The Top Ten Strange and Unusual Japanese Chewing Gums

Posted August 25th, 2008 by Steve Levenstein

Chews your poison...

These Ten Strange and Unusual Japanese Chewing Gums are really not bad as chewing gum goes - some are actually quite good!

Japanese chewing gum differs from American chewing gum in many ways, and that probably is a result of the practical way Japan looks at chewing gum. Since it's merely chewed for a while and then disposed of, it just makes sense for chewing gum to serve some function, ANY function before being spat out. This way of thinking can produce some VERY strange and unusual types of chewing gum, and from them we've assembled this Top Ten list! Now then, let's get down to the good, the bad and the sticky!

10) No Time Gum: Eat Your Toothbrush!

No time to brush your teeth? No problem - if you've got No Time Gum! This multifunctional minty mélange contains tiny granules that scrub your teeth clean as a whistle while you chew. Is this cool, or what? Gum that works as hard as you do while saving you time and, presumably, dentist visits. I can just hear Mom now... "Chew your gum before going to bed!" (chewing gum via J-List)

9) "Man Smell" Gum - Not Just for Athletic Supporters

Yes, the title threw me too, but that's what "Otoko Kaoru" translates to. Luckily there's much more to it than that - like the previously mentioned Fuwarinka Scented Gum, Man Smell gum contains those special Rose oils that escape through your skin after chewing. This one exudes a manly Menthol Rose aroma, not just your average sweaty-guy funkiness. Let's be thankful for that, at least. (chewing gum via Food for Thought)

8) Chewing Gum with After-Wrappers - A Neat Idea

Perhaps frightened by word of the infamous Singapore Chewing Gum Ban and Caning Bylaw, the manufacturers of Xylish (pronounced "Zee-Lish") gum decided to add a packet of after-wrappers to their plastic jug o' gum. When you're ready to ditch your chaw, just wrap & toss into the nearest trashcan. This is actually a wonderful idea that other gum manufacturers should follow, it would save the look of our streets by giving people a viable gum disposal option instead of just spitting it out. (chewing gum via Betterdays)

7) Digi-Gum: 4 out of 5 Nutty Professors Agree!

More Xylish gum, this time in "Funky Orange" flavor. The gum itself isn't odd, but the character on the pack is... it sure looks a lot like Jerry Lewis in full-out Nutty Professor mode. Why "Digi-Gum"? Who knows, but doesn't that sound hip & trendy? The gum's active ingredient, Xylitol, is very popular in Japanese gums - it's sweet but doesn't cause tooth decay. (chewing gum via My So-Called Japanese Life)

Check out this cool Japanese TV chewing gum commercial!

6) Sparkle Ninja Chewing Gum, for Flamboyant Ninjas

Strawberry flavored Sparkling Ninja Chewing Gum isn't Japanese, it's just acting that way. I mean, who ever heard of a ninja in a pink outfit? Not that there's anything wrong with that... but isn't being un-noticeable the whole point of being a ninja? Then again, walking down most any major Japanese city street clad in sparkling pink tights isn't going to draw much attention these days anyway. (chewing gum via Mcphee)

5) Black Black Gum - Bigger and Blacker than Before

Didn't they used to sell black gum on the back pages of comic books? Or was it black soap? In any case, Black Black Gum is not for the faint of heart. Just ask Jean-Claude van Damme... the "Muscles from Brussels" promoted the macho chew in a series of Japanese TV ads. According to the print on the package, Black Black Gum has a "Hi Technical Taste". It also has caffeine, niacin and a really powerful licorice-mint taste, making it ideal for those late night cram sessions before a high technical college exam. (chewing gum via 3-Yen)

4) Xylish Platinum Mint Chardonnay Flavor - Smell Drunk, Stay Sober

So you're driving along on a dark evening, not a care in the world, until those telltale flashing lights appear - you've been pulled over by The Law. What NOT to do? Pop a stick of Xylish Platinum Mint "Chardonnay" Flavor Gum in your mouth while waiting for Officer Smith to sidle up alongside. Imagine the fun you'll have, watching him puzzle over the Breathalyzer readings while you exhale wine-breath into the tester yet one more time! Wine-flavored gum... puts those English "Wine Gums" to shame! And, it's the perfect way to disguise a visit to a bar. (chewing gum via Giant Jeans Parlor)

