There’s a reason these candies aren’t called senior mints, and it’s because they need to keep maturing. Despite being launched in 1949, this candy seems too bold for our modern candy world– with its abrasive mint cream and minimal amount of chocolate, it lacks the balance in its flavors to be a valued treat.

 It’s comparable to a york peppermint  patty, but what the york boasts (a dark chocolate shell) junior mints severely lack (they have a semi sweet shell). This seemingly innocuous difference has a devastating consequence, and the junior mints flavor pays the price. The overwhelming mint makes the chocolate unnoticeable, leaving your mouth drowning in what resembles an off brand shamrock shake akin flavor.  

On the first bite into the nickel sized candy, I was entirely thrown off by the odd texture. It felt as though I had bit into a squishy stress ball and it had popped in my mouth. The taste hit me like a Mack truck– if you’ve ever drank cold water while chewing spearmint gum then you’ve basically eaten a junior mint. 

This candy is not for the meek, it is not for those looking for a simplistic M&M, or the reliable Snickers, nor even a Reese’s is comparable to this treat. If you’re looking for a sweet minty dessert, stop by Fannie Mae and get a box of mint meltaways. But junior mints are packed with a heavy punch, eat them if you dare.