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Why is gum chewy? |
by Alli Rodenhauser (whyzz writer) >> more about the author
Native Americans used to chew spruce resin (a sticky substance that
comes from trees) as a tooth cleaner — it probably tasted a lot
different than the fruity or minty flavors you're used to, but this is
considered to be the first "gum." Nowadays, modern gum's main
ingredient is something called "gum base," which is what gives chewing
gum its name.
Depending on the brand, gum base is made out of different combinations of rubbers or latex, resins, waxes, and fats. The heat from your mouth causes these ingredients to soften but, because they all repel water, your spit doesn't cause the gum to break down like it does when you eat other foods!
And have you ever noticed that different gums get softer or harder the longer you chew them? That's because the amount of gum base in the actual gum is also what determines a gum's chewiness — bubble gum is only made up of 15-20% gum base, which is why it loses its flavor and hardens quickly, while sugar-free gums can be as high as 25-30%!
Did you know?
A Sticky Situation
Chewing gum was once banned in Singapore because the government was sick of its citizens sticking it to benches, sidewalks, and doors! Though the ban was lifted in 2004, buying gum in the country is still quite difficult — it is available by prescription only, and pharmacists who do not get the "patient's" name and ID can face heavy fines, and even jail time.
Depending on the brand, gum base is made out of different combinations of rubbers or latex, resins, waxes, and fats. The heat from your mouth causes these ingredients to soften but, because they all repel water, your spit doesn't cause the gum to break down like it does when you eat other foods!
And have you ever noticed that different gums get softer or harder the longer you chew them? That's because the amount of gum base in the actual gum is also what determines a gum's chewiness — bubble gum is only made up of 15-20% gum base, which is why it loses its flavor and hardens quickly, while sugar-free gums can be as high as 25-30%!
Did you know?
A Sticky Situation
Chewing gum was once banned in Singapore because the government was sick of its citizens sticking it to benches, sidewalks, and doors! Though the ban was lifted in 2004, buying gum in the country is still quite difficult — it is available by prescription only, and pharmacists who do not get the "patient's" name and ID can face heavy fines, and even jail time.
