Tic Tac (candy)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Two 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

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 confectionery.

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 transparent plastic boxes with a flip-action lid. Originally, tic tacs were dyed the specific colours. Now, in many countries, the transparant plastic boxes are coloured for the specific flavours and the actual tic tacs remain white inside. 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, Orange & Grape, and Berry & Cherry.

Grape was eliminated in 1976 because of health concerns about the red dye amaranth (FD&C Red #2), a suspected carcinogen. The Orange Tic Tacs continued on their own without the Grape.

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 Fresh mint flavour, 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 tag line 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, humorous TV advertising campaign encourages potential purchasers in the UK to "Shake your tic tac".

In 2006, tic tac introduced a Bold edition with stronger flavours. With 1.9 calories per mint (advertised as having "less than 2 calories") it comes in two flavours, 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)
Carnaval (Brazil)
Bold! (strong flavors, fruit and mint varieties)
Lemon Mint (Australia and Brazil)