View source for Altoids

{{short description|Brand of breath mints}}
{{Infobox brand
| name           = Altoids
| logo           = Altoids brand logo.png
| logo_size   = 200
| image          = Minty (34757056).jpg
| image_size   = 200
| caption        = 
| producttype    = [[mint (candy)|Mint]]
| currentowner   = [[Mars, Inc.]]
| producedby     = [[Wrigley Company]]
| country        =  
| introduced     = {{start date and age|1780}}
| discontinued   = 
| related        = 
| markets        = 
| previousowners = [[Callard & Bowser]]
| trademarkregistrations = 
| ambassadors    = 
| tagline        = 
| website        = {{url|https://www.altoids.com/| altoids.com}}
| module         = <!-- or: misc -->
| module1        = <!-- or: misc1 -->
| footnotes     =
}}
{{Infobox prepared food
| name = Altoids
| image = 
| caption = 
| alternate_name = 
| country = 
| national_cuisine = 
| creator = 
| year = {{start date and age|1780}}
| time1 = 
| time2 = 
| course = 
| type = 
| served = 
| main_ingredient = Sugar or [[sorbitol]]
| minor_ingredient = Natural and/or artificial flavours
| variations = 406
| serving_size = 3 pieces (2g)
| calories = 10
| protein = 0
| fat = 0
| carbohydrate = 2
| glycemic_index = 
| similar_dish = 
| other = Owner: [[Wrigley Company|Mars Wrigley]]
| no_recipes = true
}}

'''Altoids''' are a brand of [[Mint (candy)|mint]]s, sold primarily in distinctive metal tins. The brand was created by the [[London]]-based Smith & Company in the 1780s, and became part of the [[Callard & Bowser]] company in the 19th century. Their advertising slogan is "The Original Celebrated Curiously Strong Mints", referring to the high concentration of [[peppermint oil]] used in the original flavour lozenge. The mints were originally conceived as a lozenge intended to relieve intestinal discomfort.

== Marketing ==
[[Callard & Bowser-Suchard]] once manufactured Altoids at a plant in [[Bridgend]], [[Wales]], but has since moved production to a Mars Wrigley plant in [[Chattanooga, Tennessee]], United States, in order to manufacture the products closer to where they are primarily marketed.<ref name="Wrigley's Chattanooga Plant">{{cite web|url=http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/12/life-savers-100-wrigley-chattanooga/?print|title=Life Savers at 100: Wrigley cites Chattanooga plant during celebration|last=Pare|first=Mike|date=April 12, 2012|publisher=Chattanooga Times Free Press|access-date=27 June 2012|archive-date=11 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511022921/http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/12/life-savers-100-wrigley-chattanooga/?print|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Altoids moves to Chattanooga">{{cite web|url=http://www.preparedfoods.com/articles/altoids-made-in-america|title=Altoids: Made in America|date=September 7, 2005|publisher=Prepared Foods Network|access-date=27 June 2012|archive-date=5 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905182909/http://www.preparedfoods.com/articles/altoids-made-in-america|url-status=live}}</ref> They were marketed for a brief period in the 1990s under the "Nuttall's" brand when Callard and Bowser was under the ownership of [[Terry's]].

==Flavours and varieties==

===Mints===
{{As of|2022|June}}, Altoids [[Mints (candy)|mints]] are available in five flavours, namely [[peppermint]], [[wintergreen]], [[spearmint]], [[cinnamon]], and [[strawberry]].<ref name="Altoids homepage">{{cite web|url=https://productcentral.mars.com/altoids|title=Altoids|access-date=2015-02-21|archive-date=2019-05-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531130118/https://productcentral.mars.com/altoids|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Our Products |url=https://www.altoids.com/our-products |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=ALTOIDS® |language=en |archive-date=2022-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707074902/https://www.altoids.com/our-products |url-status=live }}</ref> "Sugar-Free Smalls", tiny square mints sweetened with [[sorbitol]] and [[sucralose]], are also available in peppermint, wintergreen, and cinnamon. In 2007, [[dark chocolate]]-dipped mints were introduced in three flavours, namely peppermint, cinnamon and [[ginger]] and in 2008, dark chocolate-dipped mints were introduced in [[crème de menthe]]. The chocolate-dipped varieties were discontinued in 2010. Also historically made, but no longer available, were [[liquorice]], cool [[honey]], and (non-chocolate dipped) ginger and crème de menthe varieties. Circa early 2011, Altoids altered the ingredients of their wintergreen mints, adding blue food colouring. Altoid mints other than those labelled "sugar-free smalls" contain [[gelatin]].{{Citation needed|date=September 2019}}

