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What Is the Best 5 Gum Flavor

Beggars Can't Be Chewers: A Guide To Gum Selection

NYU Local

By Caitie Hawthorne

You stop by Duane Reade with a list of few necessary commodities: detergent, vitamins, Advil, snacks, ice cream, and maybe even some Swiffer pads. By the time you arrive at the cash register, one last item catches your eye. Rows and rows of vibrant chewing gum stacked in beautiful rainbows of flavor. You want to try them all, but you can't. What will you choose?

With recent studies showing the benefits of chewing sugar-free gum, it's understandable that colorful packs dominate the shelves of local convenient stores. According to WebMD, sugar-free gum can leave your breath minty fresh and suppress sweet tooth cravings. In fact, a University of Rhode Island research team found those who chewed gum consumed 68 fewer calories at lunch. It also cleans teeth through the production of saliva and reduces bacteria with the alcohol-based sweetener xylitol. Because Halloween has come to a bitter end and binging on candy is no longer socially acceptable, perhaps a piece of gum is your second best option.

But, do you pay for Trident? Orbit? Stride? 5 gum? So many options, so little money! No need to fret. As a gum-chewing addict, I tried over thirty different packs from the top five brands based on Businessweek.com's "America's Favorite Candies" (Orbit, Trident, 5 Gum, Stride, Extra) and gave my review based on taste, company, and packaging.

ORBIT- Overall Grade: B

As the best-selling sugarless gum in America, Orbit's various, yet simple flavors dominate the market. Mint is the brand's area of expertise, along with clever advertising and reasonable prices. There's nothing too impressive, but there also nothing too repulsive.

  • Average-sized pieces: 14 two-inch pieces wrapped in cheap plastic. With the two-inch length, splitting a stick in half for greedy friends is easy.
  • Packaging: A well-crafted, often colorful and sturdy envelope case that should secure the gum if kept closed. The designs are fun, but nothing too exciting or out there.
  • Popular Flavors: Apple Remix, Strawberry Remix, Tropical Remix, Peppermint, Spearmint, Bubblemint, Wintermint, Cinnamint, Sweetmint, Maui Melon Mint, and 3 different varieties of Orbit White

EXTRA- Overall Grade: C

A unique variety of flavors make Extra gum a standout in the taste category, but due to the lack of longevity and indifferent packaging it lacks the "Extra" character to rise above the rest.

  • Average-sized pieces: 15 long horizontal sticks wrapped in silver foil (see 5 Gum)
  • Packaging: Extra's presentation of its gum is not the brand's priority. Unique flavors are marketed through tiny pictures in the right-hand corner. For example, Rainbow Sherbet, illustrate a cup of Sherbet ice cream.
  • Popular Flavors: Rasberry Vanilla Cupcakes, Lemon Square, Rainbow Sherbert, Rootbeer Float, Mint Chocolate Chip, Fruit Sensations, Spearmint, Peppermint, Polar Ice, Smooth Mint, Winterfresh, Classic Bubblegum

TRIDENT- Overall Grade: B

Trident was America's first sugar-free gum introduced back in 1962. Yet, even with it's history, the brand's packaging needs reworking. The plastic covers are not enough to keep the pieces inside. What Trident does best is its sub-categories, such as Trident Layers. The original may be in need of help, but Trident Layers is a unique texture worth a try.

  • Average-sized pieces: 14 one-half inch pieces wrapped in cheap plastic. One-half inches are generally not enough to split for friends.
  • Packaging: Trident depends largely on which type you choose. For Trident Layers, the packaging is similar to Orbit with a sturdy envelope case and a nice, more calming color scheme. As for the original pack, it is frustratingly weak. If you carry it in a bag, you will mostly end up losing sticks at the bottom because it does button well.
  • Popular Flavors: Original, Tropical Twist, Spearmint, Wild Blueberry Twist, Watermelon Twist, Bubblegum, Minty Sweet Twist, Wintergreen, Strawberry Twist, Cinnamon, Passionberry Twist, 6 Trident Splash flavors, 4 Trident X Care flavors, 6 Trident White flavors

5 GUM- Overall Grade: A-

In its first year, 5 gum grabbed 7% of the American market by targeting teens. The brand's feisty attitude with black packaging and foiled wrappers give it definite points. The long-lasting flavor and multiple pieces are also a major plus for modern day chewers. The only setback tends to be the price of the brand, forcing many buyers to grab Orbit or Stride.

