Don't try skating on this! (Wrigleys Extra Thin Ice)

Member Name: Fishbulb

Product:	Wrigleys Extra Thin Ice
Date:	07/02/03 (1688 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good Breath freshener, Same Flavour as a product already on the market, Quite novel (at least until everyone else has found them!)

Disadvantages: Really quite expensive, Not really as satisfying as gum/mints, Turn your mouth/teeth/tongue blue

I was just about to purchase a pack of my regular chewing gum Wrigley's Extra (Blue) as today my mouth feels like a camels flip-flop. I?ve (almost, nearly, completely) given up smoking a couple of weeks ago I've been chewing like a cow in a field of particularly tasty clover ever since. Frankly the last thing my little jaws could do with is more gum. But I'm lost without my ciggies and if I eat much more I'll be resigned to working from home wearing a muumuu (pronounced moo moo) and a fat-man hat* My mouth does so horrid and I really want chewing gum. Actually, that's a bit of a lie, what I really REALLY
want is a cigarette, but can't really have one and to be honest, even if I did, I'd probably want some gum for afterwards as they taste nasty!

*Reference to an episode of "The Simpsons" where Homer puts on a lot of weight to become clinically obese in an attempt to work from home. (Which may be a career option I'd like to consider anyway ;o))

Anyway, back to the opinion. While waiting in the queue in the shop I was about to grab a packet of....oh, I've done this bit...

I noticed this new display amongst the standard chewies and this
Strange little package caught my eye (not literally, but you know what I mean) It's a piece of card, measuring about 7.5cm squared (that's just under 3" to any of you who haven't got the hang of these new fangled measurements ;o)) and the packaging is similar to the standard Wrigley's Extra Blue. The Wrigley's logo in white, "Extra" in white and the words "Thin Ice" in blue and yellow. There's also a little banner in the corner in yellow and white telling me that this is a new product. The rest of the packaging is blue and looks a bit icy. It also tells us on the packaging that there's 24 pieces inside, but it was also the grand old price of 75p so fresh breath doesn't come cheap!

Th
ere's a clear piece of plastic on the front (with a convenient tab to pull it off) this houses the "breath strips" which are upon closer inspection in a small, sturdy, transparent plastic case. The case has the same logo on it as the cardboard packaging and through the case I can see the strips - they are a rather bright blue.

Now according to the packaging, "Each strip quickly and completely dissolves on your tongue instantly providing a great peppermint taste." We also find out from the packaging that they?re sugar-free and should be kept away from heat or humidity. So not really something you could keep in the car or really in your pocket like you could a standard packet of gum or mints.

When you open the plastic case (which could be a choking hazard so beware!) there's quite a pleasant smell - it's very subtle, and smells a lot more natural than standard gum. More like peppermint herbal tea than peppermint sweets.

The strips come out quite easily although I managed to tear mine on the packaging and purely from a tester's point of view I tried to fold it in half and it snapped. They not only look like cellophane, they feel like it too - aside from the snapping bit I'd challenge you to tell the difference.

OK, now to taste - well, I've just popped one onto my tongue (albeit in bits) and watched it in the mirror (yes I know I'm sad) I must say, it?s a weird feeling - the breath strip curled a bit like those fortune telling fish you get in cheap Christmas crackers then my mouth really started to water.

The peppermint flavour is slow to come at first, but then develops into quite a pungent taste. Being a sugar-free product it is incredibly sweet. I also found the sensation of it on my tongue a bit weird and was unable to talk (perhaps this is a good thing - well, for Mr Fish anyway) also, somewhat unsurprisingly, it turned my tongue smurf-blue.

Up until that po
int I would probably have suggested that they would be ideal for consumption prior to job interviews, meetings etc. But walking around looking like you've just eaten a raspberry slush-puppy (or indeed a smurf) is somehow not a look I'd advocate for professional encounters.

After trying a second one an hour or so later I noted that placing it further back on my tongue and not on the tip the flavour was a little more bearable. I should probably also point out that although after use my breath is minty-fresh, the actual consumption of the product isn't too nice. It makes your tongue feel all furry, claggy and a bit warm while it's dissolving. It's only afterwards that your mouth feels clean.

I must say though that for a brief period, your mouth is extremely fresh, but perhaps not as fresh as it feels after chewing Wrigley's Extra Blue (which is the same flavour)

I've now seen the advert for this on the television. A Guy goes to meet his girlfriend's parents, and pops one in his mouth. Instead of a handshake, the father offers a bizarre dance including sticking his tongue out. The boyfriend copies and his mouth is empty. All I have to say to this is "Pah". They must have filmed it in a couple of shots, because there's no way on God's green Earth he could have made it dissolve so quickly - I tried and ended up with blue gunk on my teeth!

On the website (http://www.wrigleys.com) there are adverts for the different flavours of this product, but they've only just been released in the US, so expect to see "Winter Ice" & "Spearmint" flavours here soon.

For novelty value, these things are top-notch, and I'm sure would make an adequate substitute for a breath-spray should that pickle your cucumber. If however, like me, you prefer the more traditional breath freshener of sweeties, then stick with them!

(I am smoking again by the way, but inte
nd to give up again soon, if anyone has any (sensible) advice, I'll gladly listen!)

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