Bubble gum elicits a unique memory for everyone. Maybe you recall sharing it with friends during recess, buying a large pack with tooth fairy money, or trying your first piece of blue raspberry Hubba Bubba only to lose that juicy flavor after a few minutes. This quickly diminishing taste seems to be a universal experience — bubble gum is notorious for losing its essence within minutes of popping a piece into your mouth, but why? It has to do with the specific ingredients.
The core ingredients in bubble gum are gum base, sweeteners, flavorings, softeners, and artificial coloring. While the gum base is long-lasting and doesn't dissolve with saliva, the sweeteners and flavorings that initially spike your interest are water-soluble, making bubble gum lose its flavor quickly. The base provides the "chew," creating elasticity that allows for bigger bubbles, while sweeteners and flavorings make the gum taste good and give it that that many bubble gums are known for.
Softeners like glycerin keep the gum pliable, while artificial coloring makes it visually appealing by dyeing the individual pieces enticing shades of pink. How bubble gum ingredients make for a short-lived flavor experience Gum base is made from a combination of waxes, resin, and elastomers. The elasticity and stretch that come from the gum base allow the bubble gum to withstand repeated chewing without breaking down.
That's why you could technically munch on the same piece of gum for hours without it dissolving in yo.