Black Jack Chewing Gum Flavor
In 1884, he began adding a licorice flavoring and called his invention Adams' Black Jack, the first flavored gum in America. At this time, chewing gum changed shape from lump or chunks, to sticks. It was also the first gum to be offered in sticks as we know it today. It was an instant success. Black Jack chewing gum was the first flavored chewing gum in U.S. Candy history, and the first available in individually wrapped sticks. Treating fans to delicious chewing since 1884, the nostalgic Black Jack gum favorite was recently reintroduced, and its distinctive black licorice flavor is just as yummy as you recall. Wow do you remember Black Jack gum from your childhood? Well its BACK and in stock at Bulk Candy Store. Wrap your tastebuds around this classic chewing gum treat, and you will be glad you did! Made with the same distinctive licorice flavor you know an. A vintage favorite, Black Jack chewing gum makes a delicious treat. Tuck a stick in your pocket or bag to enjoy during your day. Licorice flavor tastes delicious. Individually wrapped pieces of gum are easy to take on the go. Each pack contains 5 sticks of gum.
Black Jack is an aniseed-flavored chewing gum currently manufactured by the Gerrit J. Verburg Co.[1]
In 1869, exiled former Mexican president and general Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna (famous for losing the Texas War of Independence) was living in New Jersey.[2] He brought Mexican chicle with him in hopes of selling it to raise funds to help him return to power in his home country. He persuaded Thomas Adams of Staten Island, New York, to buy it. Adams, a photographer and inventor, intended to vulcanize the chicle for use as a rubber substitute. Adams' efforts at vulcanization failed, but he noticed that Santa Anna liked to chew the chicle, which the ancient Mayans had done.
Disappointed with the rubber experiments, Adams boiled a small batch of chicle in his kitchen to create a chewing gum. He gave some to a local store to see if people would buy it; they did and he began production.
In 1871, Adams received a patent on a gum-making machine and began mass-producing chicle-based gum. His first product ('Snapping and Stretching') was pure chicle with no flavoring, but sold well enough to encourage Adams in his plans. He began to experiment with flavorings, beginning with sarsaparilla. In 1884, he began adding licorice flavoring and called his invention Adams' Black Jack, the first flavored gum in the U.S. It was also the first gum to be offered in sticks.
Black Jack Gum was sold well into the 1970s, when production ceased due to slow sales.[3] It was re-introduced in 1986[4] and again in 2019.[5]
Ownership[edit]
Warner–Lambert acquired the American Chicle Company, including the Adams brand, in 1962. The American Chicle Company was renamed to Adams in 1997. Pfizer, which had bought Warner-Lambert in 2000, sold Adams and all of Pfizer's other candy brands to Cadbury in 2003. This unit became Cadbury Adams.[6]
In 2019, Gerrit J. Verburg acquired the Black Jack gum brand among several others from Mondelez International, the parent company of Cadbury[7]
In popular culture[edit]
In the book Deviant, author Harold Schechter mentions that American serial killer Ed Gein chewed Black Jack gum during his sanity hearing.Black Jack gum was also used in the television show Boardwalk Empire. It was featured in Nucki's flashbacks in Season 5, Episode 6.
In Seinfeld Season 3, Episode 5 ('The Library'), Seinfeld is reminiscing with an old friend. He asks if they were chewing Black Jack gum. She says, 'Ugh licorice gum? Never!'
Black Jack Chewing Gum Amazon
In the 1990 movie Pump up the Volume, Christian Slater's character prefers Black Jack gum .
Referenced in the song 'Back to the Hotel' by SF Bay area group N2Deep.
In the Sanford and Son episode 'Coffins for Sale' Fred makes a reference to Black Jack Gum being chewed by General Pershing.
In Season 3, Episode 10 of the Showtime original series Homeland, acting director of the CIA, Saul Berenson ensures his secretary has an adequate supply during a tense moment. (Later it is referenced as his lucky gum). 'I'm out of Black Jack. Anymore out there?' Secretary brings him a pack from her desk. 'Is this the last pack?' Secretary: 'I've got you plenty more. Don't worry.'
Rage (1977) by Stephen King. In chapter 22 the lead character, Charlie Decker, says: 'Black Jack gum - there is no finer.'
In Season 3, Episode 16 of the American TV series Northern Exposure, 'Three Amigos,' Ruth-Anne offers Maurice a pack of Black Jack gum to bury with their late friend, Bill. She said he always liked it. Then, before they completely finish Bill's burial in the wilderness, Maurice offers Holling a stick and then he stuffs the pack of gum between the rocks that are covering the burial mound.
References[edit]
Black Jack Chewing Gum Flavors
- ^https://www.candyindustry.com/articles/88327-gerrit-j-verburg-acquires-classic-gum-brands-from-mondelez-international
- ^http://www.history.com/news/history-lists/6-things-you-may-not-know-about-santa-anna
- ^https://www.oldtimecandy.com/collections/walk-the-candy-aisle-black-jack-gum
- ^https://www.nytimes.com/1986/12/25/business/new-revival-old-time-gum.html
- ^https://www.candyindustry.com/articles/88327-gerrit-j-verburg-acquires-classic-gum-brands-from-mondelez-international
- ^https://www.oldtimecandy.com/collections/walk-the-candy-aisle-black-jack-gum
- ^https://www.candyindustry.com/articles/88327-gerrit-j-verburg-acquires-classic-gum-brands-from-mondelez-international
Chew Your Way Through Time
A Brief History of Black Jack, Beemans, and Clove
Black Jack Gum History
1869 - Thomas Adams buys chicle, the milky latex of the sapodilla tree, from exiled Mexican President Santa Anna in the hopes of processing it for use as an alternative to rubber.
1871 - After failing to break into the rubber business, Thomas Adams secures a patent on a gum-making machine and begins producing chicle-based gum as a novelty item with no flavorings or additives.
1884 - Thomas Adams begins adding licorice flavoring to his chicle gum, which he names Adams Black Jack—the first flavored gum in the United States.
1890s - Edwin Beeman, Cleveland physician, begins making chewing gum with pepsin, which he calls Beemans Gum, as a natural digestive and competitor with Adams Black Jack.
1899 - The American Chicle Company is formed, putting Black Jack and Beemans under one roof.
1914 - The American Chicle Company acquires Clove gum, continuing to unite some of the largest chewing gum brands across the country.
1962 - The American Chicle Company is purchased by the Warner-Lambert Company.
1978 - Black Jack, Beemans, and Clove sales continue to decline, eventually halting production.
1983 - Beemans gum appears in The Right Stuff via Chuck Yeager’s famous line: “Hey Ridley, got any Beemans?”
1985 - All three gums are re-introduced to American consumers by way of Warner-Lambert Company, but sales remain stagnant.
1990 - Mark Hunter, the pirate radio teenager played by Christian Slater in Pump Up the Volume, exclusively chews Black Jack gum.
2008 - Mutt Williams, played by Shia LaBeouf in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, is shown enjoying Beeman’s gum.
2018 - Black Jack, Beemans, and Clove chewing gums are reunited by Gerrit J. Verburg Co. to ensure that these timeless gums are always available to the public!