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A woman shocked the internet by showing viewers how Olive Garden mints differ from store-bought mints by the same manufacturer.
On May 11th, Suzanne Rodriguez (@suzannerod5) compared the store-bought Andes mints to the mints they produce for Olive Garden in a viral TikTok that has amassed over 1 million views as of this writing.
“A lot of people in the comments were saying that these are the exact same,” she said about the two mints, “but they’re not.”
What’s the Difference Between Olive Garden Andes Mints and Store-Bought Ones?
The woman records herself unwrapping both mints, showing viewers exactly how they are different in a side-by-side comparison. “They have a different mint ratio,” she says.
In the video, she shows audiences that the Olive Garden mint appears half mint and half chocolate, with the top half of the mint appearing green.
However, when she unwraps the store-bought version, both sides of the mint are chocolate. In the middle, a much thinner layer of green-colored mint candy is sandwiched between them.
“That’s why these are so much better,” she says about the Olive Garden version of the mint. “You cannot find these in stores. It’s not even the same at all.”
“See how it’s double the amount of mint the other one has?” she asks viewers about the Olive Garden version. “Maybe even triple?”
Why Are The Two Andes Mints Different?
Rodriguez is correct in noticing the two candies are different, even though they come from the same manufacturer. The standard Andes Crème de Menthe mint sold in grocery stores features three layers: two chocolate layers surrounding a thinner mint layer. The version served at Olive Garden, however, is made exclusively for the restaurant chain with a different chocolate-to-mint ratio.
Instead of being chocolate-heavy, the Olive Garden candy contains a much thicker mint portion and a single chocolate layer. This gives the candy the half-mint, half-chocolate appearance highlighted in the viral video. While the flavor profile is very similar, the higher proportion of mint gives the restaurant version a noticeably stronger mint taste and a different texture when eaten.
The partnership between Andes and Olive Garden dates back to 1986. This collaboration began just two years after Olive Garden first opened its doors. Since then, diners have been receiving the custom-made after-dinner mints alongside their checks. The mint candy has now become one of the restaurant’s most recognizable traditions. According to Olive Garden, the mints serve as a small “thank you” to guests at the end of their meal.
The custom candies have sparked confusion for years because many customers assumed Olive Garden simply purchased the same Andes mints available at supermarkets and changed the wrapper. In reality, the candies are produced specifically for the chain and are not sold in retail stores.
AllHipHop reached out to Rodriguez for comment via TikTok direct message and comment and to Olive Garden and Andes via email. We will update this story if we receive a response.
@suzannerod5 Replying to @alyssabethsullivan @Olive Garden we need these in stores lol #olivegarden #andesmints ♬ original sound – Suzanne Rodriguez
