Spruce gum can be obtained from spruce trees, particularly from species like the Black Spruce or White Spruce. To harvest it, look for resinous areas on the tree's bark, where you can carefully scrape or collect the hardened gum. Additionally, some specialty shops or online retailers may sell spruce gum products, often used for chewing or in herbal remedies. Always ensure that collection is done sustainably and in accordance with local regulations.
In 1848 John Curtis of Maine started producing the first commercial spruce gum
The gum was made from the resin of spruce trees
State of Maine Pure Spruce Gum in 1848.
Maine is credited with the invention of modern chewing gum in 1848 when John B. Curtis created a chewing gum product made from spruce tree resin. Curtis marketed his gum, known as "State of Maine Pure Spruce Gum," which gained popularity and laid the foundation for the chewing gum industry.
John Curtis made the first commercial spruce gum
American settlers chewed gum from spruce trees because it was more readily available and abundant in North America, particularly in the northeastern regions where spruce trees were common. Unlike mastic trees, which are native to the Mediterranean region, spruce trees provided a local source of natural gum. The sap from spruce trees was not only accessible but also had a pleasant flavor and texture that made it appealing for chewing. This practice became part of early American culture and laid the groundwork for the development of commercial chewing gum.
John Curtis made the first commercial spruce gum
In 1848, John B. Curtis made and sold the first commercial chewing gum called the State of Maine Pure Spruce Gum.
Believe it or not, chewing gum in various forms has existed since at least the Neolithic period. 5,000 year old chewing gum with tooth imprints, made of birch bark tar, has been found in Finland. The bark tar of which the gums were made is believed to have antiseptic properties and other medicinal advantages. The ancient Mayans used chicle as a base for making a gum-like substance. Women in particular used this gum as a mouth freshener. Also, the Florentine Codex refers to the use of chicle by women. Forms of chewing gums were also used in Ancient Greece. The Greeks chewed mastic gum, made from the resin of the mastic tree. Many other cultures have chewed gum-like substances made from plants, grasses, and resins. The American Indians chewed resin made from the sap of spruce trees. The New England settlers picked up this practice, and in the early 1880s attempts were made to commercially market spruce gum. Around 1850 a gum made from paraffin wax was developed and soon exceeded the spruce gum in popularity. Modern chewing gum was first developed in the 1860s when chicle was imported from Mexico for use as a rubber substitute. Chicle did not succeed as a replacement for rubber, but as a gum it soon dominated the market. Chicle gum, and gum made from similar latexes, had a smoother and softer texture and held flavor better. In 1848, John B. Curtis developed and sold the first commercial chewing gum called The State of Maine Pure Spruce Gum. William Semple filed the first patent on chewing gum on December 28, 1869.
gum is the oldest candy in the worldgum can be chewed not meant for swallowingThe first commercial chewing gum - State of Maine Spruce Gum - was introduced in 1848 by John B. Curtis.There are more than 1,000 varieties of gum manufactured and sold in the United States.Sugarless or sugar-free gums first entered the marketplace in the early 1950s.
The ancient Greeks chewed Mastiche, the ancient Mayans chewed chicle, and North American Indians chewed the sap from spruce trees.Thomas Adams is credited with inventing Chewing Gum from chicle in 1869.However, John Curtis invented the first commercial chewing gum in 1848, called State of Maine Pure Spruce Gum.And William Semple became the first person to patent chewing gum on December 28, 1869.Walter Diemer invented the first commercially sold bubble gum in 1928 based on a recipe originally developed by Frank Henry Fleer. he also liked it
In the 1800's Indians would chew on resin from spruce trees, settlers picked it up from them and in 1848 John Curtis created the first commercially available chewing gum. It was spruce flavored.