  • Average-sized pieces: 15 long sticks wrapped in glossy-decorated foil. Great for splitting in half.
  • Packaging: Each case is painted black with a hint of the flavor's color on the right-hand side. This unique marketing strategy allows the brand to stand out just a bit more. The packs are durable for a carrying in a purse or backpack, although you should check to make sure it's secure first.
  • Popular Flavors: Flare, Cobalt, Rain, React, React 2, Prism-Electric Watermelon, RPM, Beta-Berry

STRIDE- Overall Grade: C+

Confident in it's name, Stride believes to be the longest-lasting gum. Absurd ads of people punching each other to spit out their gum have caught the attention of millions of viewers. Nonetheless, its failure to flourish in its original market has led the brand to seek more successful and distinctive subdivisions. Stride ID and Stride Shift have yet to reach a wide audience, but potential lingers in the tasty mist.

  • Average-sized pieces: 14 two-inch sticks wrapped in plastic (similar to Orbit)
  • Packaging: Frankly, the original case covers are a bit dull. A big fat "S" on the front is not clever, but slightly conceited. The paper-like packaging is also likely to be crushed in your bag. For quality packs, try Stride's separate products, such as Stride ID.
  • Popular Flavors: Spearmint, Sweet Peppermint, Nonstop mint, Kinectic Mint, Spark Kinectic Fruit, Whitemint, Mintacular, Fearless Fruit, Stride 2.0 flavors (updated version of their predecessors), Stride Shift flavors, Stride ID flavors

Best Mint Flavors:

  1. Extra Dessert Delights- Mint Chocolate Chip: By combining dessert with freshness, Extra's Mint Chocolate Chip labels itself as the supreme gum. It tastes exactly like Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream and you'll be indefinitely sad when the flavor begins to wear off.
  2. 5 Gum- Rain Spearmint and Cobalt Peppermint: With just enough mint to "tingle your senses," 5 Gum's spearmint and peppermint don't shock your taste buds, but sustain the airiness for an extended and perfected period of time.
  3. Stride 2.0- Spearmint: Even though the product fails to distinguish itself in taste, the strongest characteristic of its 2.0 version is its longevity.

Best Fruity Flavors:

  1. Trident Layers — Orchard Peach and Ripe Mango and Sweet Cherry and Island Lime: Although Orchard Peach and Ripe Mango is difficult to find in stores, the combination explodes your taste buds. The more common, Sweet Cherry and Island Lime, is just as tasty. Biting into each layer is like chewing candy before you swallow. Yum.
  2. Orbit Remixes- Strawberry, Tropical, and Apple: Simple, but to the point. Orbit Remixes aren't trying anything fancy and succeed in a fruity sensation through each of it's flavors.
  3. 5 Gum- 5 RPM Fruit: Often compared to the taste of energy drinks like Red Bull, RPM is good for a fruity pick-me-up.

Best Packaging and Presentation:

  1. Stride ID — Originally meant to capture the attention of teens, Stride ID packaging perfectly does so. The cases are held tight by a magnetic fold and each one has a unique, artistic drawing on the front.
  2. Trident Layers- A small, simply decorated, and easy pack that unfolds into two different sides and holds firmly together.
  3. Orbit- Some of Orbit's packaging, such as Orbit White's sliding sticks, is frustrating. However, in its original form, the smooth and sturdy cases are just what you need if you don't want to spend the extra money for 5 Gum.

Weirdest, but the Most Awesome Flavors:

  1. Extra Desserts — Rootbeer Float
  2. Trident Layers — Sweet Cherry and Island Lime
  3. 5 Gum — Vortex: Green Apple

Finally, I must address the question that each avid gum chewer ponders. Which brand has the longest-lasting taste? Although countless elementary school science projects address this mystery, the answer remains subjective like the rest. Stride claims to own the title, but with the introduction of 5 gum within the past few years, opinions continue to change. Some believe it's Extra or Orbit. From fruity to minty, each flavor owns a unique longevity. Take my reviews into consideration and think before you chew.

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What Is the Best 5 Gum Flavor

Source: https://nyulocal.com/beggars-cant-be-chewers-a-guide-to-gum-selection-e0ab914674db