Mints

I have developed a strong attachment to Altoids, which is strange, because until a few months ago, I had never tasted one. Also strange because I don’t like most candy.

Hard candy is particularly awful. I mean, who wants to suck something that tastes like a flavoured piece of plastic? Yes, the piece of plastic gets progressively smaller and eventually dissolves, but still… Don’t get me started on gummies, chewy multicoloured rubber anyone? Chewing gum? It actually becomes tasteless after a while, making the similarity to chewing on rubber nauseatingly evident.

But Altoids taste natural. The texture is sandy like sugar. Basically, they are tiny rounds of compressed sugar, made refreshing by a dose of mint oil. This particular flavour, crème de menthe (pictured above), is not so natural and does rely on artificial flavours. But texturally, I think it is still pleasing. I used to occasionally snack on sugar as a kid (when I could get away with it, shhh…don’t tell my mother). And eating Altoids is a more palatable and socially acceptable way for adults to get a pure sugar kick.

I also love Altoids because they help me get rid of lingering flavours in my mouth. I especially detest the burn of raw onion, which clings to the tongue long after a meal is over. I don’t think they are particularly helpful in improving one’s breath though. After one, I always feel my breath smells kind of stale. In any case, I’ve found a mint I can tolerate and that makes me very happy.