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Mentos
Mentos boxes
Product typeScotch mints
OwnerPerfetti Van Melle
CountryNetherlands
Introduced1932; 94 years ago (1932)
MarketsWorldwide
Previous ownersVan Melle NV
Tagline"Can't Say No To Mentos"
Websitewww.mentos.com

Mentos are a brand of packaged scotch mints or mint-flavored candies owned by the Italian-Dutch company, Perfetti Van Melle. First produced in 1932, they are currently sold in more than 130 countries worldwide.[1] The mints are small oblate spheroids, with a slightly hard exterior and a soft, chewy interior. They are sold in many stores and vending machines.

They are typically sold in rolls which contain 14 mint discs, although the "Sour Mix" variety contains only 11 discs per roll. Smaller versions also exist, which typically contain 4 to 6 discs per roll. Certain flavors are sold in boxes in Australia, the United States, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brazil and the United Kingdom. The current slogan of Mentos is "Stay Fresh",[2] while the line previously used extensively in the 1980s and 1990s was "The Freshmaker". Some Mentos packages describe the mints as "chewy dragées". The typical Mentos roll is approximately 2 cm (0.79 in) in diameter and weighs 38 grams (1.3 oz). "Mentos" is the singular form.[3]

Ingredients

[edit]

Mint-flavored Mentos contain sugar, wheat glucose syrup, hydrogenated coconut oil, rice starch, natural flavors, gum arabic, sucrose esters of fatty acids, gellan gum, carnauba wax, and beeswax.[4] Fruit-flavored Mentos contain sugar, wheat glucose syrup, hydrogenated coconut oil, citric acid, fruit juices from concentrate (strawberry, orange, lemon) (1%), rice starch, gum arabic, natural flavors, sucrose esters of fatty acids, gellan gum, carnauba wax, colors (beta-carotene, beetroot red), and beeswax.[5] The formulation can vary based on country of manufacture.[6]

Flavors

[edit]

Mentos are available in several flavors including mint, mixed fruit, cola, bubble gum, and in an assortment of orange, strawberry, and lemon. New flavors were initially test-marketed in the Netherlands and throughout Europe; however, most of the flavors have been available worldwide recently.

Other flavors include green apple, cinnamon, strawberry, mixed fruit (which contains a mix of cherry, strawberry, orange, and lemon flavors), grape, wintergreen, grapefruit, peach, plum, spearmint, strawberry yogurt, lemon yogurt, pineapple (pine fresh), red apple, currant and two versions of black licorice-flavored Mentos. Two varieties of the mint flavor, known as "Mentos Strong" and "Air action Mentos" are sold in the Netherlands. Also available in the Netherlands is the Special Mix 4 pack, containing the flavors mint, fruit, berry mix, strawberry, banana, cherry, and mango orange. Two varieties of the mint flavor are also sold in China, known as "Mint" and "Strong Mint". Grape and 'N Cream (presumably Apples and Cream), Strawberry 'N Cream, and Banana 'N Cream are also marketed in Asia. Chocolate Mentos was produced in 1989, but the flavor was discontinued. The chocolate variant is still available in some Asian countries. In 2006, the citrus mango flavor was introduced to the Japanese market. In the Philippines, a "Dalandan Fresh" variant is available. Other varieties of Mentos include: Mentos Sours, which recently became available in the United States, featuring Watermelon, Green Apple, and Lemon flavors; caffeinated "Energy" Mentos, sold mainly in Germany, where one roll equals the amount of caffeine in two cups of coffee; "Fresh Cola"-flavored Mentos released in New Zealand, Australia and parts of Europe and Asia; and "AIR Mentos" containing menthol, which are sold primarily in Belgium and the Netherlands. In India, the major flavors available are mint, lemon, strawberry, orange, watermelon and cola.

Mentos also make chewing gum, available in various flavors. It is available in Germany, Australia, Greece, China, Canada, Brazil, Turkey, the Netherlands, Poland, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and recently, the United States in blisters and bottles, both in three different flavors. In the Netherlands, Mentos Gum is sold in blisters and bottles in six different varieties: Pure (four flavors), Fruit (four flavors), Regular (five flavors), Bubblegum, Cubes (four flavors) and White (three flavors).

