What Makes Gum Chewy? | Ingredients With George Zaidan (Episode 5)

what’s in gum that makes it so chewy how

what’s in gum that makes it so chewy how does this chewy stuff work and can I

does this chewy stuff work and can I

does this chewy stuff work and can I make it from scratch ingredients chewing

make it from scratch ingredients chewing

make it from scratch ingredients chewing gum is one of the weirdest things we put

gum is one of the weirdest things we put

gum is one of the weirdest things we put in our mouths I mean think about your

in our mouths I mean think about your

in our mouths I mean think about your mouth for a second your teeth are harder

mouth for a second your teeth are harder

mouth for a second your teeth are harder than bone iron or steel your jaw muscle

than bone iron or steel your jaw muscle

than bone iron or steel your jaw muscle the main one is one of the strongest in

the main one is one of the strongest in

the main one is one of the strongest in your entire body and your saliva has

your entire body and your saliva has

your entire body and your saliva has enzymes in it that start digesting food

enzymes in it that start digesting food

enzymes in it that start digesting food before it even gets to your stomach but

before it even gets to your stomach but

before it even gets to your stomach but all that which has no problem breaking

all that which has no problem breaking

all that which has no problem breaking up almost any other food is basically

up almost any other food is basically

up almost any other food is basically useless when it comes to gum I mean yes

useless when it comes to gum I mean yes

useless when it comes to gum I mean yes the flavor is gone in minutes but the

the flavor is gone in minutes but the

the flavor is gone in minutes but the gum itself that stays chewy for a long

gum itself that stays chewy for a long

gum itself that stays chewy for a long time I don’t even know how long because

time I don’t even know how long because

time I don’t even know how long because there’s no Guinness world record for it

there’s no Guinness world record for it

there’s no Guinness world record for it I know that I’ve been chewing this piece

I know that I’ve been chewing this piece

I know that I’ve been chewing this piece in my mouth for like 20 minutes and it’s

in my mouth for like 20 minutes and it’s

in my mouth for like 20 minutes and it’s totally fine so what the hell is in gum

totally fine so what the hell is in gum

totally fine so what the hell is in gum that makes it so magical every single

that makes it so magical every single

that makes it so magical every single one of these gums has an ingredient

one of these gums has an ingredient

one of these gums has an ingredient called gum base except it’s not one

called gum base except it’s not one

called gum base except it’s not one ingredient it’s a catch-all that the FDA

ingredient it’s a catch-all that the FDA

ingredient it’s a catch-all that the FDA allows manufacturers to put on the label

