“5 is the new black.” Thought you won’t see the manufacturer’s name anywhere on the package, Wrigley’s is the company behind “5”, the newest product to hit candy shelves. The name sticks, as each sugar-free piece of chewing gum has only five calories. Some people think there’s a greater significance to the name. Does 5 ignite the five senses when  chewed? It has been five years since Wrigley’s introduced Orbit gum in 2002. Could that be the reason for the mysterious, numeric product name?

Once you get past the perplexing title, you can instantly appreciate 5 for its sleek, black packaging. In fact, the company is targeting teens with this product with the slogan “5 is the new black.” I was familiar with this gum before I tried it, since I’d seen one of the company’s advertisements playing on the big screen in a pre-movie commercial. I was intrigued by the image of the gum before I even tasted it—talk about effective advertising.

When I picked up the box, I thought it looked strikingly similar to a pack of cigarettes. The gum sticks even stand upright in the pack and slide out the top like cigarettes would. The gum definitely has a bad-boy image to it, as much it is possible for a chewing gum to seem rebellious. Available in three flavors—Cobalt (Peppermint), Flare (Cinnamon), and Rain (Spearmint)—each pack contains 15 pieces of gum covered in bright, color-coordinated foil of red, blue, or green. Rain tastes a lot like other spearmint gums on the market—nothing new there. Flare is a bit tamer than Big Red, with more of a bubble gum flavor to it than the hot and spicy cinnamon you would expect. And Cobalt is refreshing like a candy cane, but again, not as intense as you would expect from the packaging. I must say that the flavor, though not as intense as some other gums bring, lasts and lasts. It’s doubtful that chewing a certain type of gum can give you an image boost. But if any gum could make you cool, it would be 5.

Tags: Wrigley, chewing gum, breath freshener, long lasting gum, sweets

Tooth whiteners are all the rage. If you haven’t noticed, just walk down the toothpaste aisle of your local grocery store and you’ll discover toothpastes, tooth strips, mouthwash, and chewing gums that all claim to whiten teeth quickly and easily. Enter Wrigley’s Orbit White chewing gum. This pack contains twelve pieces of sugarless gum “proven to remove stains and whiten teeth,” or so the packaging states.

I decided to put this gum to the test. Because this pack was the Melon Breeze flavor, I had my doubts. I’m a bit skeptical that something that tastes fruity can also be good for my teeth. But I decided to give it a whirl. Much to my surprise, the gum did leave my teeth and breath feeling cleaner. There was no sugary residue to complain about, nor any aftertaste. Each piece of gum (and there are 12 in the pack) is stored in foil-covered pockets. The white, rectangular gum pieces are complete with green specks that just make them look like a genuine tooth whitener. The wrapper calls these magical little components “sparkling speckles.” If you eat two pieces of Orbit White gum after eating and drinking, you should notice results after 8 weeks. That’s according to the clinical tests. Unfortunately, that adds up to a lot of cash. So much money, in fact, that you might actually be better off purchasing those super-expensive white strips if you want to get more bang for your buck.

At 2.5 calories per piece, you still can’t go wrong for a sugarless, fruit-flavored gum that makes your teeth and breath fresher. (Melon Breeze must be a combination of cantaloupe and kiwi from the looks of the packaging, but I actually tasted more of a fresh watermelon flavor.) You can also buy Orbit White in traditional flavors: Spearmint, Peppermint, and Bubblemint. Whether or not this gum lives up to the clinical tests, the packaging and product should be enough to draw you in.

Tags: Orbit gum, chewing gum, fruit flavored gum, breath freshener, sweets

There is only one fruit gum filled to the brim with juicy goodness. It’s the chewing gum that lay siege to all other chewing gums. It’s taste that makes the god’s weep with joy upon consumption. It’s the taste that’s really, really gonna move you. Move you from here to Timbuktu. It’s the raw power of the Juicy Fruit. Packed with so much Juicy Fruitiness you have no other choice but to go into a seizure like state upon chewing this extraordinary stick gum. It’s the gum that brings the party with it wherever it goes. It’s the gum that is a party all on it’s own. It needs no help from any other outside resources, it can handle any obstacle thrown it’s way. It is the most original chewing gum out there today. Nothing can say it is like the Juicy Fruit, and if it is, well then that’s blasphemy. You can not call yourself apart of the Juicy Fruit, you are an impostor! There is only one true Juicy Fruit and that’s the Juicy Fruit!

