How does flavor last so long in gum?

Gum is made up of a gum base, sweeteners, and flavorings. The gum base is what gives gum its chewy texture, while the sweeteners and flavorings provide sweetness and flavor. The flavorings in gum are typically encapsulated, which means that they are surrounded by a protective coating. This coating helps to prevent the flavorings from being lost to evaporation or oxidation.

When you chew gum, the saliva in your mouth helps to break down the gum base and release the flavorings. The flavorings are then absorbed by the taste buds on your tongue. The result is a long-lasting flavor experience.

Some gum manufacturers also use a process called "flavor layering" to create a more complex and lasting flavor experience. Flavor layering involves adding multiple layers of flavorings to the gum base. Each layer of flavoring is released at a different time, creating a flavor experience that changes as you chew the gum.

The combination of encapsulated flavorings and flavor layering allows gum manufacturers to create a wide variety of gum flavors that can last for a long time.