Long ago there was a cough drop line called Pine Bros Throat Drops. They were a glycerin drop, kind of like a hard gummi. They came in a variety of flavors like cherry, honey and licorice. I bought them often and ate them like candy, even though they said medicated on the package.
I bought this box pictured here on eBay knowing full well that I couldn’t actually eat them as they’re at least 15 years old. I just wanted to take their picture and remember them.
But I haven’t stopped looking for a replacement for them. The melt was smooth and even for a cruncher like me, they lasted a long time. And they really did soothe the throat.
Then a few years ago Gigi wrote about something that sounded similar, Golia Respira
I finally found this roll of Respira Golia at Mel & Rose Wine & Liquors. They were expensive ($2.50), but at least the little roll was cheaper than the box or bag version. (And certainly within their best by date, unlike old Pine Bros on eBay.) They’re made by Perfetti Van Melle, known best for their rolls of Mentos.
The wrapper says they’re caramelle gommose which I take to mean gummy candies and alla liquirizia which I know means with licorice. They’re made with both gum arabic and glycerine.
They don’t smell like my much beloved cough drops, but they do smell compelling. It’s a mix of smoke, black pepper and incense. The pieces are large, about 3/4 of an inch in diameter and about 1/3 of an inch high. They sound like bakelite, crisp and hard, but they’re not. They’re a bit pliable in the mouth. The first flavor at the front is licorice, the light and true flavor of licorice which is sweet and a little syrupy. There are notes of anise and clove and of course a pervasive menthol, as that’s what the Respira part of the name is about (breathing).
They get quite soft but never soft enough to pull apart, just dissolve slowly and steadily.
I loved the strong eucalyptus flavor and background of licorice. They are slick and soothing and also, because they’re soft there are no little sores created by sharp edged voids like hard cough drops can do. But they’re really medicinal tasting, so they’re not a casual endeavor and everyone around you will know that you’ve been eating them. I know there are other versions of these, I’m hoping I can find something that’s a little more soothing, like the classic Honey Lemon Pine Bros Drops.
Related Candies
- Gimbal’s Scottie Dogs
- Eat with your Eyes: Old Timers Licorice
- Puntini Jujubes - Frutti Tropicali
- Dr. Doolittle’s Pastilles (Lemon, Grapefruit & Wild Berry)
- The Apothecary’s Garden: Herbs (and some Bees)
- Grapefruit & Blackcurrant Pastilles
Used to LOVE the Pine Brothers cough drops when I was a kid too - honey!!! (And I don’t even much like honey). Cherry was a close second. I don’t eat sugar anymore (living vicariously through you ) so I guess I shouldn’t be that bummed out that they are no longer. Do you remember the hard candies by Regal Crown I think (sour cherry - YUMMO) - loved them too but they don’t exist anymore either.
Oh, how I loved Pine Bros. cough drops! Like chewing on a piece of plastic, but there was something just so good about them.
I also Loved Pine Bros honey cough drops. I agree with everything you said about them! I wish there were something like them out there. Especially in a honey lemon, as you said.
I think that I was addicted to Pine Brothers, so even though I miss them it’s probably a good think for me that they are discontinued
Add me to the list of former Pine Bros. Honey Lemon addicts. I too ate them like candy when I was a kid.
I have heard a lot about these but never tried them. I hear that there is something similar in texture but isn’t medicated.
Grether’s Pastilles Blackcurrant
I think you can find them at Cost Plus World Market, Amazon, or at shop.pastillesforless.com.
Pin Bros. Honey cough drops… how I miss them!!!
Pine Bros. were my consolation prize when I had a cold. I liked them so much better than the Ludens (in the orange box) favored by my parents.
Why don’t cough drops come in handy square boxes any more? The one pictured was the right size to fit in a shirt pocket.
Ricola makes a drop thats smaller but the same chewy goodness. They have the honey flavor and a cherry that is good too. They come in a small box.
Pine Brother’s are back… searched and searched for these for my husband who still talks about them to this day… ordered the 3 pack as a surprise for him and he was in heaven.
A QUEL ENDROIT PEUT ON ACHETER CE PRODUIT AU QUÉBEC
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