Wrigley’s Doublemint

 

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.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

five × one =