I have an extremely high tolerance for spice–only once twenty years ago could I think of a time when I went over the limit, and that was when I was still new to Asian spice levels. Strong mints don’t bother me at all. I’m not a huge fan of mint in sweets (I prefer it in savory dishes, like with lamb or chicken or whatnot), but as far as Altoids and things like that go, I’ve never noticed any particular reaction to them other than intense mint flavor.
That was my exact thought when reading the thread title: People find mint to be a strong physical reaction akin to spice? Weird.
Mint, cinnamon, and ginger are all strong flavors to me, but I can’t imagine having a physical reaction to them, and I love cinammon-hots, mints of all types, and ginger candies.
I can handle spicy peppers pretty well, but I don’t like the taste that goes along with it, so I don’t eat that much.
What really gets me going is horseradish and wasabi. Love love love those flavors, and the burn goes right down my spine - I think I’ve made my heart stop once or twice, and I know I’ve stopped breathing before. My tolerance is ass low, but I love the flavors so much I just puddle up for a bit, enjoy the new clarity of my deep sinus tissue, try to regulate my breathing again, and go again!
I like strong everything; I’m just one of those people. Don’t put any ice in my whiskey, I wish Altoids were stronger, I’m pretty sure Big Red gum has watered down its flavor over the years, I don’t even know how to make meals without at least three types of peppers, and I always order at the spiciest level available when at a restaurant. I’ve only once eaten anything that was too spicy for me. I ate some suicide hot wings last night and I must say, those wings were only mildly zesty at best, Papa Ray’s! And your delivery guy was late!
They also used to have a paper insert which told the story of the company and how the recipe dated back over a hundred years. Since then they’ve gone American instead of old school UK and put things like “Enter at your own risk” on the paper inserts. I’ve noticed the change in the flavor and I may still have some of the old ones to compare to(I have a stockpile of the things). If I can be bothered to do a taste test I’ll report back.
Enjoy,
Steven
I like spicy well enough, but I don’t find it pleasant when it gets to the point that I can’t taste the food anymore. Altoids, though… Mmm. I’ve been very addicted for a long time. If I didn’t control myself I’d go through an entire tin on my 30 minute commute from home to work. And then another coming back home. I do wish they were mintier, though.
I tolerate and enjoy both quite nicely.
How about salty licorice? How do you guys do with that? 
I dislike the taste of licorice in strong concentration, though it can be a nice touch when it’s just a little above perceptible.
I don’t like spicy food much at all, but I can tolerate mints just fine.
(As a counterpoint to the many stories in this thread and others about asking for “Asian spicy” and the like at Thai restaurants, I usually ask for mild and about half the time it’s still too spicy for me.)
Salty licorice is about the only kind of licorice I really seek out. I’m kinda addicted to that ammonium chloride it’s flavored with.
I love licorice, but don’t think I’d want it with salt on it. That sounds kind of gross.
And it ain’t normal salt. It’s ammonium chloride which does have an weird, ammonia-like taste to it. There’s sugar in it, too, so it’s not like it’s not sweet. More info here.
I love spicy foods. I think horseradish is ok. I can’t stand mint. At all. I just really hate the flavor.
chinese food has to make me sneeze.
mints not strong enough.
I tolerate (and enjoy) spicy food and hot sauces.
But I do not tolerate mints, very strong minty gum, horseradish/wasabi very well. Mint makes me sneeze and I don’t enjoy it if it’s too intense.
I love both very spicy foods and very cool mints.
I just find that Altoids are not strong, at all. If you do find Altoids to be too minty, do yourself a favour and avoid Frisk mints. It is almost impossible to drink a glass of cold water when having a Frisk.
My tolerance for mints is much, much stronger. Then again, my tolerance for black pepper is stronger, too. It’s something about chiles and other peppers.
And some of you guys seriously haven’t put like 5 altoids in your mouth and felt the burn?