What are the Ingredients in Brach's Peppermint Candies?

October 21, 2025 •

3 min read

Over one billion Brach's Star Brites are produced annually, and each owes its classic flavor to a simple yet specific recipe. If you've ever wondered about the core components that give these individually wrapped treats their signature taste, this article will break down what are the ingredients in Brach's peppermint candies.

Quick Summary

Brach's peppermint candies contain a simple formulation of sugar, corn syrup, real peppermint oil, and various food colorings. Minor ingredient variations exist between different product types, such as the hard versus soft mints.

Key Points

Core Ingredients: Brach's hard peppermint candies are made primarily from corn syrup, sugar, peppermint oil, and food colorings.
Real Peppermint Oil: Brach's uses real peppermint oil to provide the authentic and fresh minty flavor.
Texture Variation: Different Brach's peppermint products, like the hard Star Brites and soft holiday mints, use different sugars to achieve their specific textures.
Coloring Agents: The candies contain synthetic food dyes, including Red 40 and Blue 1, as well as titanium dioxide for the white color.
Allergen Warning: Brach's products are often made in facilities that also process common allergens like milk, eggs, and nuts, which is important for consumers with allergies.
Simple Formulation: Despite its distinct flavor and appearance, the recipe for Brach's peppermint candies is relatively straightforward compared to more complex confections.

The Core Components of Brach's Hard Peppermint Candies

Brach's Star Brites, the classic hard peppermint candies, rely on a short and straightforward list of ingredients. This recipe creates the transparent, crystalline texture and intense minty flavor that has made them a household name. The primary ingredients are the sweeteners that form the hard candy matrix and the flavorings that provide the distinct taste.

Sweeteners and Base

The foundation of the candy is built on two key sweeteners:

Corn Syrup: A clear, liquid sugar solution that prevents crystallization, ensuring the final product is smooth and hard, not grainy.
Sugar: Provides the sweet taste and helps form the solid structure of the candy.

Flavor and Coloring

Beyond the base, the classic peppermint flavor and signature appearance are achieved with these additional components:

Peppermint Oil: The source of the candy's refreshing, authentic peppermint flavor. Brach's emphasizes the use of real peppermint oil in their products.
Titanium Dioxide [Color]: Used to create the bright, opaque white color in the hard candies.
Food Dyes: A mix of artificial colors is used to create the familiar red stripes. The list typically includes Red 40, Red 3, Blue 1, and Yellow 6.

Ingredient Variations in Other Brach's Peppermint Products

It's important to note that the ingredient list can differ slightly depending on the specific Brach's peppermint product. The Soft Peppermint Holiday Candies, for example, have a different formulation designed for their unique texture.

Comparison of Brach's Peppermint Candies


Feature	Star Brites Peppermint Hard Candy	Soft Peppermint Holiday Candy
Texture	Hard, brittle, and crystalline	Soft, puffy, and melt-in-your-mouth
Primary Sweeteners	Corn Syrup, Sugar	Invert Sugar
Flavoring	Peppermint Oil	Peppermint Oil
Primary Coloring	Titanium Dioxide, Dyes	Red 40, Red 40 Lake
Texture Additives	None	None mentioned
Additional Notes	Individually wrapped for long-lasting freshness	Puffy texture allows for quick dissolving

The Role of Each Ingredient

Each component serves a specific purpose in creating the final candy:

Corn Syrup: As mentioned, it is crucial for preventing the sugar from recrystallizing, which would make the candy brittle and prone to crumbling. It maintains the desired hard, smooth texture. It is a common ingredient in many hard candies for this very reason.
Sugar: The main sweetener, providing the bulk and sweetness. Together with corn syrup, it forms the base of the candy.
Peppermint Oil: The active flavor agent. Brach's uses real peppermint oil, which provides a fresher, more natural mint flavor compared to candies using only artificial mint flavorings.
Coloring Agents: Titanium dioxide is a whitener, while the other synthetic food dyes create the recognizable aesthetic. The use of food colorings is common practice in the confectionery industry to enhance visual appeal. Concerns regarding food dyes, such as potential links to hyperactivity, are a topic of ongoing discussion, though they are FDA-approved.
Invert Sugar: In products like the soft peppermints, invert sugar is used. This is a mixture of glucose and fructose, and it contributes to a smoother, softer consistency than regular sugar alone, creating the 'melt-in-your-mouth' texture.

Manufacturing and Allergen Information

Brach's is transparent about its manufacturing process and potential cross-contamination. Many products, including the peppermint candies, are manufactured in facilities where other products containing common allergens are also processed. This includes milk, eggs, almonds, coconut, peanuts, and soy. This information is crucial for individuals with specific food sensitivities or allergies.

Potential Allergens

Milk
Eggs
Almonds
Coconut
Peanuts
Soy

For more detailed product information, consumers can always visit the official Brach's website, where specific product pages list nutritional information and ingredients.

Conclusion

The ingredient list for Brach's peppermint candies is surprisingly simple, primarily comprising sweeteners, real peppermint oil, and food coloring. The exact formulation varies slightly between the classic hard candies and the soft varieties, with the core difference often being the type of sugar used to achieve the desired texture. While concerns exist regarding the synthetic food dyes, the recipe remains a time-honored classic, beloved for its refreshing flavor. Understanding the ingredients provides a clearer picture of the classic candy you know and love.

Note: Ingredient formulations can change over time. Always check the packaging for the most current and accurate ingredient information. For more product details, visit the official Brach's website.

Frequently Asked Questions

While the listed ingredients for Brach's Star Brites hard candies do not contain gluten, the company's official product page does not explicitly claim a 'gluten-free' certification. Due to potential cross-contamination in facilities, individuals with celiac disease should exercise caution or seek confirmation from the manufacturer.

Titanium dioxide is a food coloring agent used to give the Brach's hard peppermint candies their bright, opaque white color. It is also commonly used in other foods and cosmetic products.

No, the ingredients can vary depending on the specific product. For example, Brach's Soft Peppermint Holiday Candies use invert sugar instead of corn syrup to achieve their soft texture.

Brach's uses real peppermint oil for flavoring in their Star Brites, which gives them a distinctive, fresh mint taste. However, some other Brach's candies might use artificial flavors, so it's best to check the specific product label.

While the candies themselves do not contain major allergens like nuts or dairy, they are manufactured in facilities that process products containing milk, eggs, almonds, coconut, peanuts, and soy, meaning cross-contamination is possible.

For the most accurate and up-to-date ingredient information, you should always check the physical product packaging. Manufacturer websites are also a reliable source for current product details.

Corn syrup prevents the sugar from crystallizing, which is key to creating a smooth, hard texture instead of a grainy one. This helps maintain the candy's structure and mouthfeel.