Mentos Sugar Free

In August 2005, the variety of the mint which comes in "mixed berries" and "cool mint" flavors was changed to be sweetened with sucralose. In the Netherlands the flavors mint, licorice and fruit are also available in the sugar-free variety.

Australian varieties of Mentos are Fruit, Rainbow, Mint, Spearmint, Soft Drink and Smoothies.

The UK has five current flavors of rolls:

  • Fruit (Orange, Lemon and Strawberry)
  • Mint
  • Rainbow (with 2 dragees each of: Strawberry, Apple, Raspberry, Orange, Watermelon, Blueberry and Pink Grapefruit (the last two were new flavors for 2015, replacing Grape and Pineapple).
  • Spearmint
  • Discovery (with 14 different flavours: Passionfruit, Lychee, Blackcurrant, Blueberry, Lime, Strawberry, Raspberry, Orange, Lemon, Watermelon, Banana, Grape, Cherry and Pineapple; always appearing in that order).
  • Tutti-Frutti - bubblegum flavored - new for 2012.
  • Fanta flavour (orange flavoured but a stronger more juicy flavour than standard orange)

In the UK, Mentos Gum is also available in stick packs (peppermint, spearmint, pure white, air action (menthol) and fruit), Bottles (spearmint, peppermint and red fruit - which retails for approximately £0.99), as well as flip top boxes. Flavors include peppermint or spearmint with green tea extract, and a pure white with white tea extract. Sugar free versions are available, but these are rarer to find, usually only found in large supermarkets. Mentos gum holds a 4% market share of the UK gum market. A new Mentos 3 was launched in January 2011, in two flavors - mint and Strawberry/Apple/Raspberry, which are similar to Wrigleys' 5 in packaging. A new blackberry/kiwi/strawberry version was released into the UK market in January 2012.

In Greece, Mentos are very popular, and are available in the following flavors:

  • Mint
  • Strawberry
  • Melon
  • Watermelon
  • Fruit (Orange, lemon and strawberry)
  • Energy (each roll is equivalent to 2 cups of coffee)
  • Mentos gum in Bottles
  • Mentos Cube
  • Mentos in Boxes (mint and Fruit).
Cinnamon Mentos

Mini Mentos, somewhat smaller than ordinary Mentos, are available in the Netherlands in two varieties: Mini Mentos Fruitmix, which contains the flavors orange, lemon, strawberry and apple, and Mini Mentos Yoghurt, with the flavors strawberry yogurt, raspberry yogurt and blueberry yogurt. Also sold is Mentos KIDZ, a bag with 12 boxes containing 10 miniature candies, in the flavors strawberry, orange, lemon, apple and blueberry.

"Mentos Teens" is available in Brazil and the rest of Latin America. They come in a rectangular box. The mint is basically miniature Mentos roughly the size of Skittles, and they come in mixed flavors: white grape (green), lemon (yellow), strawberry (pink), orange (orange), raspberry (blue), and cherry (red).

During the 2014 FIFA World Cup, a Brazilian team Mentos was released in Brazil to support the national team. The mint was green apple and orange flavors.

In some countries, the Mentos Ice candy can be bought in flavors such as, cherry (red), green apple (green) and grape (purple).

Ume, Fuji apple, and Pine Fresh (pineapple) Mentos are sold exclusively in Japan.

Flavors only available in certain countries; Enigma (Czech Republic) Rainbow (UK and US) Ume (Japan) Fuji Apple (Japan) Pine Fresh (Japan) Ice (Canada)[citation needed]

Marketing

[edit]
Mentos Vending Machine in South Korea

Part of Mentos's popularity in the US and Canada can be attributed to its campy TV commercials and catchy jingle, which debuted in late 1991 and were used well into 2001 on American and Canadian television.[citation needed] Individuals facing various day-to-day dilemmas consume Mentos and are subsequently inspired to solve their problems at hand in a creative, often-humorous fashion. For example, a job interviewee sits on a freshly painted bench, staining his suit, and then solves the problem by rolling around on the bench until his suit has pinstripes. Another features a woman whose parked car is boxed in; she calls a crew of construction workers over who lift her car onto the road for her. These unusual behaviors are typically witnessed by nearby, sometimes antagonistic characters, and a roll of Mentos is boisterously displayed by the commercial's respective protagonist to the observer as an explanation for their actions.