allows manufacturers to put on the label

allows manufacturers to put on the label to hide the ingredient or ingredients

to hide the ingredient or ingredients

to hide the ingredient or ingredients that they’re actually using presumably

that they’re actually using presumably

that they’re actually using presumably this is to prevent corporate espionage

this is to prevent corporate espionage

this is to prevent corporate espionage so if you actually go to the Code of

so if you actually go to the Code of

so if you actually go to the Code of Federal Regulations and look up what’s

Federal Regulations and look up what’s

Federal Regulations and look up what’s allowed to be in gum base which I did

allowed to be in gum base which I did

allowed to be in gum base which I did you’ll find a slightly intimidating list

you’ll find a slightly intimidating list

you’ll find a slightly intimidating list of 46 different ingredients which seems

of 46 different ingredients which seems

of 46 different ingredients which seems like a lot until you realize that the

like a lot until you realize that the

like a lot until you realize that the FDA does not limit manufacturers to just

FDA does not limit manufacturers to just

FDA does not limit manufacturers to just using one of those ingredients so let’s

using one of those ingredients so let’s

using one of those ingredients so let’s do a little bit of math the 46

do a little bit of math the 46

do a little bit of math the 46 ingredients are divided up into five

ingredients are divided up into five

ingredients are divided up into five categories with 28:13 two and three

categories with 28:13 two and three

categories with 28:13 two and three ingredients respectively now let’s

ingredients respectively now let’s

ingredients respectively now let’s assume that manufacturers will only

assume that manufacturers will only

assume that manufacturers will only choose one ingredient per category that

choose one ingredient per category that

choose one ingredient per category that gives us twelve thousand four hundred

gives us twelve thousand four hundred

gives us twelve thousand four hundred and eighty combinations but it’s

and eighty combinations but it’s

and eighty combinations but it’s actually more than that because

actually more than that because

actually more than that because manufacturers do not have to use every

manufacturers do not have to use every

manufacturers do not have to use every single category so the bottom line is

single category so the bottom line is

single category so the bottom line is that those two little words on the pack

that those two little words on the pack

that those two little words on the pack of your gum gum base can legally refer

of your gum gum base can legally refer

of your gum gum base can legally refer to 30 1752 mixtures of ingredients but

to 30 1752 mixtures of ingredients but

to 30 1752 mixtures of ingredients but let’s step back for a second why are

let’s step back for a second why are

let’s step back for a second why are there even 46 different ingredients to

there even 46 different ingredients to

there even 46 different ingredients to choose from well basically it’s because

choose from well basically it’s because

choose from well basically it’s because people have been chewing stuff for a

people have been chewing stuff for a

people have been chewing stuff for a really long time and we get really

really long time and we get really

really long time and we get really creative about what we chew frankincense

creative about what we chew frankincense

creative about what we chew frankincense mastic chicle and spruce

mastic chicle and spruce

mastic chicle and spruce tree resin to name a few people have

tree resin to name a few people have

tree resin to name a few people have also chewed beeswax and paraffin wax so

also chewed beeswax and paraffin wax so

also chewed beeswax and paraffin wax so what is all that stuff chemically well

what is all that stuff chemically well

what is all that stuff chemically well frankincense mastic spruce tree resin

frankincense mastic spruce tree resin

frankincense mastic spruce tree resin and chicle hence the name Chiclets are

and chicle hence the name Chiclets are

and chicle hence the name Chiclets are all tree resins they come from different

all tree resins they come from different

all tree resins they come from different species of trees and chemically they’re

species of trees and chemically they’re

species of trees and chemically they’re mixtures of two sets of molecules called

mixtures of two sets of molecules called

mixtures of two sets of molecules called terpenoids and phenols terpenoids in

terpenoids and phenols terpenoids in

terpenoids and phenols terpenoids in particular are responsible for some of

particular are responsible for some of

particular are responsible for some of the most dazzlingly diverse stuff in

the most dazzlingly diverse stuff in

the most dazzlingly diverse stuff in nature like that delicious Christmas

nature like that delicious Christmas

nature like that delicious Christmas tree scent or the carotene in a carrot

tree scent or the carotene in a carrot

tree scent or the carotene in a carrot or Lannister all the granddaddy of all

or Lannister all the granddaddy of all

or Lannister all the granddaddy of all steroids now all terpenoids are made

steroids now all terpenoids are made

steroids now all terpenoids are made from a five-carbon building block called

from a five-carbon building block called

from a five-carbon building block called isoprene and they’re classified by how

isoprene and they’re classified by how

isoprene and they’re classified by how many isoprene units they have so Hemi

many isoprene units they have so Hemi

many isoprene units they have so Hemi terpenoids have one isoprene unit or

terpenoids have one isoprene unit or

terpenoids have one isoprene unit or five carbons monoterpene OIG’s have two

five carbons monoterpene OIG’s have two

five carbons monoterpene OIG’s have two isoprene units or ten carbons and so on

isoprene units or ten carbons and so on

isoprene units or ten carbons and so on someone arbitrarily we stop caring at

someone arbitrarily we stop caring at

someone arbitrarily we stop caring at about nine so anything with nine or more

about nine so anything with nine or more

about nine so anything with nine or more is called a poly terpenoid the most

is called a poly terpenoid the most

is called a poly terpenoid the most famous poly turpenoid is sis poly

famous poly turpenoid is sis poly

famous poly turpenoid is sis poly isoprene also known as natural rubber

isoprene also known as natural rubber

isoprene also known as natural rubber and yes this is one of the ingredients

and yes this is one of the ingredients

and yes this is one of the ingredients that the FDA allows manufacturers to put

that the FDA allows manufacturers to put

that the FDA allows manufacturers to put in gum base so does that mean that we’re

