Step 1:
The gum base ingredients are melted together and filtered.
Step 2:
Powdered sugar, glucose syrup, flavoring and the other ingredients are slowly added to the gum base until the warm mix thickens like dough.
Step 3:
Machines called extruders are used to blend, smooth and form the gum.
Step 4:
It's time for the gum to be shaped. Gum can be flattened and cut into sticks, or squeezed into a rope shape and cut into chunks, or molded into shapes and candy coated.
Step 5:
After the gum is cut or molded into the appropriate shape, it is lightly sprinkled with powdered sweetener to keep it from sticking to machinery or packaging.
Step 6:
In a carefully temperature controlled room, the gum is cooled for up to 48 hours. This allows the gum to properly set.
Step 7:
If the gum is candy coated, like most gum balls or pellet gum, it is sprayed with liquid sweetener, allowed to dry and then sprayed again. This process is repeated several times until the candy shell reaches the proper thickness.
Step 8:
High speed machines carefully wrap and package the gum in air tight wrappers. This ensures the gum is fresh and soft when you open the pack. Then the gum is shipped to marketplaces and stores for people of all ages to enjoy.