Emile Giffard was a pharmacist in Angers, in the Loire Valley, but a pharmacist like no other.  A curious inventor and gourmet, he carried out research on the digestive system and the refreshing properties of mint.  From this research he developed a pure, transparent, refined, white mint liqueur which he trialled with customers of the neighbouring Grand Hôtel to relieve them from the heat.  Emile then transformed his pharmacy into a distillery and named his liqueur Menthe-Pastille, in reference to the mints that were very popular at that time.

Five generations later, the Giffard company, still family-run, produces Menthe-Pastille, Crèmes de fruits, Liqueurs, Guignolets and Syrups, respecting the quality that has driven it from the start.