The ad campaign was parodied in multiple television shows and music videos, including the Foo Fighters' "Big Me".[7]

Reaction with carbonated beverages

[edit]
A Diet Coke bottle, shortly after Mentos were dropped into it
Main article: Soda geyser

First publicly demonstrated by chemistry teacher Lee Marek on the Late Show with David Letterman on September 14, 1999,[8] and later popularized in a June 2006[9] viral Internet video by Eepybird, a Mentos mint expedites a rapid release of carbon dioxide when dropped into a carbonated liquid, such as a soft drink. MythBusters concluded that the potassium benzoate, aspartame, and CO2 gas contained in the Diet Coke, in combination with the gelatin and gum arabic ingredients of the Mentos, all contribute to the formation of the foam.[10] However, kinetic experiments with various candies have shown that the presence of gelatin and gum arabic in candies does not enhance the fountain.[11] Rather, it is the physical structure of candies that conveys the fountain effect.

The structure of the Mentos is the most significant cause of the eruption due to nucleation. MythBusters reported that when fruit-flavored Mentos with a smooth waxy coating were tested in carbonated drink there was hardly a reaction, whereas mint-flavored Mentos (with no such coating) added to carbonated drink formed an energetic eruption, supporting the nucleation-site theory. According to MythBusters, the surface of the mint Mentos is covered with many small holes that increase the surface area available for reaction (and thus the quantity of reagents exposed to each other at any given time), thereby allowing CO2 bubbles to form with the rapidity and quantity necessary for the "jet"-, "geyser"-, or "eruption"-like nature of the effusion.[12]

This hypothesis gained further support when rock salt was used as a "jump start" to the reaction. A paper by Tonya Coffey, a physicist at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina, confirmed that the rough surface of the Mentos candy helps speed the reaction. Coffey also found that the aspartame in diet soda lowers the surface tension and causes a bigger reaction, but that caffeine does not accelerate the reaction.[13][14] On the other hand, it has been shown that a wide variety of beverage additives such as sugars, citric acid, and natural flavors also enhance fountain heights. In some cases, dissolved solids that increase the surface tension of water (such as sugars) also increase fountain heights.[15] These results suggest that additives serve to enhance geyser heights not by decreasing surface tension, but rather by decreasing bubble coalescence. Decreased bubble coalescence leads to smaller bubble sizes and greater foaming ability in water.[16]

A Guinness World Record of 2,865 simultaneous geysers was set on 17 October 2010, in an event organized by Perfetti Van Melle (Philippines) at the SM Mall of Asia Complex, in Manila, Philippines.[17][18] This record was afterwards beaten in November 2014 by another event organized by Perfetti Van Melle and Chupa Chups in Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico where 4,334 Mentos and soda fountains were set off simultaneously.[19]

The resulting geyser can shoot as high as 6 m (20 ft). The unofficial record, reached in MythBusters, was over 34 ft (10 m) with the use of a nozzle.[20]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Mentos

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Mentos is a popular brand of chewy mint and fruit-flavored candies, characterized by their distinctive round shape, hard outer coating, and soft, chewy interior, typically sold in rolls containing 14 pieces each. Owned by the Italian-Dutch confectionery company , the brand originated in 1932 when brothers Michael and Pierre van Melle, inspired during a train journey to , developed the original peppermint-flavored version as a caramel-like treat in the . The candies are made primarily from sugar, (often from ), hydrogenated , , and natural flavors, with variations depending on the flavor such as mint or mixes including , orange, and . Available in a wide range of flavors beyond the classic mint—such as assortments, , and even sugar-free options—Mentos expanded into in 2005, further diversifying the product line. Mentos gained international prominence starting in the with exports to countries like , , and the , and by the , it adopted its iconic roll packaging; the 1990 "Freshmaker" advertising campaign significantly boosted global sales. In 2001, the original Van Melle company merged with Perfetti to form , elevating Mentos to availability in over 100 countries by 2004 and establishing it as one of the world's leading chewy candy brands. A particularly notable aspect of Mentos is its role in a famous physical reaction when dropped into carbonated diet sodas like , producing a dramatic of foam due to rapid bubble formation on the candy's rough surface, which acts as sites and is enhanced by the soda's low from . This phenomenon, first popularized in viral videos around 2005, has been studied in scientific contexts to illustrate principles of , , and , though it is a physical rather than .

