Chewing gum

Chicle is a natural resin obtained from the Manilkara zapota tree, also known as sapodilla or chicozapote. Traditionally, chicle has been used as a base for making chewing gum due to its elastic and chewable texture. It is a natural ingredient that, before industrialization, was primarily extracted in tropical regions of Central America and Mexico.

The origin of chicle dates back to Mesoamerican indigenous cultures, who chewed this resin to clean their teeth and maintain fresh breath. Nowadays, although most commercial chewing gums use synthetic bases, natural chicle is still valued in artisanal or traditional preparations.

Regarding its properties, natural chicle is biodegradable and non-toxic. Furthermore, chewing it stimulates saliva production, which helps maintain oral hygiene and neutralize acids in the mouth, thereby benefiting dental health.

In different Spanish-speaking countries, chicle may be known by various synonyms, such as chewing gum (general), chicle, natural chewing gum, or simply gum. In some regions of Latin America, it is also colloquially known as chicle or mascarilla, although the latter term may vary in its usage.