Phantom Gourmet: Chocolate Mint Taste Test

BOSTON (CBS) -- Phantom recently purchased four packages of chocolate mints at a local supermarket. The refreshing contenders were After Eight, Andes, Ghirardelli, and Haviland. See if you can guess which sweet treat ended up at the Top of the Food Chain.

First up is Andes Creme de Menthe Thins. These small, individually-wrapped pieces sport a cheap chocolate exterior that enrobes a minty green inner layer. The mountain top imprinted on each piece attempts to reinforce the refreshing nature of every bite, but the lackluster chocolate became this brand's downfall. With a small size and unsophisticated flavor, Andes are probably best left for the kids.

Next up is Haviland Dark Chocolate-Covered Thin Mints. Made in Revere, Massachusetts, these mints have been a local favorite for decades. With plenty of pieces packed into a long plastic sleeve, these round treats are filled with a minty goo that really packs a punch. While Haviland may not be the best mint out there, these affordable, half-dollar-sized disks do provide a solid bang for your buck.

The runner up is After Eight. Quite possibly the most sophisticated mint on the market, these extra-thin treats come in an elegant box with a whole lot of packaging that Phantom had to fight through before he got to the sweet stuff. These slender squares are refreshingly chewy, with a burst of mint at first bite, and a smooth chocolate finish that lingers on the palate.

At the Top of the Food Chain is Ghirardelli. This stand-up pouch filled with individually wrapped chocolates was the most expensive by far, but it's worth every penny. The rich, high-quality dark chocolate delivers a nice snap that gives way to a gooey and refreshing peppermint center. Thick and hefty, just one square guarantees to satisfy, which is why Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate and Mint Squares are at the Top of the Food Chain.

Watch Phantom Gourmet on Saturdays and Sundays at 10:30 and 11 a.m. on myTV38.