey & Lemon Menthol, Cherry Menthol, Menthol & Eucalyptus, Blueberry Menthol and the NEW Blackcurrant Menthol.

Jakemans are available from a number of retailers including major supermarkets (Sainsbury’s, ASDA, Tesco), key health retailers (Boots, Superdrug) the convenience sector and many independent stores.
For more information, please visit www.jakemans.com.

Now for the giveaway, Jakemans are giving away one jar of Blackcurrant Menthol Sweets (approx 2.75kg)  and a pack of Blackcurrant Menthol Sweets for two runners-up.

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