===Sours===
Sour hard candies in round tins were introduced in 2001 but were discontinued in 2010 due to low sales.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Gilbert-Lurie|first1=Mikaela|title=Why Were Altoids Sours Discontinued? Here's The Sad Truth About The Puckery Candy's Mysterious Disappearance|url=http://www.bustle.com/articles/95869-why-were-altoids-sours-discontinued-heres-the-sad-truth-about-the-puckery-candys-mysterious-disappearance|access-date=September 18, 2017|date=July 9, 2015|archive-date=September 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918201947/https://www.bustle.com/articles/95869-why-were-altoids-sours-discontinued-heres-the-sad-truth-about-the-puckery-candys-mysterious-disappearance|url-status=live}}</ref> Flavours included [[raspberry]], [[citrus]], [[apple]], [[tangerine]], and [[mango]]. Limited edition [[passion fruit]] sours were also released around Valentine's Day in 2005 in a larger {{cvt|2.3|oz|g}} tin instead of the standard {{cvt|1.76|oz|g}} sours tins that had been released up until then.

===Gum===
The sugar-free [[chewing gum]], introduced in 2003, was made in the [[United States]]. Flavors include peppermint, cinnamon, spearmint, wintergreen and two sour flavours, [[cherry]] and apple. The gum has not been seen in stock in US stores since January 2010 and has been discontinued.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.adafruit.com/blog/2010/04/29/is-wrigleys-mars-inc-killing-off-the-altoids-product-and-brand/|title=Is Wrigleys (Mars, Inc) killing off the Altoids product and brand?|work=Adafruit Industries - Makers, hackers, artists, designers and engineers!|date=29 April 2010 |access-date=8 February 2015|archive-date=31 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130531000559/https://www.adafruit.com/blog/2010/04/29/is-wrigleys-mars-inc-killing-off-the-altoids-product-and-brand/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Altoids Strips===
In 2003, breath strips in peppermint and cinnamon flavors were introduced. They were discontinued.{{cn|date=September 2019}}

===Altoids Arctic===
In 2014, [[Eclipse mints|Eclipse Mints]], another Wrigley product, were rebranded as Altoids Arctic, with the tin remaining identical save for labelling. The rebranded mints were released in only Peppermint, Wintergreen, and Strawberry, doing away with the wider varieties of Eclipse such as Cinnamon, Winterfrost, and several other flavors, as well as the chewable. As before, each tin contains {{cvt|1.2|oz|g}}, or about 50 mints.{{Citation needed|date=August 2021}}

=== Retro Sours ===
In 2024, a revival of the discontinued Altoids Sours was introduced under the name Retro Sours. Produced by Iconic Candy, these candies feature  flavors such as [[citrus]], [[tangerine]], and [[mango]]. Though not manufactured by the original brand, the re-release garnered attention for its nostalgic appeal.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Altoids Sours Are Being Recreated by a Small Family Business Selling at Cracker Barrel — and We Tried Them |url=https://people.com/altoids-sours-are-being-recreated-as-retro-sours-and-we-tried-them-8709893 |access-date=2025-03-20 |website=People.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Tins==
{{multiple image
| title = 
| align  =
| direction = 
| perrow =  
| total_width = 400
| image1 = Altoidstins1b.jpg 
| caption1 =  A collection of Altoids tins
| image2 = Trevqrp.png
| caption2 = An Altoids tin used to house an amateur [[QRP operation|QRP]] rig
| footer = 
}}
The distinctive tins in which Altoids mints are packaged are often reused for other purposes. They have long been used as containers for household items like paper clips, coins, sewing materials and other small items. Many people make "Altoids Wallets" out of the tins, decorating the interior to add personalization.<ref name="Altoids_FAQ_packaging">{{cite web
 |url          = http://www.altoids.com/faq/
 |title        = Altoids FAQ: Are Altoids® tins recyclable?
 |work         = Altoids.com
 |year         = 2011
 |access-date   = 2011-08-08
 |quote        = For over 100 years, Altoids® were packaged in small rectangular cardboard cartons that were approximately the same size as today's recognisable tins. The tins were introduced in the 1920s to help protect the mints and to stay neatly closed in pockets and handbags.
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20110726124819/http://www.altoids.com/faq
 |archive-date = 2011-07-26
 |url-status     = dead
}}</ref><ref name="Altoids_FAQ_storage">{{cite web
 |url          = http://www.altoids.com/faq/
 |title        = Altoids FAQ: Is there a story behind the Altoids® tin?
 |work         = Altoids.com
 |year         = 2011
 |access-date   = 2011-08-08
 |quote        = The good news about these tins is that they also come in handy as small storage containers for things like nails, coins, paper clips and buttons to name a few – the possibilities are endless. We've even learned that the tins have been used for more curious purposes – as hand-held works of art, even as an emergency wilderness stove.
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20110726124819/http://www.altoids.com/faq
 |archive-date = 2011-07-26
 |url-status     = dead
}}</ref>

