Flavors

A gift that gets a smile, not a blush

Flavoured condoms are one of the easiest intimate gifts to give. Slip a three-pack of strawberry into a Valentine's card or a stocking and the message lands without feeling heavy. For couples buying their first box together, they're a relaxed place to start. You each pick a flavour, compare notes afterwards, and safer sex becomes something you laugh about rather than negotiate. You don't need a partner to justify a box, either. Plenty of people pick up a mixed pack simply because the plain ones in the drawer have started to feel dull.

Our tip for surprises: go for a mixed pack such as Pasante Flavours instead of guessing someone's favourite. Nobody gets stuck with a taste they dislike.

Flavour, fit and how many to buy

Strawberry is by far the most common flavour in this range, with mint in second place. Mint tastes fresher and less sweet, which suits people who find fruit flavours a bit sugary. Control Adapta in chocolate and Pasante's mango, pineapple and coconut mix are for anyone who wants something less expected.

Fit matters just as much here as with any other condom. Most flavoured condoms are a standard width of around 52 to 54 mm, and the Pasante tropical ones are 53 mm. If standard condoms usually feel tight or slip, check our condoms by size before committing to a big box.

• A 3-pack works as a gift or a trial run.
• Boxes of 12 suit couples who already know what they like.
• Bulk boxes of 144 from Pasante and Unilatex make sense for parties, hen nights or if you get through a lot. There are plenty of other box sizes in between.

Worth knowing before you open one

Flavoured condoms are mainly designed for oral sex. Some have sugars or sweeteners in the coating, and these can upset the vaginal balance and make thrush more likely for people who are prone to it. Check the packaging. If it says oral use only, keep a plain box within reach for intercourse, for example from our natural condoms.

Nearly all flavoured condoms are made of latex. Oil-based lubes, massage oils and body butters weaken latex, so stick to a water-based lube, flavoured if you like. With a latex allergy, switch to latex-free condoms. And if a thin feel matters more to you than taste, the sensitive range is the better match.

Condoms are handy on shared toys too. The NHS advises a fresh condom for each partner and washing toys with soap and water between sessions.