Juicy fruit is the gum that you can’t help but laugh when you hear the name. Juicy Fruit? Really? That’s what they named this guy? I know that’s what you are thinking but once you have indulged in this delicacy you will know why they have dubbed it with such a silly name. Not only is the gum truly Juicy, oozing with flavor with every smack, but the surprising thing about the juice is probably your mouth. You are helping to bring out the party in every stick. In every bite. In every chew you chomp. Now the fruit is something else all together. It is packed with I don’t know how many different flavors. Probably every single one. Because it is way to hard for me to identify. My energy kicks in after about three seconds and I’m off in La La land with my Juicy Fruit. But of those three seconds I can tell you it is absolute bliss. You have so many favors running a marathon across your taste buds you would think you were smack dab in the middle of The Running of The Bulls. And your taste buds are the running from the bull guys and the flavor are the bulls charging across the field. Take it from me, this is something you have to get on before it’s too late and you are ninety years old and break a hip trying to do the dance of joy.

If you are a gum chewing fan, like me, than you must take a second to check out the new Lemon-Lime flavor by Orbit Gum. It is a flavor known to many as a simple, yet satisfying, and forever present in our rainbow assortment of candy flavors. This new flavor gives the Orbit fan another wonderful selection in their growing domination of the chewing gum world. Orbit has managed to do something other chewing gums don’t do. They have tried to give us something that is sugar-free yet it tastes better than the sugar packed pieces out there today. Not only do they succeed in giving us a sugar-free gum that tastes better, but they take it a step further and actually look out for the well being of your teeth. By infusing hundreds of small dentists in every piece of gum, when you begin chewing you can actually feel them brushing and cleaning your teeth. Not only are they cleaning your teeth, they are making your breath mint fresh while in turn taking the worry off your shoulders when the time comes to get your check up with you real dentist.

The new Orbit Lemon-Lime falls nothing short of the expectation I had of it before popping a piece in my mouth. The Lemon-Lime Orbit gum is one that stands among the new flavors with just as much if not more flavor than all the others Orbit has recently been putting out. 2007 marks a new year for the Orbit company. Launching a series of new flavors such as Mint Mojito, Raspberry Mint and the new Lemon-Lime, you know that Orbit is hard at work to bring you, the gum chewer, new and improved flavors to keep you satisfied and coming back for more. With the release of these new flavors and more on the way, it only reassures me, a loyal gum chewer to the Orbit empire, that they have yet again and will continue to produce chewing gum rich in flavor and something that leaves your mouth with a clean feeling, without the dentist, no matter what.

This gum has some real old fashioned flair and taste to it. It has a consistency that makes all other gums of today taste like they are pieces of sugar coated in hard gross plastic. Clarks Teaberry is one of those gums that in spite of its size is mixed with an unbelievable taste and seems as though it is expanding not only in size but in flavor by the bite. Something that other gums are highly lacking in the sugar packed pieces of today. Usually those pieces begin to harden and lose form and taste by breaking apart in your mouth about ten seconds into it, but something about Clark’s Teaberry Gum keeps you chewing and chewing long after you have put one in your mouth. Now it’s not focusing on being a breath freshener like other chewing gums out there, but this one sure is tasty! It holds some serious flavor for some serious time! No wonder why they always say the “Good Old Days�?. When the cars were made to run. The clothes were fresh. The food was filling, and good for you. And the chewing gum lasted. Ah the good old days.

This old school classic has been around since the creation of dirt. Okay well not that long but around as long as my grandparents and man are they old. When you see this little package you are reminded of the forties. When the mom’s would stay at home and cook and clean. The dads would play catch in the front yard with their sons. The old school drawings that look like something you can get done at a local mall. Where you and your best friend or sibling go into a photo booth an change the setting to sketch art. It reminds me of that era. The “Golden Age�? Where everything seemed right in the world. No one was fighting. Gene Kelly graced the silver screen. Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. lead the rat pack through the memorable hits that defined the generation. And behind every great age lies the trademark staple that is sure to resurface at any nostalgic store filled with Marilyn Monroe cardboard cut outs, or Mickey Mantle trading cards. Babe Ruth posters or Andy Worhol paintings.

