As a child, I remember my father keeping a tin of ‘curiously strong mints’ (better known as Altoids) by his nightstand. Back then, they only came in a Peppermint flavor and they were damn strong – hitting your nostrils with a blast of minty winterness (yes, I made that word up). Nowadays, the mint and candy section offers an interesting array of Altoids: Licorice, Ginger, Cool Honey, and Crème de Menthe.

My take:

Licorice: My absolute favorite out of the bunch packs a strong black licorice punch. (did not mean to rhyme with that one) You’re either going to love it or hate it. If you like the old school, penny-candy black licorice flavor – these Altoids are for you.

Ginger: These Altoids offers a distinct ginger flavor and once again, this is an option that can go either way. If you already like ginger, then you’ll be fine. However, for some, this could be an acquired taste.

Cool Honey: Can’t go wrong with a cool, refreshing mint with a touch of honey. The mint does overpower the honey, but it’s still a balanced combination for a product that markets itself as ‘strong.’ It’s almost like the sweetness of honey is fighting to emerge, but doesn’t quite fully blossom.

Crème de Menthe: Absolutely not up my alley. Too frosty and harsh for my taste.

By the way, three Altoids equal only 10 calories – making it a perfect distraction for dieters and people trying to quit smoking. The curiously strong mints also make a decent pick-me-up for less than desirable breath. Other Altoids flavors to consider: Cinnamon (pretty good), Wintergreen, and Spearmint.