Tic Tac (candy)

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A couple of boxes of Australian Peppermint-flavored Tic Tacs

Polypropylene lid of a Tic Tacs box, with a living hinge and the resin identification code under its flap

A Canadian box of Tic Tac "Big Pack" format mints. Size comparison with an iPod nano

Two US cinnamon flavored Tic Tacs on a Tic Tac box

This article describes a brand of mints. For the betting signalling system, please refer to tic-tac.

Tic Tac is the brand name of small, hard mints manufactured by the Italian confectioner Ferrero. Consumers enjoy them as a breath mint or simply as a low-calorie confectionary.

They were originally introduced to the United States in 1969 and have been a popular product throughout the world. They are usually sold in small see-through plastic boxes with a flip-action lid. Different flavours and forms of Tic Tac candies have maintained the success of the brand in a rapidly changing consumer environment.

During the 1970s, "double packs" were introduced, featuring a regular Tic Tac container with two flavors inside. Available combinations were Tangerine & Lime, and Berry & Cherry.

Other innovations included:

Holiday gift packs for Christmas, Easter, and St Valentine's Day
Silvers - Individually wrapped mints designed for candy bowls
30% Bigger Mints - featuring Tic Tacs that are 30% bigger

Besides the original Freshmint flavor, several new varieties were added over time, including: cinnamon (or "Winter Warmer"), orange, spearmint, peppermint, mandarin, wintergreen and lime. In 2005 a limited edition flavor of lemon was introduced.

Since 1980, its tagline has been "The 1½ Calorie Breath Mint®." It currently occupies the #1 position in the U.S. breath mint category.

In the UK, Ireland and Australia Tic Tacs are noted as being less than 2 calories with the slogan "2 hours of Tic Tac freshness in less than 2 calories". A more recent, humourous TV advertising campaign encourages potential purchasers in the UK to "Shake your Tic Tac".

In 2006, Tic Tac introduced a Bold edition with stronger flavors. With 1.9 calories per mint (advertised as having "less than 2 calories") it comes in two flavors, Mint and Fruit.

The name "Tic Tac" is an example of ablaut reduplication.

1 Flavors
2 Nutrition facts
3 See also
4 External links

[edit] Flavors

Tic Tacs come in several different flavors. Here are some examples:

Cinnamon (first alternative flavor from 1970s, "limited edition" in UK called Winter Warmer)
Tangerine
Orange (added after the Tangerine was popular in the double pack)
Wintergreen (added in 1980s)
Spearmint (added in 1980s)
Lime (added in 1990s)
Freshmint (Europe/US); Peppermint (Australia)
Fruit Festival (limited edition)
Citrus Twist (limited edition)
Tropical Twist
Extra Strong
Passionfruit (New Zealand and Australia)
Hexa (Brazil)
Bold! (strong flavors, fruit and mint varieties)