What gum base makes chewing gum harder to chew?

Generally, gum bases with high rubber content, improper filler proportions, and insufficient softeners can make chewing gum harder and harder. The details are as follows:

High rubber content: rubber in rubber base is the key component to provide elasticity, such as styrene-butadiene rubber, butyl rubber, polyisobutylene rubber, etc. If the gum base contains relatively high amounts of these rubbers, it may make the chewing gum harder at the beginning of the chew, and as the chew time increases, the chewing gum becomes harder due to the properties of the rubber.



Improper proportion of filler: calcium carbonate or talc powder is generally used as filler to increase the volume of rubber base and change the texture. If the proportion of filler is too high, it may damage the elasticity and flexibility of the gum base and make the chewing gum too hard. For example, if calcium carbonate is used as filler for chewing gum containing acidic spices, chemical reactions may occur to produce gases that affect the texture of the chewing gum and make it harder to chew.

Inadequate softeners: softeners such as wax soften all phases of chewing gum. Chewing gum tends to become harder and harder during chewing if the amount of softener in the gum base is insufficient to effectively reduce the hardness of the gum base.

Ingredient changes: chewing gum is exposed to air for a long time, the water evaporates gradually, and the reducing sugar in the gum base may crystallize and form small particles, destroying the continuity and ductility of the chewing gum and making it brittle and hard. In addition, too low a temperature can harden the gum base of chewing gum and make it difficult to soften during chewing.


Author: Wuxi Gum Base
Publication Date: 9/25/2025