It is possible to make all kinds of candies by hand, so why not try chewing gum as well? It has been used for medical purposes and to freshen breath for at least 5,000 years. Read on to learn how to make chewing gum in three different ways: with a gum base, with beeswax, or with Sweetgum tree resin.
Ingrediants
Classic Chewing Gum
- 1/3 cup of base for gum
- 90g of powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons of glucose syrup
- 1 teaspoon of Glycerin
- 1/2 teaspoon of Citric Acid
- 5 drops of Aroma
Natural rubber with beeswax
- 110g of Beeswax (make sure it's food grade)
- 115g of powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons of honey
- Mint or Cinnamon Extract
Minimalist Rubber with Sweetgum Resin
Sweetgum tree resin
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Classic Chewing Gum
Step 1. Heat the ingredients
Put the gum base, glucose syrup, glycerin, citric acid, and chewing gum flavoring in the top of a double boiler. Put the kettle on the gas and heat over medium heat. Continue heating until the mixture is hot and sticky. Use a spoon to mix well.
- The gum base, glycerin, and citric acid can be found in candy stores or online retailers. Look for a classic taste or a bit particular, for example the taste of lime.
- You can also add a few drops of food coloring to color the mixture.
- If you don't have a double boiler, place a small saucepan on top of a larger one. Fill the larger pot with some water and put it on the gas. Put the smaller pot in the larger one so that it floats on the water. Put the ingredients in the small saucepan and turn on the gas.
Step 2. Make a well of powdered sugar
Set aside a tablespoon of powdered sugar and pour the rest onto a clean cutting board or other work surface. With your fingers make a well in the mound of powdered sugar.
Step 3. Pour the gum base into the sump
Carefully pour the gum base into the icing sugar bowl. Be careful not to have any water in the mixture.
Step 4. Make the chewing gum dough
Dust your fingers with a little icing sugar and start kneading the mixture and the icing sugar together. Work the icing sugar into the base until it becomes sticky; add a little more powdered sugar and continue kneading. Knead the dough for at least 15 minutes, until it becomes soft and no longer sticks to your fingers.
- If the dough is not worked sufficiently, the rubber will not stay compact: do not skip this step.
- The dough must be well blended.
Step 5. Roll the dough
Place the dough in front of you and roll it with your hands so that it becomes a long, thin roll. Try to get the same thickness throughout its length. Then cut the roll into small pieces with a knife.
- If you prefer, you can roll out the dough with a rolling pin and cut it into squares.
- Or form small balls with the pieces.
Step 6. Finish preparing the gum
Sprinkle the pieces of gum with powdered sugar so they don't stick together. Wrap the pieces of gum with parchment paper cut into squares.
Method 2 of 3: Natural Beeswax Rubber
Step 1. Melt the wax
Put the wax in a kettle for cooking in a double boiler. Put it on the gas and heat over medium heat. Melt the wax until it becomes soft and sticky.
Step 2. Add honey
Put the honey in the pot and mix in the melted wax. If you prefer, you can use glucose syrup instead of honey.
Step 3. Add the flavors
For beeswax based gums, the mint flavor is suitable. You can also try cinnamon, lemon, or licorice. Squeeze about five drops of the flavoring into the pot with the wax and honey and mix well.
- You can also add finely chopped herbs, such as rosemary or mint leaves.
- For a healing gum, add some mint oil and a few drops of lemon juice.
Step 4. Add the sugar
Add some powdered sugar to the base. The mixture should begin to thicken. Taste the mixture and add the herbs or powdered sugar if you want to flavor it more or make it sweeter.
Step 5. Pour the gum base into the molds
Use candy molds, ice cube molds, and other small molds. Distribute the base equally in each mold. Put the molds in the refrigerator so that they harden; when you want to eat a gum, take a piece out of the mold.
Method 3 of 3: Sweetgum Resin Gum
Step 1. Find a sweetgum tree
The resin of these trees has been used since ancient times for healing purposes and to prepare chewing gum. Sweetgum is a deciduous tree common in North America.
Step 2. Find where the resin exits the tree
The resin comes out from under the bark. It is possible to find a place where the bark has already been torn off and it is possible to take the resin. Otherwise, score the bark with a small knife. You will see the resin come out from underneath.
- Don't damage the tree by removing too much bark.
- Choose a point high enough so that it is not reachable by animals.
Step 3. Wait for the resin to harden
After a few days, the leaking resin will begin to harden and become rubbery. Come back after three days to check. If the resin is still too liquid, wait a few more days. If it's hard, it's ready to be used to make gum.
Step 4. Scrape the resin off the tree
A pocket knife is a great tool for this job. Put the resin pieces in a small container.
Step 5. Chew the resin
Put the resin in your mouth and enjoy your minimalist bubble gum.
