Tic-tac

Tic Tac

Tic Tac
Type	Mints
Course	Confectionery
Place of origin	Italy
Created by	Ferrero
Serving temperature	Room temperature
Main ingredients	Sugar, fructose, rice starch, flavorings
Variations	Numerous flavors including mint, orange, and mixed berry
Cookbook: Tic Tac   Media: Tic Tac

Tic Tac is a brand of small, hard mints, produced by the Italian confectioner Ferrero. Originally introduced in 1969, Tic Tacs were first launched as "refreshing mints" and have since become one of the most recognizable and widely consumed mint brands in the world.

History

Tic Tac mints were introduced by Ferrero in 1969 under the name "Refreshing Mints," and were later rebranded as "Tic Tac" to mimic the sound made by the mints being shaken in their transparent plastic container. The brand has expanded globally and diversified into numerous flavors and limited editions beyond the original mint.

Ingredients and Flavors

Tic Tacs are primarily made from sugar, with less than 0.5 grams of sugar per mint. Other ingredients include fructose, rice starch, and various flavorings depending on the product variant. Over the years, Tic Tac has introduced a wide range of flavors, including but not limited to mint, orange, cherry, passion fruit, and green apple. Seasonal and limited edition flavors are also periodically released.

Packaging

One of Tic Tac's distinctive features is its packaging: a small, rectangular box with a flip-action living hinge lid, designed to dispense a single mint at a time. The transparent container allows the colorful mints to be seen, contributing to the product's appeal.

Marketing

Tic Tac has been marketed with an emphasis on its refreshing qualities and low calorie content, making it a popular choice for people seeking a quick, breath-freshening snack. The brand has utilized various marketing strategies over the years, including memorable advertisements and sponsorships.

Cultural Impact

Tic Tacs have penetrated popular culture and have been mentioned in films, music, and television shows. The brand's global recognition is a testament to its widespread appeal and longevity in the confectionery market.

Variants

The brand continually innovates with new flavors and collaborations, such as Tic Tac Coca-Cola, which was a co-branded release combining the iconic cola flavor with Tic Tac's signature crunch.

Nutritional Information

Being primarily made of sugar, Tic Tacs are considered a sweet treat. However, due to their small size, they contain minimal calories per mint, which has been a key selling point in Ferrero's marketing of the product.