Jelly Belly, headquartered in Akron, New York, is celebrating National Chewing Gum Day on Sept. 30 with its new sugar-free gum in four flavors including Very Cherry, Watermelon, Island Punch and Berry Blue.
Jelly Belly enthusiasts can snag the new gum in a traditional blister pack of 12, found at Party City and Speedway locations across the country or on Amazon. A brand new 55-piece jar is now available at Dollar General locations in both the Watermelon and Berry Blue varieties.
In recognition of National Chewing Gum Day, Ford Gum – the makers of Jelly Belly Gum and creators of Big League Chew and Carousel gumball machines – are offering some facts about the history of gum, according to the National Day Calendar website:
- Chewing gum has been around for more than 5,000 years. In 2007, a British archaeology student discovered a 5,000-year-old piece of chewing gum made from bark tar with tooth imprints in it, which was presumed to be the oldest piece of chewing gum;
- Many other cultures chewed gum made from the resin of the mastic tree, from plants, grasses and other resins;
- In 1848, John B. Curtis developed and sold the first commercial chewing gum, which was called “The State of Maine Pure Spruce Gum;”
- Around 1850, a gum made from paraffin wax was developed and surpassed the spruce gum in popularity;
- Dec. 28, 1869, William Semple filed an early patent on chewing gum, patent number 98,304;
- Studies show chewing gum helps improve memory, reduce stress and increase alertness; and
- Chewing sugar-free gum improves overall oral hygiene, while also helping to curb cravings and improving digestion.
Jelly Belly Gum is encouraging everyone to celebrate National Chewing Gum Day and join the social conversation using #jellybellygum and #ChewingGumDay.
