Trebor built its reputation on a mint strong enough to clear a room, then spent just as long selling a completely different one built to do the opposite.
A name spelled backwards
Trebor was founded in 1907 in Forest Gate, east London, by Robert Robertson, whose surname reversed gave the company its name. The business grew from a small sweet manufacturer into one of Britain's best-known mint producers, later relocating major production to Colchester, Essex.
Extra Strong Mints made Trebor famous — Soft Mints offered something different
Trebor Extra Strong Mints became the brand's flagship product, a hard-boiled peppermint sold in a distinctive tin and known for genuinely clearing sinuses. Trebor Soft Mints were developed as a deliberate alternative: a chewier, fondant-style mint with a milder, creamier flavour for people who found the Extra Strong range too intense for everyday use, positioning it closer to a soft boiled sweet than a traditional hard mint.
From independent company to Mondelez brand
Cadbury Schweppes bought Trebor in 1989, bringing it under the same ownership as several other major British confectionery names. When Kraft acquired Cadbury in 2010, the Trebor range passed into what later became Mondelez International, which continues to manufacture Trebor mints, including the Soft Mints line, in the UK today.
A steady presence in pick and mix
Trebor Soft Mints remain a familiar sight in traditional sweet shops, sitting comfortably in our retro sweets collection alongside other long-running British brands.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between Trebor Soft Mints and Trebor Extra Strong Mints?
Trebor Extra Strong Mints are hard, densely packed peppermint sweets known for their intense hit, while Trebor Soft Mints are a chewier, softer-textured mint with a milder, creamier flavour, designed as a gentler everyday alternative to the Extra Strong line.
Where does the name Trebor come from?
Trebor is the name of its founder, Robert Robertson, spelled backwards. The company was founded in 1907 in Forest Gate, east London.
Who owns Trebor today?
Trebor was acquired by Cadbury Schweppes in 1989, and its brands are now part of Mondelez International, which continues to manufacture the Trebor mint range in the UK.