Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
Recently, I was selected to review this new kind of throat drop. They are made by Pine Bros. The company has been around a long time but was recently acquired by Victoria Knight-McDowell (creator and former owner of Airbourne). Here is how the company tells their story:
" Ulysses S. Grant was President, the population of America hovered at 39 million, and the telephone was still a pipe dream, when in 1870 J. Herman Pine hung out a confectionery shingle on 8th Street above Walnut in Philadelphia and, along with his brother, sold their first batch of what they called 'Pine Brothers Glycerine Tablets.' In an attempt to relieve his own sore throat and those of his family members, Mr. Pine, a former German confectionery maker, determined that by combining the soothing natural qualities of glycerin with the healing properties of gum acacia, he could sooth and mitigate the mild discomfort of a sore throat. Add in some natural flavoring and a sweetener and voila, Pine Brothers Softish Throat Drops were born. "I have discovered something," Pine wrote, "which will give quick throat relief to thousands afflicted as I was." He added,"Perhaps I won't make much money out of this. But I can make people happy, and that's more important than money." Mr. Pine was being unduly modest, as his "discovery" would become one of the most successful, most delicious and most unique throat lozenges in the world. Nor has the recipe changed appreciably since it was first introduced to the public over 140 years ago.
In 1930 Pine Brothers was sold to the Life Savers Company and continued to flourish. Known for its 'soft drop consistency,' Pine Brothers lozenges became a favorite of adults and children alike. The product, which attracted healthiest sales in the eastern and northern states, due to its icy winters, reached its peak popularity in the 1970's. The company was sold by Life Savers, and then, having been re-sold and acquired a number of times, found itself essentially rudderless and under appreciated; this despite a legion of loyal consumers. Cost cutting changes were made to the original recipes, packaging became stale and marketing non-existent; Pine Brothers began to be made overseas. Sales declined.
Recently, Pine Brothers was acquired by the creator and former owner of Airborne, Victoria Knight-McDowell, for her new company 3 Sisters Home Products™. Much time and effort has been spent locating the original Pine Brothers recipes, redesigning the packaging, and creating an exciting yet classic new look. The natural product is once again being made in America, and is launching nationally in fall 2011. At which time old Mr. Pine, will succeed once again in "making people happy." God bless him! "
" Ulysses S. Grant was President, the population of America hovered at 39 million, and the telephone was still a pipe dream, when in 1870 J. Herman Pine hung out a confectionery shingle on 8th Street above Walnut in Philadelphia and, along with his brother, sold their first batch of what they called 'Pine Brothers Glycerine Tablets.' In an attempt to relieve his own sore throat and those of his family members, Mr. Pine, a former German confectionery maker, determined that by combining the soothing natural qualities of glycerin with the healing properties of gum acacia, he could sooth and mitigate the mild discomfort of a sore throat. Add in some natural flavoring and a sweetener and voila, Pine Brothers Softish Throat Drops were born. "I have discovered something," Pine wrote, "which will give quick throat relief to thousands afflicted as I was." He added,"Perhaps I won't make much money out of this. But I can make people happy, and that's more important than money." Mr. Pine was being unduly modest, as his "discovery" would become one of the most successful, most delicious and most unique throat lozenges in the world. Nor has the recipe changed appreciably since it was first introduced to the public over 140 years ago.
In 1930 Pine Brothers was sold to the Life Savers Company and continued to flourish. Known for its 'soft drop consistency,' Pine Brothers lozenges became a favorite of adults and children alike. The product, which attracted healthiest sales in the eastern and northern states, due to its icy winters, reached its peak popularity in the 1970's. The company was sold by Life Savers, and then, having been re-sold and acquired a number of times, found itself essentially rudderless and under appreciated; this despite a legion of loyal consumers. Cost cutting changes were made to the original recipes, packaging became stale and marketing non-existent; Pine Brothers began to be made overseas. Sales declined.
Recently, Pine Brothers was acquired by the creator and former owner of Airborne, Victoria Knight-McDowell, for her new company 3 Sisters Home Products™. Much time and effort has been spent locating the original Pine Brothers recipes, redesigning the packaging, and creating an exciting yet classic new look. The natural product is once again being made in America, and is launching nationally in fall 2011. At which time old Mr. Pine, will succeed once again in "making people happy." God bless him! "
Pictured above are two out of the three flavors that company currently has available. Those three flavors are Natural Honey, Wild Cherry, and Black Licorice. However, on their website, they state that there is a new flavor, Lemon Citrus, coming in 2015-2016.
These drops are Gluten Free and ONLY 5 calories per drop! They are softish as the package states. For comparison, I would say they are kind of similar to a stale gummy bear, hardness wise. However, I mean that in the best way! I love the texture of these.
Now to get to the review itself.I did try both flavors that were sent to me and so did my husband, my 7 year old daughter and my 5 year old son. With that being said here are the reviews by person:
ME:
NATURAL HONEY: I though that this one was pretty bland and didn't have much flavor. I didn't care for this one too much and would not choose to purchase this one on my own. Now, in saying that I should also let my readers know....I did not think it was disgusting nor did I spit it out. I just like LOTS of flavor and would rather have something more flavorful.
WILD CHERRY: This one I thought was pretty darn good! I really liked it and this one I would choose to buy if I was in a store in need of throat drops.
MY HUSBAND:
NATURAL HONEY: He thought that they made his mouth dry and they had no flavor. He chose not to have anymore of this kind.
WILD CHERRY: He liked these. He even took one "puck" of them to work because he had been having a dry, scratchy throat. He, now, keeps that "puck" of them in his Jeep center console for when he needs them.
MY KIDS:
NATURAL HONEY: Neither of the kids liked this one. My daughter said it was "SO GROSS!" and she asked me how I could eat them. (LOL) My son said "these are not as yummy as the red ones!"
WILD CHERRY: Both of my kids liked this one and my daughter said it helped her scratchy, sore throat. My daughter actually asked for them a few times for her throat. She said they are "totally better than cough drops"!
With this being said, I am excited for the new Lemon Citrus flavor to come out so I can give them a try too! No one in our house likes Black Licorice so I don't think we will be trying that one anytime soon. However, I suggest that my fans give them a try and let me know in the comments what you think....do you like them, dislike them, how about the texture, and do they help your throat?
Find Pine Bros. at CVS, Rite Aid, Safeway, Kroger, or check at your local drugstore or supermarket. You can also purchase online....here!
