How do factories make chewing gum?

The chewing gum manufacturing process typically involves several steps:

1. Gum Base Preparation:

- The gum base is made from natural ingredients like chicle, which comes from the sapodilla tree, and synthetic materials.

- These ingredients are mixed and heated to create a soft and pliable gum base.

2. Addition of Flavors and Sweeteners:

- Various flavors, sweeteners like aspartame or xylitol, and colors are added to the gum base.

3. Mixing and Kneading:

- The mixture is thoroughly mixed and kneaded to evenly distribute the flavors and colors throughout the gum.

4. Extruding and Shaping:

- The gum mix is then extruded into long strands or sheets.

- These strands are cut into smaller pieces or molded into the desired shapes, such as sticks or pellets.

5. Cooling and Drying:

- The shaped gum is cooled and dried to remove excess moisture and harden the gum.

6. Coating:

- To prevent the gum from sticking together, a coating of edible wax or glaze is applied.

7. Packaging:

- The finished chewing gum pieces are individually wrapped or packaged into containers, boxes, or pouches.

8. Quality Control and Testing:

- Throughout the manufacturing process, quality control checks are performed to ensure that the gum meets the desired taste, texture, and safety standards.