How to Dissolve Candy Mints

Candy canes are a popular type of peppermint mint.

Candy mints come in a number of variety, both hard and soft. Hard mints are typically intended to be used as a breath freshener and come in varieties like Altoids, Life Savers or Tic Tacs. Soft mints, also referred to as after-dinner mints or butter mints, have a high butter content. While hard mints take several minutes to dissolve, soft minutes dissolve instantly.Mints need an acidic liquid, like saliva, to thoroughly dissolve. Consider trying different substances for your own edification, or for a school project.

Things You'll Need

• 1/2 cup acidic liquid, such as Coca-Cola, alcohol
• 1/2 cup of water with 1 to 2 tbsp. vinegar, lime juice or lemon juice
• Mint, hard or soft
• Clear container, such as a bowl, measuring cup or glass

Instructions

1. Pour 1/2 cup of acidic liquid into the clear container. The acidic liquid will dissolve the mint more quickly than plain water, and the clear container will allow you to watch the mint dissolve.

2. Remove the mint from its container and wrapping. Hard mints will usually be wrapped in a cellophane wrapper, though they may also come in a paper wrapper or a tin. Soft mints are usually contained in a bag or a box.

3. Drop the mint into the container containing the liquid. Watch the mint as it dissolves in the liquid. Watch how the liquid affects the mint--different liquids will react differently with different mints. Some mints might bubble slightly while they dissolve, while some mints may fizz. If desired, you can also dissolve the mint in your mouth, using your saliva to dissolve the mint.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider timing how long it takes different mints to dissolve in different liquids, and writing this information down.

• Consider trying different mints with different liquids, comparing and contrasting how the mints dissolve differently in different liquids.

• Try other liquids, like orange juice, cranberry juice, different vinegars or different types of sodas.

References

• Baking 911: The Official Candy Chart
• Magic with Science; Walter B. Gibson;1968.