History and Development

Origins and Brand Launch

Mentos was invented in 1932 by brothers Michael and Pierre van Melle, who conceived the idea for a peppermint-flavored candy during a train ride to . The Van Melle company, founded in 1900 in Breskens, , developed this product as a chewable tablet, marking an early innovation in creating a soft, chewy texture for mint candies that set it apart from traditional hard mints. Production of Mentos was relocated to in 1950 after the company's facilities were rebuilt following destruction. The candy was named Mentos from its inception, reflecting its peppermint essence, and was initially produced as individual pieces before being packaged in convenient rolls starting in 1960. This packaging format contributed to its rapid popularity in the and facilitated early expansion across during the 1960s, as demand grew for the fresh, chewy mint alternative. Mentos made its international debut beyond with the first U.S. launch in , introducing the chewy mint rolls to American markets through initial exports and establishing a sales office in 1975. By this time, the product's distinctive texture and flavor had solidified its appeal, paving the way for broader global distribution.

Manufacturing and Company Ownership

Mentos is produced by , a multinational company formed in 2001 through the acquisition of the Dutch firm Van Melle by the Italian company Perfetti SpA, creating one of the world's largest groups at the time. This merger built on a prior strategic relationship, including Perfetti's purchase of a 37 percent stake in Van Melle in 1991, which facilitated shared marketing and distribution efforts across . Headquartered in Lainate, , Perfetti Van Melle operates factories worldwide to support global production and distribution of its brands, including Mentos. Key manufacturing sites for Mentos include facilities in the , such as those in , , and , where production and packaging occur; in ; and in at the plant operated by India Pvt. Ltd. Additional production capacity exists in the United States, with expansion at the facility to include new lines for Mentos and related products. These sites collectively enable an annual output exceeding 2 billion rolls of Mentos sold worldwide. Production techniques for Mentos have evolved significantly to enhance efficiency and product consistency, with modern facilities employing fully automated processes for forming, , and the chewy mints. These advancements, including automated rolling of the sugar shells and precise applications, allow for high-volume output while maintaining uniform texture and flavor distribution across batches. maintains rigorous standards across its operations, adhering to international food safety regulations such as FSSC 22000, which is recognized by the (GFSI) and incorporates principles of and critical control points (HACCP). This includes regular internal and external audits, supplier certifications, and risk-based assessments to ensure product safety and compliance in every stage of Mentos .

Product Composition

Ingredients and Nutritional Profile

Mentos chewy mints are primarily composed of , wheat , hydrogenated , rice starch or , natural and artificial flavors, , and sucrose esters of fatty acids, which contribute to the product's chewy texture and smooth coating. Gelling agents such as and thickeners like gum are incorporated to maintain structural integrity, while glazing agents including provide a glossy finish. These components ensure the mints' characteristic hardness on the outside and softness within, without relying on traditional . Nutritionally, a standard serving of one Mentos chewy mint piece (approximately 3 g) delivers about 10-15 calories, derived almost entirely from carbohydrates—specifically 3 g total, with 2 g as sugars and the remainder from starches. , protein, sodium, and content are negligible at 0 g each, making the product a low-nutrient confection focused on flavor rather than sustenance. Trace elements from flavorings may include minimal vitamins, but they do not contribute significantly to daily intake. Sugar-free variants substitute with polyols such as , , and , alongside artificial sweeteners like and , to replicate sweetness while reducing caloric impact to about 5-6 calories per piece, mainly from sorbitol which provides about half the calories of sugar (2.6 kcal/g versus 4 kcal/g for sucrose) and has less impact on blood sugar levels. These options also feature hydrogenated oils and starches for texture, with similar negligible macronutrients but potential digestive considerations from sugar alcohols. Allergen information highlights the presence of soy-derived as an emulsifier in many formulations, requiring caution for those with soy allergies. Formulations adhere to regulatory standards, including FDA requirements in the United States for clear listing of additives like hydrogenated oils and artificial sweeteners, and EU directives mandating warnings on excessive sugar consumption and phenylalanine content in aspartame for sugar-free products. Packaging includes nutritional panels and allergen declarations to ensure consumer awareness of high sugar levels in standard versions, promoting informed dietary choices.
Nutrient (per piece, ~3 g)Standard VersionSugar-Free Version
Calories10-155-6
Total Carbohydrates3 g2 g (sugar alcohols)
Sugars2 g0 g
Fat0 g0 g
Protein0 g0 g

