Bassett's Everton Mints

There was nearly a spot of bother in the store recently. One of our regulars and I were propping up opposite sides of the counter discussing English soccer. I am famously one of only two known Crystal Palace fans in all of Canada; he is Manchester United's greatest fan in this sector of the galaxy.

The door of the store opened and in marched one of only two known Manchester City fans in all of Canada - proudly wearing his team shirt.

There are certain rivalries among British soccer fans that can lead to explosive situations. For example, I heat the store during the long, cruelly cold Canadian winter simply by placing Glasgow Rangers and Glasgow Celtic fan T-shirts alongside each other on our shelves.

Rivalry between the two Manchester teams can also lead to difficult situations. The two men stood a few feet apart and, as their eyes met, the store's air-conditioning kicked into high gear.

Quickly refereeing the situation, I turned the conversation to another English soccer rivalry - the one between Merseyside teams Liverpool and Everton. Then somebody asked me about the origin of the famous "Everton Mints".

Weep Liverpool fans, Everton FC has its own candy. Its origins involve yet another rivalry between two candy makers adjacent to Everton's socccer ground. "Everton" Mints were named for the team back in the 19th Century. These delicious candies have a striped hard sugar candy exterior with a soft toffee filling.

And, of course, you can buy Everton Mints at Blighty's Tuck Store - no matter which team you support.