Altoids®
“Curiously Strong Mints®“
Introduced in 1780, Altoids mints were originally marketed to relieve stomach discomfort. By the 1920s, the original cardboard box had been replaced by the more durable distinctive metal tins of today. The irreverent, quirky personality of Altoids mints has led Altoids to be a top-selling mint in the U.S. The Altoids brand has expanded to include sugar-free mints in miniature portable tins.
Altoids Facts and History
Learn more about the history of Altoids and the introduction of each of the Altoids flavors and Altoids facts.
- 1780Smith Kendon, founder of Smith & Co., developed an exceptionally strong lozenge known as Altoids® mints, originally marketed to relieve intestinal discomfort, let alone a remedy for bad breath.
- 1918Sold first in Europe, Americans could now buy Altoids® mints in 1918.
- The 1920sAds touted that Altoids® mints can act as an antidote to poisons in the stomach. This campaign started The Curiously Strong Mints® branding.
- 1997Wintergreen Altoids® mints are introduced.
- 2001Love Altoids® Tins, the popular Valentine’s Day edition, became available.
- 2003Altoids® Breath strips introduced; December 2003 Altoids® sugar-free gum is introduced.
- 2007Dark Chocolate Dipped Mints debut combining the flavor of Altoids® with a rich, dark chocolate; Dark Chocolate Dipped Mints were
- also made available in a 4 oz. carton, the first non-tin product for Altoids® since the 1920s.
- 2009Altoids Cool Honey™ mints are introduced in October.
- 2010Altoids® Smalls® in their curiously small Altoids® tins, introduces Simply Mint in March.
- 2011Altoids® Smalls® releases Nordic Mint.
- 2012Altoids® Smalls® Peppermint is now available in 3-pack.
- 2014Altoids® Arctic – Curiously Cool Mints are introduced.
- TodayToday, Altoids Peppermint is the No. 1 mint in the U.S.