Last July I made a posting here entitled Think Better with Chewing Gum. This article was picked up by a lot of sites in the blogosphere and continues to generate a good deal traffic.

On February 22nd of this year I received a notification to moderate the following comment on this post:

Author: Staff at Club Chew
E-mail: Beachclubbrands@aol.com
Want to think better with a smart, new gum? Try our gum, Club Chew (TM). Check out our website at www.clubchew.com, click the link for distributors, and send in your contact details for a free sample of our latest Sweet Corn gum. See just how smart you can be with the smartest new chewing gum!

I declined to approve their post and politely replied to them with the following:

Sorry, but I don’t normally approve comments that are directed at using my blog as a marketing opportunity unless the comment also contributes significantly to the original post topic.

Since my article on “Think Better with Chewing Gum” has received a lot of interest in the blogosphere, I do have an offer that may work for both of us. If I can get a pack of each of your flavors, I am willing to write a review of your product as a blog article (instead of as a buried comment). This could do quite a bit to increase your brand image. Be aware, however, that I will give
your product a very honest review.

If you are interested in this offer, you can send the samples to me at:
[Address Deleted]

Thank you,
Ricky Spears

They replied back saying:

Will send! We only have Sweet Corn available.
Many thanks
Club Chew

A couple days later, an entire box (24 packs) of Club Chew Sweet Corn Gum arrived. I thought that they would send a pack or two but I never expected an entire box! The folks at Club Chew had already started out exceeding my expectations. This was a good sign.

I eagerly tore off the celophane wrapping from the case and pulled out a box. the colors, marking, and text on the box had a nostalgic feel to it. It reminded me of something that might have been designed in the late 40’s or early 50’s, which I thought was rather novel.

Although the box had markings for where to open it, I couldn’t seem to get it to tear. The cardboard was rather thick and it just crushed when I pressed on it. I ended up tearing open the glued end with my fingernail, which was relatively easy.

I poured a few pieces into my hand and they had a very pleasant look to them. Club Chew Sweet Corn Gum is what I refer to as a “Chicklet®-type” gum. It has a very shiney, bright yellow outer casing. Since I usually chew two-pieces of “stick-type” gum at a time, I will typically chew three pieces of “Chicklet®-type” gum since it seems to be a little smaller.

I popped the three pieces of Sweet Corn Gum in my mouth and instantly received an intense rush of buttered corn flavor! Man, this stuff really tasted like real buttered corn! It reminded my a lot of Buttered Popcorn flavored Jelly Belly jelly beans. Although the flavor was very realistic, I didn’t find myself very attracted to it—I wouldn’t find myself craving it or saying, “Man, I really want some Sweet Corn Gum.”

This immense burst of flavor quickly disipates, however—after about 1 to 2 minutes. I could continue to chew it with very minimal flavor for about another 8 to 10 minutes but that was about it. In stark contrast, I typically chew the same two pieces of Orbit gum for an hour or so. Quite often I will get invovled in my work, or a meeting, and realize that I’ve been chewing it for over two hours and it still has a good flavor.

Since the folks at Club Chew sent me an entire box, I decided to share it with some of my friends. I had them email me their initial comments of Club Chew’s Sweet Corn Gum, and the comments of anyone they shared it with. Here is what they had to say about it (please note that many of these people are not as objective as I and some of them didn’t even have any idea that they were about to try a gum designed to taste like corn):

“Oh my gosh, what is this?” – Melody

“What is this stuff?” – John

“It really is corn flavored! The unpleasant taste at “first-chew” may just be the result of an unexpected flavor from the gum-world. I cannot say that I would purchase this product. It lacks appeal, but thanks for letting me try it.” – Will

“Yuk!”- John

“The corn flavor gum was a interesting novelty, and may be popular as a flavor kids may use as a trick on their friends. The taste however is rather disgusting, and I can’t imagine anyone buying it for anything other than trying to trick someone. I would not recommend buying the East Coast distribution rights.” – Terry

“It made me gag. Nasty! Awful!” – Jeanette

“It DOES taste like corn, which is very unusual for chewing gum. I gave it a good try and chewed it for a couple of minutes, and the taste pretty much is gone by then. It is just a “novelty” item though and I don’t think the company would last long if this gum is the only product they will market!” – Ann

“That gum was awful. I spit it our after no more than three chews. It tasted worse than buttered popcorn that had been sitting around about 5 or 6 days uncovered.” – Ella

“Didn’t like it at all! Tasted like Green Giant niblet corn straight out of the can! Yuk!” – Kelly

“I would not buy stock in that company if I were you. YUCK, YUCK” – Jackie

“I tasted the gum, and I think it tasted like a stick of butter…my cholesterol started to rise!” – Jenn

“It tasted like corn.” – Julie

“Well, What can I say…..it did taste like corn, however I felt as if I had a slab of butter in my mouth. I did not care for it at all!!!” – Emily

“We tried the Sweet Corn, it was fun for a novelty and a conversation starter, but probably not an everyday gum.” – David

“I ,being a vegetarian thought it was fine-I actually liked it and thought the taste was a nice change. A few others I let try it, however, thought it tasted like they were licking an empty can of corn!” – Heather

“I shared my gum with several members of my family, here were the responses: ‘It’s pretty good.’ ‘Taste like squash, I wouldn’t buy it.’ My Mother said that it stuck to her teeth (she’s 85)” – Nellie

“I actually liked the chewing gum, however, I did not like the fact that the flavor was gone and was not worth chewing after about 1 minute. 4 more of my family members tried the gum and two of them did not like it and the other two almost threw up. You know what is funny? After chewing about 3 pieces….I was smelling buttered corn/popcorn everywhere….it was weird.” – Jennifer

“This stuff is NASTY. It lasted maybe 5 seconds in my mouth, had to spit it out. Hope it’s not your latest invention, if so, count me out of that market.” – Perry

“That is the worst. I only made it thru 2 chews.” – Judy

“I wasn’t disgusted by it, I just don’t want corn as a chewing gum. It isn’t one of the flavors I would pick.” – Sandy

“I think it’s good” – Margie

“Arf, arf.” – Muffin the dog who actually likes corn and probably thought it was a big Nibblett.

I think one of the reasons that the gum wasn’t very well received is because when most people bite into a piece of chewing gum they expect some type of “mint” or “sweet candy” flavor, rather than a more vegetable-like flavor. I shared with many of my testers that Club Chew also offered Punkin and Green Tea flavors but were out of them at the time that I received these samples. Most people tended to think that both of these sounded more appetizing than Sweet Corn, probably because of the sweetness they associate with these flavors. Yes, corn is sweet, but it is a different kind of sweetness.

In conclusion I really admire Club Chew’s innovative spirit. We need more companies that are willing to attempt radically different things. Sometimes you find a winner, and sometimes you find a loser, but if people don’t develop and try new things, humanity will cease to grow and evolve. I believe that Club Chew is fulfilling a tiny niche market in novelty chewing gum, and doing a great job at it. Hard core corn lovers looking for a quick and sharp “corn fix” will love this gum. If you get a chance to try the Sweet Corn Gum, or any of their other flavors, I encourage you to pick up a pack and try it—keep an open mind and remember that this will be unlike any gum chewing experience you’ve ever had before. I believe that it’s supposed to be a new and adventurous experience. I would welcome an opportunity to try the Punkin and Green Tea flavors. If I happen to see them in the store, I’ll pick them up and try them. I wish Club Chew the best and hope that they continue to develop new flavors and expand in their niche market.