The confectionery industry is buzzing with the” retro” trend. Many companies and franchises are revisiting and revamping classic dessert products that once enjoyed widespread popularity. These nostalgic items are making a comeback, capturing the interest of consumers looking to relive the past. One such product is gum, which has seen a decline in demand but is now experiencing a revival thanks to the retro trend. Let’s delve into the history and intriguing facts about gum.
The Birth of Gum
The origins of gum date back to ancient times. Records show that around 300 B.C., the Mayans used to extract sap from the “sapodilla” tree and chew the solidified chicle. The modern gum version is believed to have started in the 19th century. Thomas Adams, an American, was researching how to use chicle for tire manufacturing. However, the material lacked the necessary elasticity, and instead of discarding it, Adams added flavoring and created gum. This was the beginning of modern chewing gum.
Ingredients of Gum
Gum is made by adding flavorings, sugar, and sweeteners to chicle, a natural rubber, or polyvinyl acetate. The sticky sap from rubber trees is boiled down and processed into a solid, serving as the primary gum ingredient. However, nowadays, gum is mainly made using synthetic substances that have properties similar to those of chicle. Modern gum primarily uses polyvinyl acetate, derived from naphtha, a byproduct of petroleum refining.
The Benefits of Gum
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, gum was experiencing a decline in popularity. However, two factors have brought it back into the spotlight. The first is the retro trend, which has revived interest in nostalgic foods. The second is gum’s ability to freshen breath. As people began meeting face-to-face again after the pandemic, many turned to gum as a quick fix to mask bad breath when brushing their teeth wasn’t convenient.
Gum Helps Stay Awake
Chewing gum is widely recognized as a helpful snack for staying alert. In response to this demand, caffeine-infused gum products have been introduced. Furthermore, research indicates that chewing gum can help relieve stress and improve ear pressure, benefiting individuals with ear infections.
Decline in Consumption
The decline in gum consumption is not unique to South Korea. Since the 21st century, global gum consumption has gradually decreased. In Korea, the rise of coffee culture has significantly contributed to this decline, as more people opt to drink coffee instead of chewing gum when they want something to do with their mouth. Even during the pandemic, when most snack sales increased, gum sales declined. However, as mentioned earlier, recent factors have led to a resurgence in gum consumption.
Illegal in Singapore
It’s well known that Singapore has completely banned gum import, production, and sale. While chewing gum is illegal in Singapore, littering it can result in severe penalties. The ban was introduced in 1992 due to the rampant littering of gum in the 1980s, which was costly to clean up. As a result, the Singapore government enacted a law prohibiting the import and sale of gum.
Swallowed Gum Sticks to Your Stomach?
One common myth is that swallowing gum will cause it to stick to your stomach. Many still believe that swallowed gum never leaves the stomach. While it’s true that the human body cannot digest gum, most of it eventually passes through the digestive system and is excreted. However, this doesn’t mean you should swallow gum; since it’s indigestible, it’s best to spit it out rather than swallow it.
What Happens if You Eat Gum with Chocolate?
If you eat gum and chocolate together, the gum will dissolve. This is because chocolate contains fat, the main ingredient that dissolves gum. The fat in chocolate breaks down the gum’s resin, which is why chocolate-flavored gum is unavailable on the market. Even if it’s not chocolate, any fatty food eaten with gum can cause the gum to dissolve. Peanuts are an excellent example of this. It’s best to avoid chewing gum when eating fatty foods.
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