Making Bubble Gum
While writing a fun story about bubble gum, I wondered if I could make my own gum from home.
I found a video showing how to make bubblegum and copied it. Finding the gum base to purchase took more searching than I anticipated, but don’t worry; I’m sharing my source here so you can easily find it.
Making bubble gum was a sticky process, and the first time around, we learned too late that using our nice dishes for mixing ingredients wasn’t the best option (we had to use rubbing alcohol to remove the gum base from our dishes and silverware afterward).
Once we switched to using paper bowls and a wooden stirring stick, the clean-up was a breeze. (The image on the left features gum base and flavor drop bottles.)
We purchased a gum base that is made in the USA from HungryRobot. It doesn’t smell very good when you pull it out of the package, but after adding the flavor oils and powdered sugar, it smells and tastes amazing.
We used two capfuls of either Bubblegum flavor or Cotton Candy flavor from LorAnn Oils, as we tested batches. With one batch, we also added a few drops of the LorAnn Tart and Sour Flavor Enhancer, which gave the gum a tangy sour punch. (Be aware that the more liquids you add to the gum base, the more powdered sugar you’ll need later.)
We also experimented with different food colors, but classic pink was our favorite.
After testing and verifying measurements, we invited guests to join in on the gum-making. We’ve had three bubble gum-making parties with teens and adults, followed each time by a bubble-blowing contest – what a blast!
Want to make bubble gum, too? You’ll find the recipe below. If you make homemade bubble gum, let me know. I’d love to hear your results!
Homemade Bubble Gum
Equipment
- 1 Paper bowl
- 1 Paper plate
- 1 Wood craft stick or plastic spoon
- Cutting utensil or plastic knife
- Wax paper or parchment paper, cut into squares
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 TBLS Unflavored Gum Base (or 30 grams)
- 3 TBLS Corn Syrup
- Flavor Drops Such as Cotton Candy or Bubble Gum flavors. We used 2 capfuls.
- 1 Drop Food Coloring Red provides the classic bubblegum pink color
- 2 TBLS Powdered Sugar
Instructions
- In a paper bowl, microwave the gum base in ten-second increments until it’s fully melted. (use the wood craft stick to stir it)
- Add the corn syrup, and continue microwaving in ten-second increments and stirring until fully mixed.
- Add the flavor drops and stir.
- Add the food coloring and stir. Set aside.
- Pour the powdered sugar onto the paper plate.
- Pour the melted ingredients into the middle of the powdered sugar.
- Use the craft stick to pile surrounding powdered sugar onto the top of the mixture.
- Using your fingers, press more powdered sugar in.
- Massage the sugar in while adding more and more powdered sugar until the mixture is no longer sticky.
- Roll the gum into a log.
- Cut into gum-size pieces.
- Drop the pieces back into the powdered sugar and roll.
- Shake the sugar loose and roll each piece inside wax or parchment paper. Twist ends.
Notes
As I researched bubble gum, I learned about archeological evidence showing that chewing gum has existed for a long time. The Mayans, ancient Greeks, and others chewed gum. The world’s oldest preserved chewing gum is 9,000 years old and made from birch bark in Sweden.
More Fun Facts About Bubblegum:
*A British archeologist once discovered a 5,000-year-old piece of chewing gum in Finland. It was made from bark tar and still contained tooth imprints.
*The oldest bubble gum brand, Blibber-Blubber, started in 1906, but it was way too sticky. In 1928, Walter Diemer discovered a successful formula called Bubble Dubble, which is still being sold today.
*The most expensive chewing gum in the world is called Mastika Gum. If you’d like to try the gum that elitists and royal families worldwide chew, you can buy it online.
*The current world record for the most chewing gum chewed at one time is 250 pieces. Yikes!
*All forms of chewing gum have been banned in Singapore since 1992.
Picture Book Recommendations:
As I searched for picture books that feature bubble gum (to use as inspiration, mentor texts, and comp titles for the story I wrote), these books stood out as my favorites. Take a look!
*On Account of the Gum, by Adam Rex
*Bubble Gum Bison Needs a Bath by Scott Rothman
*Pop! The Invention of Bubble Gum by Meghan McCarthy