in gum base so does that mean that we’re

in gum base so does that mean that we’re all just chewing sweetened or rubber

all just chewing sweetened or rubber

all just chewing sweetened or rubber bands answer is no for two reasons first

bands answer is no for two reasons first

bands answer is no for two reasons first rubber bands and other rubbers like car

rubber bands and other rubbers like car

rubber bands and other rubbers like car tires are vulcanized which is a process

tires are vulcanized which is a process

tires are vulcanized which is a process that deserves its own episode gum rubber

that deserves its own episode gum rubber

that deserves its own episode gum rubber is not but second and more importantly

is not but second and more importantly

is not but second and more importantly even though manufacturers are

even though manufacturers are

even though manufacturers are technically allowed to use natural

technically allowed to use natural

technically allowed to use natural rubber in gum my guess is that they

rubber in gum my guess is that they

rubber in gum my guess is that they probably don’t or don’t use very much

probably don’t or don’t use very much

probably don’t or don’t use very much instead they use synthetic polymers like

instead they use synthetic polymers like

instead they use synthetic polymers like styrene butadiene polyethylene or

styrene butadiene polyethylene or

styrene butadiene polyethylene or polyvinyl acetate because either they’re

polyvinyl acetate because either they’re

polyvinyl acetate because either they’re cheaper or the supply doesn’t dry out

cheaper or the supply doesn’t dry out

cheaper or the supply doesn’t dry out but you know what that is a total and

but you know what that is a total and

but you know what that is a total and utter guess because FDA thanks guys on

utter guess because FDA thanks guys on

utter guess because FDA thanks guys on to waxes beeswax is the spiritual mother

to waxes beeswax is the spiritual mother

to waxes beeswax is the spiritual mother of all waxes and paraffin wax is made

of all waxes and paraffin wax is made

of all waxes and paraffin wax is made from petroleum

from petroleum

from petroleum now chemically waxes are different from

now chemically waxes are different from

now chemically waxes are different from both resins and polymers they’re mostly

both resins and polymers they’re mostly

both resins and polymers they’re mostly long-chain alkanes alcohols and esters

long-chain alkanes alcohols and esters

long-chain alkanes alcohols and esters similar to what you might find in a

similar to what you might find in a

similar to what you might find in a candle

candle

candle now as you can imagine every one of

now as you can imagine every one of

now as you can imagine every one of these resins polymers and waxes have

these resins polymers and waxes have

these resins polymers and waxes have their own specific taste and texture

their own specific taste and texture

their own specific taste and texture which is what explains the difference

which is what explains the difference

which is what explains the difference between this kind of gum and bubble gum

between this kind of gum and bubble gum

between this kind of gum and bubble gum or bubble gum and this incidentally

or bubble gum and this incidentally

or bubble gum and this incidentally genius piece of marketing let’s put gum

genius piece of marketing let’s put gum

genius piece of marketing let’s put gum in the same package as medicine to make

in the same package as medicine to make

in the same package as medicine to make you think it’s good for you well done

you think it’s good for you well done

you think it’s good for you well done anyway all these resins polymers and

anyway all these resins polymers and

anyway all these resins polymers and waxes are pretty chewy can’t really

waxes are pretty chewy can’t really

waxes are pretty chewy can’t really dissolve in water and aren’t broken down

dissolve in water and aren’t broken down

dissolve in water and aren’t broken down by amylase the enzyme that’s in your

by amylase the enzyme that’s in your

by amylase the enzyme that’s in your saliva so that’s why you can chew gum

saliva so that’s why you can chew gum

saliva so that’s why you can chew gum for such a long time so now that we’ve

for such a long time so now that we’ve

for such a long time so now that we’ve unraveled the mystery of gum base I’m

unraveled the mystery of gum base I’m

unraveled the mystery of gum base I’m gonna try and make my own from scratch

gonna try and make my own from scratch

gonna try and make my own from scratch using only natural ingredients it’s

using only natural ingredients it’s

using only natural ingredients it’s gonna be trial and error and my trial is

gonna be trial and error and my trial is

gonna be trial and error and my trial is gonna be really simple I’m gonna use

gonna be really simple I’m gonna use

gonna be really simple I’m gonna use mastic gum which comes from the mastic

mastic gum which comes from the mastic

mastic gum which comes from the mastic tree and beeswax to soften up the mastic

tree and beeswax to soften up the mastic

tree and beeswax to soften up the mastic which on its own is sort of tough and

which on its own is sort of tough and

which on its own is sort of tough and sticky and I’m gonna use soy lecithin to

sticky and I’m gonna use soy lecithin to

sticky and I’m gonna use soy lecithin to try and keep these two guys together so

try and keep these two guys together so

try and keep these two guys together so let’s do this and see what happens

let’s do this and see what happens

let’s do this and see what happens [Music]

all right let’s give this a shot

all right let’s give this a shot [Music]

chew it I’m gonna get up start out quite

chew it I’m gonna get up start out quite hard but some wonderful IVA starts

hard but some wonderful IVA starts

hard but some wonderful IVA starts choking get in there oh my god hey this

choking get in there oh my god hey this

choking get in there oh my god hey this is working

is working

is working I’ll believe this I’m chewing gum right

I’ll believe this I’m chewing gum right

I’ll believe this I’m chewing gum right now guys nice and stretchy and it’s not

now guys nice and stretchy and it’s not

now guys nice and stretchy and it’s not sticky see it looks just like gum I

sticky see it looks just like gum I

sticky see it looks just like gum I guess I shouldn’t be that surprised

guess I shouldn’t be that surprised

guess I shouldn’t be that surprised because people have been chewing mastic

because people have been chewing mastic

because people have been chewing mastic for a long time but normally when you to

for a long time but normally when you to

for a long time but normally when you to mastic is really sticky and this is the

mastic is really sticky and this is the

mastic is really sticky and this is the beeswax really softens it up I don’t

beeswax really softens it up I don’t

beeswax really softens it up I don’t mind the taste please a bit of sugar

mind the taste please a bit of sugar

mind the taste please a bit of sugar about where did that in a different

about where did that in a different

about where did that in a different episode anyway so movie ideas for a

episode anyway so movie ideas for a

episode anyway so movie ideas for a better recipe or you want to you know

better recipe or you want to you know

better recipe or you want to you know whatever just hit me up I’m on Twitter

whatever just hit me up I’m on Twitter

whatever just hit me up I’m on Twitter this is amazing

this is amazing

this is amazing [Music]

[Music]

[Music] you

you

you [Music]