Hands up if you thought a 99 was called this because it used to be 99p? 🙋🏼♀️
This is actually a myth! When this iconic ice cream was first introduced back in the late 1920’s/1930’s, Britain didn’t use pence. Even if they did, 99p would have equated to around £43 😲
Well, according to Sarah Foden from the Cadbury archives, the name has a special meaning. Speaking to Metro, she said: ‘The real reason for the name of the Flake 99 has been lost in the mists of time, however the best piece of evidence we have of its origins comes from a Cadbury works paper.’
The paper states that in 1928 some of the Italian soft ice cream makers in County Durham were trying to think of ways of introducing other lines to increase their sales and as a result, created the Flake 99,’ she explained.
‘In the days of the monarchy in Italy the King has a specially chosen guard consisting of 99 men, and subsequently anything really special or first class was known as ’99’ – and that his how ’99’ Flake came by its name.’
And now you know 🍦