Glee Gum Review: My Honest Thoughts on This Plastic-Free Chewing Gum

As someone who loves exploring natural products, I recently stumbled upon Glee Gum by Mazee LLC. Based in the US and woman-owned, Glee Gum positions itself in the natural gum category. Given its promises of sustainable packaging and healthier ingredients, I decided to give it a try. This review will walk you through my honest thoughts and experiences with the brand, covering everything from the packaging to the chewing experience. Whether you’re a gum enthusiast or just looking for a greener option, hopefully, this review will help you decide if Glee Gum is worth the try.

Packaging

One of the first things I noticed about Glee Gum was its unique packaging. They use biodegradable cellophane instead of plastic, making it compostable, along with recyclable cardboard boxes. The box resembles those of Simply Gum and True Gum, which I have tried before. The packaging is not just eco-friendly but also user-friendly. The boxes come with a neat flip-top, making them easy to open and close. This was a nice surprise as I hadn’t expected them to work as well as they did. However, it’s slightly disappointing that it doesn’t come with disposal paper, which can be inconvenient when you’re on the go. Despite this minor setback, the sustainable packaging is a significant win.

There are two versions available: one sweetened with xylitol and the other with cane sugar. Overall, the packaging felt sturdy and handy, fitting easily into my purse or pocket.

Quantity and Size

When you open a box of Glee Gum, you’ll find 16 small, chiclet-shaped pieces. This kind of brought back some childhood memories for me, as these pieces reminded me of classic Chiclets. However, be prepared to chew more than one piece at a time; I often found myself needing 2-3 pieces to get a satisfying chew. This could be a drawback if you prefer larger or stick-shaped gum. On the brighter side, some flavors also come in a 55-piece resealable pouch, which is great if you’re looking to stock up.

Ingredients

What sets Glee Gum apart is its commitment to natural ingredients. The gum is gluten-free, Non-GMO, Vegan, and Kosher, which is excellent if you have specific dietary restrictions. There’s no aspartame or artificial sweeteners in either version, which is a big plus for me. They use a chicle gum base made from the sapodilla trees in Central America and sweeten with either xylitol from Birch trees or cane sugar.

The ingredient list is short, which I always appreciate. The xylitol version is particularly appealing to me due to its dental health benefits, like neutralizing pH levels in the mouth and reducing cavity risks. On the flip side, using real sugar can feed bacteria in your mouth—potentially causing bad breath and negatively impacting oral health.

Caloric Content

If you’re conscious about your intake, the caloric content of Glee Gum might interest you. Each serving size is two pieces, totaling 2.5 grams. It contains 2 grams of carbs, all from sugar alcohols, and is only about 2.5 calories per piece. Unless you’re chewing an enormous amount, these won’t really impact your daily calorie count. This makes Glee Gum an appealing option for those watching their calorie intake.

Flavor Choices

Glee Gum offers a variety of flavors that are subtle yet tasty. Some of the flavors you can choose from include Spearmint, Watermelon, Tangerine, Wintergreen, Peppermint, Cinnamon, Bubblegum, Mixed Berry, and Lemon Lime.

In my experience, the Bubblegum flavor is a hit, especially with kids. On the other hand, the Cinnamon flavor was a bit too intense and clove-like for my taste. Surprisingly, my favorite flavors turned out to be Spearmint and Bubblegum. While I found the Watermelon and Tangerine to be quite refreshing, the Cinnamon and Spearmint variations didn’t quite hit the mark for me due to their overpowering taste.

Overall, the flavors cater to different tastes, so there’s likely something for everyone, though you might need to try a few to find your favorite.

Texture and Consistency

The texture and consistency of Glee Gum have their highs and lows. On one hand, the gum base made from natural chicle gives it a classic chewy feel that is unique compared to modern gum formulations. However, this natural texture comes with some drawbacks. The gum itself tends to disintegrate within about 12-15 minutes of chewing, which can be a bit off-putting if you’re looking for long-lasting consistency.

The consistency is another area where Glee Gum could improve. It can get quite sticky, often sticking to teeth and dental work, making it a poor choice for anyone with composite fillings or dental appliances. At times, I even felt an urge to swallow the gum due to its soft, cheese-like texture. Additionally, blowing bubbles with this gum is not recommended as it tends to stick to your lips and hands.

Chewing Experience

The overall chewing experience with Glee Gum is a mixed bag. For starters, it’s great for cleaning teeth between meals when brushing isn’t an option. However, the gum tends to soften excessively and almost falls apart after a few minutes of chewing. This quick breakdown significantly affects the pleasure of chewing for longer periods.

Moreover, the gum’s tendency to stick can be particularly annoying and messy, especially when you want to dispose of it. Interestingly, despite these drawbacks, many users still enjoy the initial chew due to the satisfying bite provided by the chicle base.

Flavor Longevity

The flavor longevity of Glee Gum is another area requiring improvement. While they offer a delightful range of natural flavors, the taste fades quickly—usually within 2-5 minutes. The lack of artificial ingredients and the use of natural flavors are commendable, contributing to a more genuine taste. However, if you’re looking for long-lasting flavor, you might find yourself chewing multiple pieces to keep the taste going.

Environmental Impact

One of Glee Gum’s standout features is its strong commitment to environmental sustainability. Both the gum and its packaging are made from biodegradable materials, avoiding the environmental pitfalls associated with synthetic gum bases and plastic packaging. This means it doesn’t contribute to microplastic pollution. For someone like me who tries to minimize plastic use, this is a significant benefit. Knowing that my gum choice isn’t harming the environment makes chewing Glee Gum a guilt-free experience.

Price and Value

In terms of price, Glee Gum is fairly reasonable. Each box costs around $1, which is competitive considering its quality and eco-friendliness. You can also opt for a variety pack if you want to try all the flavors before settling on your favorites. One downside is that consuming two pieces at a time can increase your unit cost. However, they do offer bulk options with 55-piece pouches, which could be more cost-effective in the long run. Free shipping on orders over $35 within the US is another nice perk, although I wish they had a subscription option for regular users.

Overall Rating

Glee Gum stands out as a thoughtful and eco-friendly alternative to conventional chewing gums, boasting natural ingredients and sustainable packaging. While it excels in environmental responsibility, it does have a few drawbacks, such as a short-lived flavor and a tendency to stick to teeth and dental appliances. If you seek a gum that offers a satisfying chew and can overlook these minor inconveniences, Glee Gum is a worthwhile choice. Just be sure to consume it in moderation to avoid potential laxative effects from the xylitol. Pet owners should also be careful when using this gum around dogs and ensure proper disposal of used pieces to avoid any health risks to pets.