Altoids tins have also been popular with outdoor enthusiasts for many years as [[first-aid]] or [[mini survival kit]] containers. A name for these kits is ''Bug-Out Altoids Tins'', or ''BOATs''.<ref name="HomemadeBOAT">{{cite web
  | author = sweeper
  | url = http://www.oldjimbo.com/Outdoors-Magazine/Homemade-BOAT-Bug-Out-Altoids-Tin.pdf
  | title = Homemade BOAT (Bug Out Altoids Tin)
  | work = Outdoors-Magazine.com
  | date = January 11, 2008
  | access-date = 2011-08-08
  | archive-date = 2011-07-16
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110716162536/http://www.oldjimbo.com/Outdoors-Magazine/Homemade-BOAT-Bug-Out-Altoids-Tin.pdf
  | url-status = live
  }}</ref>

The tins are sometimes used to house electronics projects. [[BeagleBone#BeagleBone|BeagleBone]], a single-board computer made by [[Texas Instruments]], is deliberately shaped with rounded corners to fit inside the tin.<ref>{{cite web|title=And here comes the winner… BEAGLEBONE!|url=http://eegraphics.com/roadside/?p=3417|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829000129/http://eegraphics.com/roadside/?p=3417|archive-date=2018-08-29|access-date=24 May 2016|website=Roadside Mysteries}}</ref>

A [[retrocomputing]] hobbyist computer, the [[Membership Card (computer)|Membership Card]] is a series of 1802/8080/Z80 based microcomputer kits, designed to fit in an Altoids tin,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Hart|first1=Lee|title=The Membership Card Computer|url=http://www.sunrise-ev.com/|website=Lee Hart's Homepage|publisher=Lee Hart|access-date=4 Oct 2022|archive-date=4 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004172733/http://www.sunrise-ev.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[CMoy|CMoy pocket headphone amplifiers]] often use the containers as an enclosure.<ref>{{cite web|title=Five Best Portable Headphone Amplifiers|url=http://lifehacker.com/five-best-portable-headphone-amplifiers-1722800379|website=Lifehacker|date=9 August 2015 |access-date=24 May 2016|archive-date=27 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160527013622/http://lifehacker.com/five-best-portable-headphone-amplifiers-1722800379|url-status=live}}</ref>

The minty[[Raspberry Pi|Pi]] is a kit that uses an Altoids tin to house a portable retro gaming machine.<ref>{{cite web|title=mintyPi Archives|url=https://sudomod.com/category/mintypi/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513232513/https://sudomod.com/category/mintypi/|archive-date=2021-05-13|website=Sudomod}}</ref>

==Altoids Award==
At the grand opening of [[The New Museum of Contemporary Art]] in 2007, Altoids announced the biennial Altoids Award, in which cash prizes of {{US$|25,000|long=no}} are awarded to four artists from around the US. Winners have their art exhibited at the museum after the rigorous selection process is completed. The first winners were chosen by [[Paul McCarthy]], [[Cindy Sherman]] and [[Rirkrit Tiravanija]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2007-03-30|title=Announcing The Altoids Awards, $100,000 for Emerging Artists|url=https://www.e-flux.com/announcements/40494/announcing-the-altoids-awards-100-000-for-emerging-artists/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224185318/https://www.e-flux.com/announcements/40494/announcing-the-altoids-awards-100-000-for-emerging-artists/|archive-date=2021-02-24|access-date=2021-08-29|website=e-flux|language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Fisherman's Friend]]
*[[List of breath mints]]
*[[Victory V]]
*[[Vigroids]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* Grant, Jeremy. "New brands take a toll on Wrigley" ''Financial Times'', London Ed. 26-Oct-2005, pg 27.
* [[Daniel Terdiman|Terdiman, Daniel]]. "Altoids, the curiously strong tin; The container stylishly stores battery chargers, iPods and more." ''New York Times'' 2-Feb-2005.
* "Wrigley to buy Altoids and Life Savers from Kraft." ''Candy Industry'' ISSN 0745-1032; Volume 169; Issue 11 1-Nov-2004.
* What's News. ''The Wall Street Journal'', Business and Finance, pg A1. 15-Nov-2004.
* Pare, Mike. "Wrigley to invest $14M to make Altoids in its Chattanooga, Tenn., plant." ''Chattanooga Times/Free Press'', Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News. 23-Aug-2005.

==External links==
{{ccat}}
* {{oweb}}
* {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811093626/http://altoidschewinggum.com/ |date=August 11, 2011 |title=Altoids Chewing Gum}} (archived)
* [http://larbremarius.fr/2011/04/26/altoids-the-curiously-strong-awards-video-clip/ The Altoids Curiously Strong Awards Video Clip] {{in lang|fr}}{{Update-inline|date=January 2021}}
* [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-12-02-ls-4876-story.html#:~:text=Altoids%20were%20first%20mixed%2D%2D,.%E2%80%9D%20Anti%2Dgas%20tablets A Breath of Fresh Air in an Old Tin]

{{Wrigley}}

[[Category:1780s introductions]]
[[Category:Breath mints]]
[[Category:British confectionery]]
[[Category:Mars confectionery brands]]
[[Category:Wrigley Company brands]]