Difference Between Chewing Gum and Bubble Gum

By Rohit KumarBrands, General Awareness
Difference between Chewing Gum and Bubble Gum

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Chewing gum and bubble gum are often mentioned together, and even interchangeably. Both serve as a refreshing oral fixation, a health aid for jaws, and a reminder of carefree childhood moments. Despite the overlap, they are two different things. Let’s chew the fat, blow some bubbles, and discover the difference between chewing gum and bubble gum. An understanding of chewing gum vs. bubble gum will help you appreciate their differences and choose wisely. 

Difference Between Chewing Gum and Bubble Gum

All bubble gums are chewing gums but not all chewing gums are bubble gums. Call bubble gum a more flexible chewing gum that can inflate to create a bubble. Chewing gums do support bubbles but not as efficiently as bubble gum does. That’s the major difference between bubble gum and chewing gum. Let’s explore more for the full picture.

1. General Usage: 

Chewing Gum An umbrella term to describe all gums, including Bubble Gum
Bubble Gum A type of chewing gum meant for blowing bubbles 

2. History: 

Chewing Gum Origins can be traced back to 5000 years ago
Bubble Gum  Accidentally birthed in 1928 by Walter Diemer

3. Ingredients: 

Chewing Gum Contains a gum base, sweeteners, and flavorings
Bubble Gum  Includes additional ingredients for elasticity, allowing it to form bubbles

4. Purpose:

Chewing Gum  Used to freshen breath, maintain oral hygiene, boost memory, and reduce weight & stress 
Bubble Gum Provides all the benefits of chewing gum along with the ability to create bubbles

5. Texture: 

Chewing Gum Firm texture that’s great for chewing away endlessly
Bubble Gum Softer and more elastic to support bigger bubble creation 

6. Taste:

Chewing Gum Usually refreshing minty, less sweet 
Bubble Gum  Typically sweet and fruity 

7. Flavors: 

Chewing Gum Gives you that cool minty blast, with flavors limited to spearmint and peppermint
Bubble Gum  Offers a range of flavors with everything from strawberry to blueberry to grape available

8. Audience:

Chewing Gum Anyone, especially grownups keen on fresh breath and clean teeth
Bubble Gum  Kids and teens who like sweeter tastes and bigger, non-sticky bubbles 

9. Price: 

Chewing Gum Usually easy on the pocket
Bubble Gum  Affordable, yet pricier than chewing gum 

10. Shelf Life: 

Chewing Gum Can stay edible for longer, up to a year 
Bubble Gum  Shorter (3-5 months) shelf life, as it can go dry 

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What is Chewing Gum?

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A chewy stuff you can chew endlessly but cannot swallow – that’s chewing gum for you. Think of chewing gum as an umbrella term to describe all gums, including Mewing Gum, Nicotine Gum, Caffeine Gum, Herbal Gum, Bubble Gum, Chicle Gum, Sugar-Free Gum, Fruit Gum, Mint Gum, and more. It’s typically sweet, flavored, sticky, and insoluble.

Chewing Gum Ingredients:

A typical chewing gum is made from the following ingredients:

Ingredient Role
Gum Base The main structural component, made from synthetic materials or natural substances like chicle
Sweeteners  Sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, or anything else that sweetens the gum 
Softeners Enhance texture and flexibility, preventing the gum from becoming too hard
Flavors Various flavorings that boost taste, such as mint, fruit, and more
Colors Food coloring that renders the gum its vibrant appearance
Polyol Coating Some gums have a coating for freshness and to prevent sticking

Chewing Gum History:

Chewing gum’s history spans 5000 years, from birch bark tar gum in Finland to Mayans using chicle and Greeks chewing mastic gum. Ancient China, South America, and the early US also had gum prototypes. Chewing gum got its big break when Mexican president, Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, brought chicle to New York in the 1860s. And the rest is history!

Why Chew It?

You chew it to pass the time, freshen your breath, keep those pearly whites clean, and even give stress the boot.