Flavors and Product Varieties

Mentos originally launched as a peppermint-flavored chewy candy in 1932, featuring a white mint variety that remains a core offering today. In the 1960s, the product line expanded to include the classic fruit mix in multi-colored form, combining strawberry, orange, and lemon flavors, alongside cinnamon as an additional staple. Over time, Mentos has grown to encompass more than 20 flavors available worldwide, catering to diverse preferences with options such as , , , , and green apple. Unique varieties like strawberry yogurt appear in select markets, including , providing a creamy, tangy twist on traditional profiles. Sour options, exemplified by sour apple or green apple with a tart edge, add intensity for those seeking bolder tastes. Regional exclusives further diversify the lineup, such as citrus mango introduced in in 2006. Product formats vary to suit different occasions, with the standard roll containing 14 pieces serving as the iconic packaging since the brand's early days. Additional varieties include mini rolls for portability, larger bottles primarily for gum lines, and innovative cube-shaped formats for recent sugar-free gum releases. Collaborations extend to functional products like mints with added vitamins and gum variants infused with extract. The evolution of flavors and formats reflects ongoing innovation, with sugar-free options emerging in 2005 to address dietary needs, followed by zero-sugar lines in the that maintain the chewy texture through alternative sweeteners. These developments, including the 2024 introduction of the 14-flavor Discovery Roll featuring passion fruit, , and among others, and the 2025 launch of cube-shaped sugar-free soft gum, continue to broaden accessibility across global markets.

Scientific Phenomena

The Mentos and Carbonated Beverage Reaction

The Mentos and carbonated beverage reaction, popularly known as the , occurs when Mentos candies are dropped into a bottle of carbonated soda, triggering a rapid release of dissolved gas that propels a fountain of from the container. This physical phenomenon produces eruptions that can reach heights of up to approximately 6 meters under optimal conditions, such as using fresh Mentos and a diet variety of soda. The effect was first noted in educational settings during the late , when science teachers experimented with Mentos as a substitute for other candies in carbonated drinks to demonstrate gas release. To replicate the reaction, begin with a 2-liter bottle of diet soda, such as Diet Coke, at room temperature, which produces taller eruptions compared to chilled soda due to lower viscosity allowing faster bubble formation, despite lower CO2 solubility. Prepare 7 to 10 fresh Mentos candies by loading them into a narrow tube or paper cartridge taped together to allow simultaneous release, which maximizes the nucleation sites for bubble formation. Place the open bottle on a flat surface outdoors, position the tube over the mouth of the bottle with a card or index card as a barrier, then quickly remove the barrier to drop the Mentos in and step back immediately. Diet Coke performs optimally due to its aspartame sweetener, which lowers surface tension and facilitates easier bubble formation compared to regular sugary sodas. Fresh Mentos yield stronger eruptions, as their rough, uncoated surfaces provide more effective sites for rapid gas release. The reaction gained widespread popularity through viral videos in the mid-2000s, starting with science educator Steve Spangler's 2005 television demonstration that spread online after YouTube's launch. In 2006, EepyBird's "Extreme Diet Coke & Mentos Experiments" video, featuring synchronized eruptions from over 100 bottles, amassed millions of views and inspired global recreations. These videos fueled attempts for the number of simultaneous geysers, though lab measurements have reached up to 5.43 meters (17.8 feet) with and fruit Mentos, as reported in a study. For safety, perform the demonstration outdoors in an open area at least 2 meters from structures or people to prevent messes, slips on sprayed soda, or injury from the forceful spray; always wear and avoid enclosed spaces where buildup could occur.

