Chicle, also known as chewing gum, is usually sweet, sour, menthol, among others.
They currently use a neutral plastic base known as polyvinyl acetate.
This neutral plastic is also known as xanthan. It is important to note that until recently the sap of the tropical tree chiclero was used.
One of its first uses was to bind objects of daily use, this was done by the Mayans and the Aztecs who, upon realizing the positive characteristics of chewing gum, did not hesitate to use it.
Apart from using it to join objects of daily use, they also used chewing gum to make something similar to gums.
SYNONYMS FOR Chicle
- ● Gum
- ● Chewing gum
- ● Gumdrop
ORIGIN OF Chicle
This name originates from the Nahuatl word tzictli being a polymer of the gum type, which is obtained from the sap of a tree belonging to the sapotaceae family, which were formerly also called Zapota. They come from Mesoamerica and were exploited in ancient times by the Aztecs and Mayas.
Chewing gum dates back more than 14,000 years since attempts of chewing gum were found that were made with a mixture of boldo together with different species of algae.
In Finland, a 6,000-year-old chewing gum was found that was made from birch bark pitch.
The first commercial chewing gum was sold in 1848, it was called “The State of Maine Pure Spruce Gum” is was made with spruce sap.
CURIOSITIES OF Chicle
Sugarless gum can be an alternative to avoid cavities, there is a study that indicates that chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes after a meal helps prevent dental disease.