# Gen Z-Targeted Sour Candies Mentos Sour Tones Come in Grab Bags and Single Roll Packs By Michael Hemsworth | Published 2026-03-14 | Marketing Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mentos-sour-tones References: [scottishgrocer](https://scottishgrocer.co.uk/2026/03/13/mentos-taps-into-sour-candy-demand-with-sour-tones/) & [mentos](https://www.mentos.co.uk)  [Mentos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mentos-sour-gum) Sour Tones are the brand's newest addition to its product range that's crafted with [Gen Z](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mentos-sharing-bags) consumers in mind to capture their attention with vibrant branding and a zesty taste experience. The candy comes in Green Apple, Strawberry and Orange flavors that start out with a zesty kick of sourness that evolves into juicy, fruit-forward notes that's described by the brand as being a flavor rollercoaster. The candy is arriving in the uK in 120-gram hanging bars alongside single 37.5-gram rolls to work well for a variety of treat occasions. Junior Brand Manager at [Perfetti Van](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mentos-pure-fresh-strawberry) Melle Victoria Gibson spoke on the Mentos Sour Tones saying, "Sour-flavoured products are growing 4.5 times faster than the total market. Sour Tones hits the sweet spot for Gen Z consumers while offering retailers a compelling opportunity to drive incremental sales and profits from this high-growth flavour space.” ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 7.2/10 - Popularity: 68% | Activity: 81% | Freshness: 66% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing) > [Branding](https://www.trendhunter.com/branding) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Gen Z Flavor Targeting:** Brands leaning into bold, youth-centric flavor profiles and playful branding that align with Gen Z tastes are creating space for novel product lines and co-creation models tailored to social media-native consumers. - **Sour Flavor Acceleration:** The rapid growth of sour-flavoured products signals a shift in taste preference where intensified sensory experiences can justify premium positioning and flavor-led brand extensions. - **Snack Packaging Versatility:** Diversified pack formats from single-serve rolls to larger hanging bars are enabling broader occasion-based consumption and new retail merchandising concepts that optimize impulse and shareability. ### Where This Applies - **Confectionery Retail:** Retailers capitalizing on high-growth flavor niches can rearrange assortments and in-store displays to spotlight trending SKUs and capture incremental basket spend. - **Food and Beverage Marketing:** Marketing teams focusing on Gen Z drivers like vibrant visuals, shareable narratives and experiential sampling are opening pathways for influencer-led launches and viral campaigns. - **Packaging and Sustainability:** Packaging innovators developing recyclable, resealable and eye-catching formats are positioned to meet both environmental expectations and convenience demands from younger consumers. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Zesty Summertime Candy Products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/skittles-citrus.md) - [Textural Teen-Targeted Treats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mallow-dunkz.md) - [Mix-and-Match Candies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/juicy-drop-mashups.md) - [Bodacious Soda Ranges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tango-zerod.md) - [Super-Sour Lollipop Candies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chupa-chups-sour.md) - [Summertime Fruit Gum Flavors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mentos-pure-fresh-strawberry.md) - [Mixed Fruit-Flavored Soft Candies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mixed-fruit-soft-candy.md) - [Berry-Flavored Sharing-Friendly Candies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mentos-feeling-berry-good.md) - [Value-Minded Pouched Candy Products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pick-n-mix-candies.md)