  • Fresh Breath Boost:

It’s like a minty blast! Chewing gum gets saliva flowing, kicking bad breath to the curb.

  • Clean Teeth, Happy Mouth:

Some chewing gums work double-duty, scrubbing away plaque and keeping your gums healthy.

  • Stress Buster:

Feeling frazzled? Chew on some gum for a quick pick-me-up. The repetitive motion is surprisingly soothing.

  • Brain Boost:

A study even links chewing gum to increased blood flow and boosting your memory by 35%.

  • Weight Management: 

According to another study, chewing a stick of gum burns about 11 calories per hour. Chomp away for several hours, and you could shed over 50 extra calories daily. How’s that for slimming down effortlessly?

What is Bubble Gum?

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Call bubble gum a thicker, softer, sweeter, and more malleable version of chewing gum. Besides achieving all the benefits associated with chewing gum, you chew it to blow bubbles, hence the name. It usually comes in pink color.

Bubble Gum Ingredients:

Both start with similar basics like gum base and sweeteners, but bubble gum gets extra flair with added ingredients that make it thick, stretchy, and flavorful. Also, bubble gum ingredients vary by brand, but some are common across the board. Typically, bubble gum is made up of the following ingredients. 

Ingredients   Role
Flavorings  Bubble gum gets creative with artificial flavors like methyl salicylate and ethyl butyrate.

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For that classic taste, it combines banana, pineapple, cinnamon, cloves, and wintergreen.

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Some recipes even add strawberry flavoring drops for extra sweetness.
Sweeteners and Binders Sugar, dextrose, and corn syrup provide sweetness.

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Tapioca dextrin and corn starch help thicken the gum to support bubbles.
Finishing Touches   Confectioner’s glaze gives a glossy sheen.

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Carnauba wax adds texture and shine.

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Titanium dioxide adds color, and citric acid balances the flavor perfectly.

Bubble Gum History:

While some form of chewing gum has been around since ancient times, it took Walter Diemer in 1928 to invent bubble gum. Walter, an accountant at Fleer Chewing Gum, was just messing around with gum recipes when he stumbled upon one that was less sticky and more stretchy than others. It flew off the shelves, selling out in a day! Fleer jumped on the chance and dubbed it “Dubble Bubble.” And just like that, it became a million-dollar sensation within the year.

Why Chew it?

Bubble gum offers similar benefits to chewing gum, alongside some added ones.

  • All About the Fun:

Bubble gum is your ticket to blowing the biggest, bounciest, and non-sticky bubbles around!

  • Tasty Treat:

Who says fun can’t taste delicious? Bubble gum comes in fruity flavors, making it a hit with the kiddos. 

  • Post-Surgery Recovery:
According to the Mayo Clinic, Chewing gum could potentially speed up healing after surgery.

Conclusion:

Chewing gum and bubble gum serve as a refreshing oral fixation and a delightful reminder of carefree childhood moments. However, the differences between the two are evident on deeper inspection. While chewing gum is just for chewing, bubble gum affords the luxury of creating bubbles. Chewing gum vs bubble gum is also about flavor, texture, elasticity, and ingredients. Regardless of what you prefer, moderation is the key. Also, don’t forget to toss your gum in the trash when you’re done chewing to prevent any mess or inconvenience. For more comparisons, stay tuned.

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FAQs:

  • How does chewing gum differ from bubble gum?

Chewing gum is designed for general chewing and oral stimulation, while bubble gum is specifically formulated to allow users to blow bubbles.

  • Are the ingredients in chewing gum and bubble gum different?

While both may share some common ingredients like gum base and sweeteners, bubble gum often contains additional ingredients that give it its stretchy texture and unique flavors.

  • Can I blow bubbles with chewing gum too?

Chewing gum does support bubble-blowing to some extent, but bubble gum creates larger and more durable bubbles.

  • Which type of gum is more popular among consumers?

Chewing gum tends to be more popular for its versatility and wide range of flavors, while bubble gum is favored by those looking for a fun and playful chewing experience.

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Feature Image Courtesy: Halayalex on Freepik