Underlying Chemical and Physical Principles

The Mentos and carbonated beverage reaction is driven by rapid heterogeneous , where the 's textured surface serves as numerous sites for (CO₂) bubbles to form and grow explosively. The surface of a Mentos features microscopic pits and roughness, with root-mean-square roughness values around 440 nm, primarily arising from its outer coating composed of (a acting as a ) and , which create irregular cavities during manufacturing. These nucleation sites disrupt the supersaturated solution of dissolved CO₂ in the beverage, allowing gas molecules to aggregate and form bubbles much faster than in undisturbed soda. The 's dense composition (approximately 1.3 g/cm³) enables it to sink quickly, further accelerating bubble formation as it moves through the liquid, while trace hydrophobic elements in the coating help trap initial gas pockets in the pits, amplifying the release. Chemically, the reaction hinges on the equilibrium between gaseous and dissolved CO₂ in the beverage, governed by : CO2(g)⇌CO2(aq)\mathrm{CO_2(g) \rightleftharpoons CO_2(aq)} Mentos introduction perturbs this equilibrium by providing low-energy sites for bubble initiation, reducing the energy barrier for . Diet sodas exhibit more vigorous eruptions because ingredients like and function as , lowering the liquid's below that of (about 72 mN/m), which decreases the work required for bubble formation and allows smaller, more numerous bubbles to escape. In contrast, the high content in regular sodas increases viscosity and , resulting in larger bubbles and shorter geysers. on the Mentos further aids by coating the candy and enhancing effects at the interface. Physically, the explosive jet arises from rapid depressurization as CO₂ bubbles expand and displace the liquid, creating a high-velocity fountain described by , which relates , velocity, and height in fluid flow: faster bubble-induced flow reduces local , accelerating the upward ejection (e.g., exit velocities up to 10-15 m/s yielding heights of several meters). This effect is superior with Mentos compared to other nucleators like rock salt or , as the candy's optimal density, texture, and surfactant release produce denser bubble columns and sustained release without dissolving quickly; for instance, rock salt generates similar but shorter eruptions due to lower roughness and solubility differences. Research has quantified these dynamics, with studies showing hundreds of thousands to millions of bubbles per second across the candy's 50,000-300,000 sites, driving mass losses of up to 1.4 kg from a 2 L bottle in seconds. Activation energies for CO₂ degassing are low (around 25 kJ/mol), confirming the physical rather than chemical dominance of the process. These insights stem from high-speed imaging and sensor measurements in controlled experiments.

Marketing and Cultural Impact

Advertising Campaigns and Slogans

Mentos advertising has evolved from modest print promotions emphasizing its peppermint flavor for fresh breath to bold, humorous global television campaigns that solidified the brand's identity. In the mid-20th century, following its 1932 launch in the by Van Melle, early marketing efforts highlighted the candy's role in providing refreshing breath. The brand's breakthrough came in the with an iconic international television campaign launched in by the Hamburg-based agency Pahnke & Partners. These 30-second spots depicted ordinary people in awkward or frustrating social situations—such as a broken or a spilled drink—resolved instantly by popping a Mentos, accompanied by a thumbs-up gesture and the upbeat "Fresh goes better with Mentos freshness." The campaign culminated in the "Mentos, the freshmaker," which aired on networks like and , driving U.S. sales from $20 million in to $120 million by 1996. In 2008, Mentos introduced the "It's Mouthwatering" campaign for Mentos Pure Gum in the United States, developed by the agency BBH London. A key element was the 15-second television spot "Water Cooler," which highlighted the gum's intense fruity juiciness through suggestive humor. The advertisement depicts an office worker chewing Mentos Pure Gum near a water cooler; a female colleague approaches for a drink but instead bends down to passionately kiss him, accompanied by exaggerated juicy and slurping sounds as she "quenches her thirst" from the gum's flavor. Entering the digital era after 2010, Mentos shifted toward integrations to engage younger audiences, leveraging platforms like and for interactive content. Campaigns encouraged user-generated reaction videos inspired by the Mentos and carbonated beverage effect, while influencer tie-ins amplified reach through viral challenges. In 2025, the brand revived the "Freshmaker" jingle in nostalgic spots featuring modern mishaps, blending humor with Gen Z trends to connect generations. Mentos has also pursued sponsorships and product placements to extend its promotional footprint. Notable partnerships include activations at music events, such as the 2025 Enrique Iglesias concert in Mumbai, where interactive "Popstar Cam" experiences engaged over 30,000 fans, and the role as freshness partner for the Social Nation Festival 2025 with immersive ice tunnel exhibits. Earlier, in 1994, the candy appeared in product placements on shows like Baywatch and MTV programming to reinforce its cool, problem-solving image.

