Allow me to go ahead and answer your first question: What is the difference between Mentos Rainbow and Mentos Fruit? The newer product, Mentos Rainbow, features seven flavors, five of which are distinct from the original fruit flavors: pineapple, raspberry, apple, watermelon, grape and the old school orange and strawberry. Mentos fruit keeps it simple with the trio of flavors: strawberry, orange and lemon. Either way, you’ll find 14 pieces of fruity chew balls in each package.
My favorite Mentos flavor has always been the pink strawberry. I used to buy rolls of Mentos, pick out all of the pink ones and give the rest to my brothers.
Most people are probably more familiar with the minty version of Mentos. Pierre Van Melle conceived the idea of the Mentos in the Netherlands in 1932. In 1973 new flavors were introduced, cinnamon to the U.S. and fruit flavors to Europe. (I would love to try cinnamon Mentos! Where did that brilliant idea go?) In 1990, the Freshmaker campaign took sales of Mentos on a soaring current of success.
Regardless of which flavor is the best, flavor isn’t even half the fun of the Mentos experience! What makes a Mentos a Mentos is the “secret” structure. Chewy center. Crunchy layer. Fresh coating. Could it be better balanced?!
Mentos are considered dragée candies, which means that they have a hard outer shell. Another example of a dragée candy is the Jordan Almond (see the blog here: http://www.candyfavorites.com/blog/jordan-almond-i-now-pronounce-you-man-and-wife/). Break through the shell into the soft chewy center and let the Mentos dragée take its time and run its course.
“I like Mentos, but I don’t like what they break down to.”
“You don’t like the chew?”
“No, I just don’t like that it’s still in my teeth.”
Sources:
http://www.mentos.com/
