Mints (candy)

Mints are usually hard or brittle candy, characterized by the presence of mint flavoring, whether it be peppermint oil, spearmint oil, or an artificial substitute. They are popular as an after-meal breath freshener, since the smell of mint oil is quite strong and feels clean and cool to the mouth. Dinner mints, also called butter mints, are softer candies with a higher butter content that melt in one's mouth. Candy canes are a type of mint particular to Christmas, or more generally the holiday season, with a distinctive shepherd's crook shape. Some mints include Mentos and Altoids.