Global Popularity and Media References

Mentos, produced by , is distributed in more than 150 countries worldwide, with particularly strong market presence in and due to the company's origins in the and . The brand has become a through its association with viral experiments, often featured in pranks and DIY kits that demonstrate the dramatic reaction with carbonated beverages. Commercial science kits, such as the Tube, include Mentos candies and specialized launchers to safely replicate these eruptions, making them popular for educational and recreational use. In media, Mentos gained widespread attention in the 2007 episode of MythBusters titled "Grenades and Guts," where the hosts tested whether consuming Mentos with could cause a explosion, confirming it as a myth but highlighting the reaction's explosive potential. Regionally, Mentos enjoys significant popularity in , bolstered by endorsement campaigns featuring Bollywood actors like Abhay Verma in the 2024 "Yes To Fresh" initiative, which emphasizes the candy's refreshing appeal in everyday scenarios. In the United States, the product is commonly incorporated into fairs and STEM activities, where students explore the Mentos-soda as a hands-on demonstration of physical reactions, as seen in resources from organizations like Science Buddies. During the , Mentos faced broader scrutiny in health campaigns alongside other confections, with concerns raised about high sugar content and additives like in candies, prompting calls for reduced consumption among children. Mentos also appeals to collectors through limited-edition packaging, such as the 2018 Watermelon flavor variant in and promotional "Say Hello" fruit chews with designs, which have fostered enthusiast interest. Fan communities have emerged around the brand, with official engagement on platforms like encouraging creative sharing of experiences and experiments.

References

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  42. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26061691
  43. http://scienceline.ucsb.edu/getkey.php?key=2670
  44. https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/mentos-solidified-its-place-in-pop-culture-with-cheesy-commercials-and-weird-science/
  45. https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/93131/candy-crush-bizarre-history-those-90s-mentos-commercials
  46. https://adage.com/article/news/mentos-cool-advertising-freshens-older-brand/89919/
  47. https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/mentos-gum-bursts-us-95903/
  48. https://www.campaignlive.com/article/mentos-jingle-back-serving-nostalgia-tiktok-world/1917024
  49. https://mediabrief.com/mentos-brings-freshness-and-fun-to-enrique-iglesias-mumbai-concert-with-popstar-cam-activation/
  50. https://www.socialnationnow.com/introducing-mentos-as-the-freshness-partner-of-vivo-v50e-social-nation-2025
  51. https://www.perfettivanmelle.com/our-brands/overview/
  52. https://www.licenseglobal.com/fashion/perfetti-van-melle-s-mentos-struts-the-catwalk-with-philip-colbert
  53. https://www.stevespanglerscience.com/store/geyser-tube-fountain-fan-run.html
  54. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1049275/plotsummary/
  55. https://mediabrief.com/mentos-yes-to-fresh-campaign/
  56. https://www.sciencebuddies.org/stem-activities/diet-coke-mentos
  57. https://www.confectionerynews.com/Article/2012/03/07/Children-highly-exposed-to-possible-carcinogen-found-in-sweets/
  58. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/mentos-watermelon-limited-edition--783837510120363212/
  59. https://www.candyfavorites.com/products/mentos-say-hello-fruit-chews
  60. https://www.facebook.com/MentosUSA/
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