Beemans is like that for me. Not my favorite chewing gum, but well respected among the chewing gum family history. Without the classics you would never have change. You would never have invention. You never have risks that make up the astounding variety that is the chewing gum selection out there today. I mean racks and racks of chewing gum that vary in flavor, size, shape, taste, color, you name it its out there today. But back in the day you could count on old trusty. Beemans gum is that staple. It is that trademark of the era now long gone. But the name rings true to all the loyal gum chewers out there today. It is a name that has out lasted it’s time. And for that we say thank you to the Beemans gum that has brought us so many memories over the years. Bob Hope and Bing Crosby on their adventures. At the U.S.O. holding that famous golf club in one hand cigar in the other. The Babe pointing to center field. Marilyn’s skirt. Oh how the time flies, and oh how Beemans can bring you back in the matter of seconds.

Though it’s standard fare in checkout aisles and convenience store counters, this gum hasn’t been around for as long as you might think. In 1975, Wrigley decided it was time to release a cinnamon flavored chewing gum. The “big�? in the name doesn’t refer to the size of the sticks, but rather the huge, power-packed flavor in every bite. (This is contrary to the image set out by Wrigley’s Big League Chew—only big “macho�? guys chew that stuff, right? Oh wait, it’s really for 10-year-old boys.) By 1987, Big Red was the best-selling cinnamon flavored gum in its market—how’s that for a success story? Now sold widely in the U.S., Canada and Germany, Big Red has a bolder, wilder taste than when it was first unleashed on the gum-chewing public. Like Wrigley’s Doublemint or Winterfresh, the gum comes in the 17-count Plen-T-Pak or the smaller, more convenient five-stick mini packs. But the single, ongoing packaging question that has plagued gum manufacturers is: How you can get so much flavor into one little stick and make it last?

Big Red’s flavor does last longer than many gums. Frankly, I don’t chew gum unless it provides fresher breath that lasts, and this gum is a gold-medal champion in that category. But perhaps I was just persuaded into chewing it by the company’s 1990s marketing jingle (always sung while several couples kissed passionately in the commercials background): “So kiss a little longer. Stay close a little longer. Pull tight a little longer—longer with Big Red! That Big Red freshness lasts right through it. Your fresh breath goes on and on while you chew it. Say goodbye a little longer. Make it last a little longer. Give your breath long-lasting freshness with Big Red!�? Despite it’s cheese factor, I could still sing every note—the sign of a great jingle. Yes, it worked perfectly during that era gone by, and I’ve been a proud chewer of Big Red (and the entire Wrigley family of gums) ever since.

The year was 1914, and Wrigley’s Doublemint chewing gum was birthed into the world. William Wrigley, Jr. and Henry Fleer added a mint extract to already existent chicle gum, bringing a new product to the candy counters. It’s still a strong seller today, available in over 140 countries and popularized by the famous “Doublemint twins�? advertising campaign. Since the 1950s, multiple pairs of twins have appeared on commercials and print advertisements as spokespersons for the fashionable chewing gum. (A similar contest runs still today, as it seems the company is always looking out for fun, fresh, real-life twins who could popularize their image into the next decade.) The look of the wrapper may have changed over the years, as well as the sweetener used in the gum’s formula, but what hasn’t changed is Doublemint’s wide appeal and classic image.

Building on that popular impression of “double�? the flavor and fun is the gum’s long-lasting peppermint taste and low price. Now selling for just six cents a stick, Doublemint provides a rich and savory experience. I’ve enjoyed this gum since childhood, when the wrapper was a bit more lime-green in color. On rare occasions, my mom had some stashed in her purse, and I would go scavenging for a piece on our outings. Of course, she didn’t buy too much of this gum, as it isn’t sugar free. I was more likely to come up with a rectangle of sugarless Trident gum, which I just didn’t think was satisfying enough. Still, Doublemint contains some artificial sweeteners like aspartame. Those who like to stock up can buy a Plen-T-Pak of 17 sticks for under a dollar at most gas stations. But the 5-stick packs are convenient to shove in your pocket or purse without the added bulk. If you start offering gum to your friends, beware that there won’t likely be enough to go around—everyone loves Doublemint gum. For that reason, you might want to consider hoarding a Plen-T-Pak each in your office, car and home, at all times.

