THE CHEWING GUM

Introduction
Chewing gum is a sweetened product composed primarily of latex, which can be natural or synthetic. On the one hand, organic latex is arubbery polymer obtained from the sap of the Manilkarazapota, a type of tree. On the other hand, synthetic latex is a component produced by neutral plastic or polyvinyl acetate base.

Process
The natural or artificial base is grounded into coarse meal and mixed to obtain a uniform consistency. The blend is then settled into a warm room to dry for two days.

Cooking and purifying the base
After two days, the base is cooked in kettles at 116 degrees Celsius, to form thick syrup. To purify it, the product is passed through screens and placed in a high speed centrifuge until it is refined through finer screens.

Blending additional ingredients
When the previous step is completed, the base gum is taken to the kettles to get cooked with other ingredients that are stirred in by large steel blades. These components are extremely fine powdered sugar, corn syrup, flavoring and softeners.  After the composition gets smooth enough, it is rolled through bands and cooled with fresh air.

Kneading and rolling the gum
In the next step, the mass is kneaded for several hours by the machines that gently pummel the gum. When this process is finished, the mass is dusted with powdered sugar, scored into a pattern of rectangles, seasoned and broken into sticks. Now, finally, the gum is ready to be packaged and shipped to retail outlets.