Garoto Hortelã

Garoto Hortelã is an Extra Strong Mint Lozenge produced by the Brazilian brand Garoto. It is described as a pressed mixture of sugar, gelatine, and menthol.

The product was launched in 1934, the same year the company's founder, Henrique Meyerfreund, received an inheritance from his parents and used the funds to purchase machines for chocolate production. This marked a significant expansion for the company, which had previously focused primarily on fruit-filled candies.

The Garoto brand itself was founded on August 16, 1929, when Meyerfreund established the H. Meyerfreund & Cia candy factory in Vila Velha, Espírito Santo. The initial candies, known as "balas" in Brazil, were sold by children on wooden trays at tram stops in Vila Velha. This practice led consumers to nickname the candies "balas de los garotos" (candies of the boys), which eventually became the company's name.

Following the launch of Garoto Hortelã, the company continued to grow. In 1936, Meyerfreund secured financing to build a more modern factory in the Glória neighborhood, where the company's industrial park remains located today. In 1938, Günther Zennig joined the partnership, bringing capital and a new business vision that further modernized the company's production and commercial structure.

Garoto Hortelã became one of the company's most successful products, alongside its chocolate lines such as Baton, Talento, and Serenata de Amor. In 2002, the Garoto brand was acquired by Nestlé for 250 million reais. Today, Garoto is one of the leading chocolate brands in Latin America, with products exported to more than 60 countries.