Topic: where does chewing gum come from？
Chewing gum has a long history that dates back thousands of years. The ancient civilizations of the Greeks, Mayans, and Aztecs all had various forms of chewing gum. However, today, the modern chewing gum we are familiar with traces its origins to the 19th century.
In the 19th century, a substance called chicle, derived from the sap of the sapodilla tree, was discovered in Central America. Chicle was found to have a pleasant taste and could be chewed for extended periods without losing its flavour. This discovery led to the development of the first commercially successful chewing gum.
Thomas Adams, an American inventor, created the first modern chewing gum. In the late 1860s, Adams was introduced to chicle and began experimenting. He eventually developed a machine to manufacture chewing gum and started selling it in 1871. This marked the beginning of the chewing gum industry.
Over time, the production and popularity of chewing gum grew. Different flavours, shapes, and brands were introduced, and chewing gum became a popular pastime and breath freshener. Today, chewing gum is made from various synthetic materials, including synthetic rubber, but chicle is still used in some gum brands.