3) Fuwarinka Scented Gum: Come Out Smelling Like a Rose

Now here's a radical idea that, curiously, hasn't caught on outside Japan: gum that makes your breath AND your body smell good! Futuristic Fuwarinka Scented Gum contains the aromatic compounds geraniol and linalool which, when swallowed, waft either Fresh Citrus or Fruity Rose aromas through your skin! Just imagine how much money you'll save on cologne, aftershave and deodorant? (chewing gum via Compact Impact)

2) Sex Gum for Men: Like Chewable Viagra?

Suplitol Tongkat Ali Gum for Men contains a variety of natural herbs and extracts proven (they say) to improve blood flow and muscular function - and they don't mean in your arms, regardless of what the ad photo displays. The gum also contains something called "plant testosterone"... hey, have you ever seen a limp tree? (chewing gum via Get Bust Up Gum)

1) Bust Up Gum: It Blows Up Your Bubbles!

Sorry ladies, if you thought that a Japanese "sex gum for women" was going to be the complement of the just mentioned Suplitol Tongkat Ali Gum for Men, you're going to be sadly disappointed - and probably more than a little annoyed. Bust Up Gum, the female sex gum from B2UP, just makes the fairer sex more sexy - in the eyes of the opposite sex!

None of that blood flow stuff, noooo... according to B2UP, the special ingredients, "extracts from the Pueraria mirifica (Kwao Krua) plant, makes a woman's breasts grow as well as improving their shape and tone." I didn't know breasts HAD a tone - unless it's High C (or B Flat). Still, it's amazing... boob-enhancing gum. They could call it Double Bubble if the name wasn't already taken.

Bust Up gum is just the latest Japanese food product containing Pueraria extracts - others include F-Cup Tea and F-Cup Cookies. Can't say they're not confident in their products! Y'know, Bust Up gum has the potential to replace Ex-Lax chocolate as the snack schoolyard pranksters offer their unsuspecting targets. Can you imagine the expression on some poor proto-geek's face after being told he just chewed Bust Up gum? Let's hope that scenario remains in the field of imagination! (chewing gum via Medical News Today)

And there you have it, a dozen less two Japanese chewing gums you won't find at your local candy counter - for better or worse. Browse some of the better online stores like Rinkya to get some. I'm sure there are stranger, even more unusual Japanese chewing gums out there, somewhere, so please comment with your discoveries!

Steve Levenstein
Japanese Innovations Writer
InventorSpot.com

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Comments

#8 is not necessary.

Submitted on September 27th, 2007 by bottleslingguy

Why not just save the wrapper the gum came in and use that? I chew Wrigley's in the white or green package. The gum is in a foil wrapper with a white paper sleeve around each piece. When I'm somewhere I can't just spit the gum in a trash can I save that part and use it for the chewed gum. The problem with that is I usually forget it in my pocket and it winds up in the washing machine.

"The real difficulty in changing any enterprise lies not in developing new ideas but in escaping from the old ones." Maynard Keynes

Oh yeah! Please check out my Bottle Sling - Invention Gallery .

foiled again!

Submitted on September 27th, 2007 by Steve Levenstein

Interesting point - but this particular gum, like many Japanese chewing gums, doesn't come in a wrapper. Instead, it's packaged in a plastic jug a bit bigger than a pill bottle. No wrappers = nothing to after-wrap with. Necessary AND thoughtful, i'd say!

#8

Submitted on September 27th, 2007 by NewAgeCrisis (not verified)

I think if we tried to market that in America, all wed hear is people saying " check this out yo! Gum with FREE POST ITS!" College kids dream baby

Excellent stuff. I think i

Submitted on September 27th, 2007 by Roaf (not verified)

Excellent stuff.

I think i may have been unwittingly chewing "bust-up gum," judging by my man-boobs. It's probably just the beer, though. I'll have to get myself some of that "sex gum for men."

just the beer

Submitted on September 27th, 2007 by Steve Levenstein

I was searching for beer gum but couldn't find any by press time - i'm certain it's out there though. They have Beer Caramels, and they even have a measurable alcohol content. Heckuva place, Japan...

