Gum base is a kind of insoluble and non-nutritive substance, and it can give chewing gum the sensory properties of long-term chewing without significant changes. Gum base is one of the ingredients of chewing gum and bubble gum. Its application can distinguish bubble gum and chewing gum from other candies.
The earliest gum base is made of natural rubber. With the development of the process, most gum bases are now composed of good-grade polymer and its complexes.
Gum base belongs to a food additive in domestic regulations, but it is not within the scope of GB29987. It is a unique food additive because its composition contains high polymer elastomer and resin materials. These substances replace natural rubber and give the base a unique taste.
Generally speaking,
the main ingredients for gum base are a polymer (elastomer), resin (plastic body), softener, filler, and emulsifier. The choice of different ingredients determines that each gum base has its unique characteristics. The gum base recipe is always the core technology for gum-based companies.
When chewing the gum, the elasticity, hardness, and texture of the gum base itself can be reflected. At the same time, as the carrier of flavor substances, we hope gum base can combine and release flavor and sweetness or acid. On the other hand, in the production of chewing gum, we will consider its plasticity, hardness, and the influence of temperature on it.
We usually use a soft and delicate taste gum base for ordinary bubble gum. Also, it should have some extension. Bubble gum base requires hardness while chewing gum base considers its comfort and the ability to release aromas after a long time of chewing.
Gum base has a softening point index; which helps customers in choosing gum base. Generally,
it is recommended to use a relatively high softening point of rubber-based products in hot areas, or the weather is hot. When it comes to finished chewing gum, it will be relatively durable. In brief, it is not easy to be softened. Those with a high softening point gum base it has strict requirements for raw material percentage. Then there will be two situations for chewing gum.
On one hand, the cost will be a little higher; on the other hand, chewing gum will be harder if the percentage is so exact. Therefore,
in a typical climate, it is suggested to use a regular softening point gum base from 55 to 62 ℃. During the production process, the choice of flavor is also critical.
As different flavor contains different solvent composition, it significantly influences producing finished chewing gum. It is suggested to select the type of flavor and its usage first, then communicate with the gum base factory to do some tests by professionals and advice or develop a suitable gum base. If every type of gum base is according to every different customer and product, it can reach the best effect. In addition, such gum base has high-cost performance; the opponent won't copy it easily.
At the end of the gum base production process is molding. We will produce different shapes according to the needs of customers. There are blocks （6 to 8 cm), semi-block (usually 2-4cm thick), thin sheets (usually 0.5-1.5cm thick), granular (2-5cm in diameter), and powder (50 to 80 mesh). While to the limitation of transport conditions, the latter two are still in a small range of use stage.
For customers, it must be selected according to the climate of its location. For example, in areas where the weather is too hot, if using a thin sheet of gum base, some factors in the process of packaging and transportation will lead the gum base to bond together, and the thickness is more than the block gum base itself. The production and packaging cost of semi-thin sheet gum base will be slightly higher, so the price will be higher; For block glue base, we must use oven preheating treatment, a variety of situations, and so on. So what shape of gum base products to use? It is recommended to use it before consulting some professionals.
If you have other questions about choosing a gum base, please contact us. Wuxi Gum base staff will give you satisfactory answers!
Author: Wuxi Gum Base
Publication Date: 5/9/2022
