Around the World Gum Vol. 1

My good friend Alissa lives in Milan Italy. I am dedicating my first edition of Around the World gum to her. After she got married in Big Sur, she sent me all this Italian gum. I have to admit that some of it was a little bit rough but there is a clear winner in the group. Cult, Hawaiian flavored gum was by far the best tasting, longest lasting flavor. The name is suspicious and Hawaiian flavor? Doesn't make much sense but I still give it 4 out of 5 chews. The rest is a mixed bag. Both strawberry flavors are shaped like eggs, taste great and I especially love the juicy centers. The Air gum is pretty bad. One tastes like black licorice. I never understood anyone who likes black licorice so I definitely can't get into this gum. The other one tastes like mouth wash... enough said.

Gum of the Month

One of my guest contributers, Matty Pipes, suggested I started "Gum of the Week". Seeing that I update my blog once a month... I decided "Gum of the Month" is a little bit more realistic. Extra Dessert Gum has completely redeemed itself with Mint Chocolate Chip. This shit really tastes like mint chocolate chip ice cream. It's incredible! My only two complaints are that the gum is almost too sweet and the flavor doesn't last. I feel like I am in the movie Willy Wonka when I chew this gum. This gum deserves 4 1/2 out of 5 chews.

Dessert Gum.... Not so much

When I first saw this gum at the 711 on Hyperion and Rowena, I thought I hit the jackpot. Strawberry Shortcake and Key Lime Pie Gum? Unfortunately after chewing this gum, my dreams were shattered. The Strawberry Shortcake flavor was literally rancid. I am a huge fan of strawberry gum but this is almost un-chewable. They Key Lime Pie was significantly better and it definitely tastes like it is supposed to. However, the flavor does not last long. Overall I would give the Extra Dessert Gums 2 1/2 out of 5 chews.

Yet another mint melon gum?

I first saw this gum in Las Vegas on a recent business trip. I was hesitant to buy it since Trident Layers gum is very mushy. However despite the mush, I love the flavor of this gum. Possibly one of the better executions of mint and melon. An interesting twist is that Trident uses honeydew melon, where as most melon gum goes with watermelon. For originality alone, I give Trident Layers Cool MInt + Melon Fresco a 3 out of 5 chews.

Beautiful Bubble

My good friend Kelsey posted this on my Facebook. I thought it was too awesome not to post, so here you go!

Ice Cube Gum?

When I first saw this gum I was immediately intrigued. Gum that doesn't come in a rapper, it comes in a cube.... an "Ice Cube". I specifically chose to review the kiwi watermelon flavor simply because it is the easiest flavor to get wrong. Ice Breakers got it somewhat right. I can't really taste the kiwi, but I definitely taste the watermelon. There are only 10 cubes in the box, so the "pack" goes quickly and honestly so does the flavor. Totally turns to mush and that is my #1 pet peeve. Cute idea but not a practical gum choice. 2 1/2 out of 5 chews.

CLASSIC MAN'S GUM by Matty Pipes

I can remember many firsts in my life; the first time I had sex, the first time I got a "C" in school, even the first time I recognized sarcasm for the glorious invention it is. I can't, however, recall the first time I chewed gum. I imagine my first piece was some long pink rectangle made hard from being stuck to baseball cards all summer. Or, maybe it was a fruity Bubbalicious treat gifted me by my mother in exchange for my silence at a check-out stand.

Try as I might though, I can't pinpoint that inaugural flavorblast; that initial smackdown. Seems sad considering how long I've been chewing gum. I've smacked the good stuff since before the big gum trends of the 00's. Before the the introduction of the trendy, but eventually pointless, flavor crystals. Before the watermelon-slash-tangerine mashups. Way before the updated plastic pop-out-the-back packaging.

I'm a Wrigley's kid--the classic man's gum. But only with the original packaging. Unwind the red ribbon at the top and there they are; twenty tinfoiled soilders standing in a row, awaiting there next mission. A tightly packed silver platoon, asking What Do You Need?! Fresh breath? Something to tide you over until lunch? An oral disguise so your boss doesn't suspect your smoking?

I'm not saying I don't venture into the new gum crazes of the day. I enjoy the juicy combos from Orbitz and Stride like everybody else. And, let's be honest, at 2am at the bar I'd consider chewing black licorice bubblegum from a 20-year-old CrackerJack box if I thought it'd get me laid.

But, all things considered, nothing transports me like the taste of a Wrigleys. All other gums seem cluttered. A stick of Wrigleys makes me think of my hometown. Makes me feel like a grown man rather than a kid on a sugar high. Makes me wish it was the first stick of gum I had ever tasted. And who knows, it very well may have been.