The Seriously Fresh: Breath Shootout
Is your awfully foul breath keeping you from approaching that attractive girl at the bar? Fret not… We bring you the most definitive fresh breath choices.
Orbit
The brand: You will have to agree with the fact that these are the most readily and easily available mints in the market. Also, they come in a variety of flavours, so you’ll never get bored.
The taste: A mild to average minty taste depending upon the flavour you choose. The Spearmint variant comes closest to establishing its identity as that of a mint candy.
The potency: These can be your one-every-two-hours kind of gum as they don’t last long, but unlike other gums in the market, they don’t lose their chewable characteristic easily either.
The verdict: B
Altoids Mints
The brand: Let’s just all agree with the fact that most us got acquainted with this brand thanks to that friend studying in the US. Besides that, we haven’t seen it much in our country.
The taste: What we like about these is the fact that they are made with a strong peppermint flavour that refreshes the sensory organs of the mouth. It tastes like a mini minty explosion.
The potency: These aren’t anywhere close to those so-called-mints that are shamelessly marketed as ‘refreshingly strong’.
The verdict: A
Happydent
The brand: The brand invaded the Indian consumer’s conscious with astoundingly witty advertisements and the ultra-white teeth showcased via their marketing gimmicks.
The taste: It does a good job at first, but gradually fades away in about 20 minutes.
The potency: Let’s just put it this way — this one works perfectly fine after big meal escapades, but if you’re more of a drinker, you might need a stronger alternative.
The verdict: B+
Double Mint
The brand: These breath-friendly gum strips will only remind you of the overtly ugly green packaging they’ve come to be associated with.
The taste: Tastes like an average mint conditioner and surely not something that will make you feel ‘fresh’.
The potency: 5…4…3…2…1…Boom – the aftertaste lasts exactly that long.
The verdict: C
Mentos Mints
The brand: Another brand that has resorted to using humorous advertisements to market their product as a mint… Alas, only their advertisements seem to be effective.
The taste: Mint, what mint? This is probably the only one of the lot that defies the meaning of the word MINT.
The potency: If there is an inner child buried deep within your psyche that refuses to grow up, try these “mints”, as they only work as decent chew candies.
The verdict: D
Minto Ultramintz
The brand: When they were launched, we were given the impression that these were just another run-of-the-mill mint candy replacement, but thankfully, they do a good job.
The taste: Now these are refreshing because of its long lasting flavour. For us, these are second only to Altoids. Best part is they are sugar-free mints so you don’t need to count your calories.
The potency: This one goes on like a waterfall. Pro tip — pop two in together and drink water right after for an exceedingly refreshing aftertaste.
The verdict: A
From the April 2014 issue of FHM India.
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