Why You Won't Be Able To Guess The Flavor Of Juicy Fruit Gum

Ah, Juicy Fruit. The legendary, ubiquitous chewing gum brand with an electric yellow hue and a burst of sweet, fruity flavor that lives up to its name. Invented well over a century ago in 1893 by Chicago-based candy company Wrigley, Juicy Fruit has been a go-to gum brand for consumers across generations, as per the National Museum of American History.

But what on earth is Juicy Fruit's actual flavor? It has to be some sort of fruit medley, right? If you've ever taken a close look at the packaging, there are no images of fruits that provide any hints as to what the gum should taste like. According to Mental Floss, a gum wrapper from 1946 simply described it as "a fascinating artificial flavor." If you've ever chewed a piece of Juicy Fruit, chances are you've wondered what in the world your taste buds are experiencing. If you've ever been in this perplexing situation, you're definitely not alone. Here's why.

As it turns out, Wrigley has never revealed Juicy Fruit's flavor. Back in 2002, a curious fan emailed Wrigley asking what the notes of Juicy Fruit were. According to Mental Floss, they received a response back that read, "I'm afraid we can't be very specific because, for competitive reasons, we consider our Juicy Fruit flavoring formula to be a trade secret. I can, however, tell you that the mixture of fruit flavors in Juicy Fruit is comprised of predominantly lemon, orange, pineapple, and banana notes." 

Chewers of Juicy Fruit have even gone so far as to speculate whether the flavor comes from jackfruit, a tropical Southeast Asian fruit with sweet, tangy, meaty notes. According to chemists who have examined the gum, Juicy Fruit may have a jackfruit-like aroma due to the presence of the chemical isoamyl acetate. Often referred to as banana oil, isoamyl acetate is a common ingredient in standard bubblegum, as well as perfumes, nail polish, and even beer, according to Chemoxy. However, similarly to the classic pink bubblegum flavor, we may never know the exact flavor profile for this chomp-worthy treat.