Wrigley’s Winterfresh gum is an amazing tasting product made by one of the leading manufacturers of gum products. Once you set one of these blue sticks of gum on your tongue, you immediately taste the cool sensation and fruity blast of flavor released into your mouth. It’s almost like a delicious cross between a fruity taste and a spearmint taste, which combines to make a unique flavor to be enjoyed by people of all ages. The minty freshness provides an exhilarating sensation that you will want to experience over and over again.

Even though this is a small stick of gum, the flavor lasts for a very long time. I had two pieces in my mouth and the taste kept me occupied through the entire church service on Sunday, including Sunday School. Two pieces of Wrigley’s Winterfresh gum is also enough to blow small bubbles for a simple way to amuse yourself during times when you need to be amused. The gum also has a smooth chew. Some gums get hard to chew after awhile, but Wrigley’s Winterfresh holds its smoothness for hours so you will want to continue chewing. I was reluctant to spit mine out because it still had flavor after several hours.

The Wrigley’s Winterfresh website is both entertaining and informative. The Winterfresh flavor is one of the most popular flavors that the Wrigley company has produced, especially among teens. The website caters to fans of this particular flavor with TV commercials that can be viewed along Winterfresh-themed songs and ringtones that you can download and take with you wherever you go.

Wrigley’s distributes their gum and other products throughout the United States and Europe. In 1994, the Winterfresh flavor was introduced. It was the first gum flavor released by any company with a cool winter theme and it has been a forerunner in the gum industry since then. You can stock up on it, too, With a shelf life of at least 10 months, you can be sure that your Wrigley’s Winterfresh pack of gum will outlast your desire to chew it. You can also be confident in Wrigley’s products because of its great reputation. You will undoubtedly recognize and enjoy several of their other products, including the Orbit brand of gum, Big League Chew, Crème Savers, and Altoids, along with several others. Wrigley has been a leader in the gum and confectionary industry since its beginning in 1891. They strive to provide consumers with the best gum products in over 180 different countries. You will not be disappointed by the any of their various products or the innovative flavors that they continue to create.

The Crystal Mint flavor of Orbit gum is a breath refreshing gum that is enjoyed by many. Chewers won’t even know that it’s sugar-free because of its great taste that is uncharacteristic of sugarless gums. After chewing a piece of Crystal Mint Orbit gum, you will undoubtedly understand what is meant by the “Just Brushed Clean Feeling�? printed on every box. You can feel the ingredients seem to whiten your teeth while making your breath fresher at the same time. From the first chew, you will experience the explosion of a minty outburst that will make you want to keep chewing.

The Crystal Mint flavor is a recently introduced flavor produced by the Orbit section of the Wrigley Company. The packaging makes it convenient for you to put it in your pocket and carry it around with you all day. With the long-lasting flavor, however, you will only need to replace the piece in your mouth once during the day, if at all. The packs come with 14 pieces of easily-opened gum in a slim flip-top box. I enjoyed the smooth texture and the fact that it was soft to chew. Some gums get hard to chew after a few minutes, but Orbit kept its soft nature for several hours. The Crystal Mint flavor is excellent for after lunch or dinner because it will help to freshen your breath when you don’t have access to a toothbrush.

The Orbit brand of gum has had a long history of pleasing consumers and freshening their breath. It began in the United States in 1944 as a precursor to the Wrigley Company’s brand of Extra gum – one of their fastest-selling brands. Orbit uses the same idea of minty freshness that was used in the Extra brand of gum. It was taken off of the market in the United States but enjoyed a deal of popularity in the United Kingdom in the meantime, but in the form of a normal stick of gum. Orbit re-entered the United States market in 2001 and burst onto the scene with its quirky commercials and explosive minty freshness. Other flavors have been introduced to add to its popularity, including Bubblemint, Cinnamint, Citrus Mint, and Spearmint among others. And what’s even better – it’s sugar-free and only 5 calories per piece. You can be sure to enjoy any of the delicious flavors without any guilt or concern to your weight.