Ninja!

Submitted on September 28th, 2007 by Jamaipanese (not verified)

may I have some Ninja Gum Please ^_^

Sex gum

Submitted on September 28th, 2007 by Body Beauty

That's funny :)

In Japan even gum technology is cutting edge

Submitted on October 4th, 2007 by Paul Graham (not verified)

Just seeing Black Black again kind of makes me a little queasy. That stuff is the most revolting food product I have ever placed into my mouth.

That Fuwarinka scented gum is highly disturbing, but next time I see a pack, I'm definitely trying it to see if it works.

wow

Submitted on August 27th, 2008 by Anonymous

I love new cool stuff

so this is kinda great! I mean, Bust Up Gum, I know a couple of girls that may help.

big ol titties

Submitted on August 28th, 2008 by Anonymous

gotta get my gf some of those "Double-bubbles"

Black Black!

Submitted on August 29th, 2008 by Anonymous

Black Black is good stuff. However, it doesn't have a licorice flavor at all. I'm a big fan of licorice, and this isn't it.

Tongkat Ali

Submitted on August 29th, 2008 by Anonymous

how about that tongkat ali gum. tongkat ali is a plant from Malaysia translated literally as Ali's (a person name) wooden stick. It's a local famous aphrodisiac. i don't think the extract is enough to put in the gum to have any real effect.

thank you !

Submitted on August 29th, 2008 by Anonymous

I have been living in Japan for more than 10 years and my wife is Japanese, none of us knew why there was a mini notepad in with gum, now we know

Soap Gum

Submitted on September 2nd, 2008 by Anonymous

My buddy went to japan and came back with soap gum. it doesn't actually taste like soap but it looks like a soap bar and fizzes in your mouth when you chew. pretty neat, i thought. in a related manner i like "apple gummy super juicy" --- little apple shaped gummies that are full of apple juice like little Japanese gushers

Platinum cwewing gum!! New!!

Submitted on September 10th, 2008 by Anonymous

Insiders of the company, on condition of anonymity, stated that SWAROVSKI has successfully won the bid over the other foreign MNC Giants for a multi-million dollar contract with Nanogum , to design and manufacture a unique crystal case for this exclusive platinum gum.

Senior officials in the Swarovski management in Austria, when contacted, were tight-lipped & refused to comment on the issue, but also did not deny the fact that a multi-million dollar deal was achieved.

When coerced for an answer by journalists, they too on condition of anonymity, smilingly, did accept the fact that a major multi-million dollar deal was clinched successfully with a Japanese company for exclusive rights for the design, manufacture & sale of crystal accessories and the result of the deal would be seen pretty soon in all of the major Swarovski showrooms.

They also said that it was too early for them to release any information regarding the multi-million dollar deal. Though all the clauses were agreed in principle and the stage had been set, the formalities and legalities of the deal were yet to be completed and the complete details of the deal would be released on a later date.

This deal has been reached with a luxurious brand name which is one of the most recent, unique chewing gum manufactured in Japan.

It contains the expensive, noble metal, Platinum as one of its exclusive ingredients. It is also termed as the modern "Elixir of life" for the longevity of youth.

The exclusiveness of the brand, is attributed to the high quality and exclusive colloidal Platinum Nanoparticles used in the manufacture specially created using the patented Japanese Nanotechnology by Japanese Nano-scientists.

Recent advances in the field of nano-technology by Japanese scientists has resulted in the latest innovation ,where colloidal platinum nano particles of sizes between the range of 2-3 nanometer in a colloidal solution when integrated into the chewing gum, impregnate anti-aging effects into the human body.

Ingenious new recipe, ultra high quality special ingredients which are imported from round the globe and used for the manufacture has evoked interest of the other market leaders.

Also the various new techniques used in the manufacture, creative craftsmanship displayed with a newer packing system stressing on safety and purity, storage facilities built just for the storage & authenticity checking option, State of art accessories made available to the consumers of Platinum Gum has emphasized the vision, commitment of the brand and captured the imagination of the press and the elite consumers alike.

http://ezinearticles.com/?A-Platinum-Deal---Amazing-Platinum-Life&id=143...

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