Bubble Yum - Original

Background

Bubble Yum has an awesome and fascinating history. According to the company, it was the “first soft bubble gum marketed in the U.S.” You’d probably assume it was dreamed up in some big lab. Nope, it was originally created by a housewife in a Missouri home back in 1975, who named it “rubber bubblegum.” Thankfully that name didn’t stick, but the recipe sure did. She had her son hand it out at school, it was a hit, and soon she was able to sell the recipe to Life Savers.

People instantly loved Bubble Yum because it really was different, a softer, longer-lasting alternative to the big competition of the day, Bazooka and Double Bubble. Experts credit it with a big boom in bubble gum sales between 1975 and 1979. That soft texture meant you could chew with ease and skip the sore jaw. Rivals took notice, and competitors like Bubblicious and Hubba Bubba soon emerged.

Spider Eggs?!

In 1977, a nasty rumor spread that Bubble Yum’s super-secret softening ingredient was spider eggs. It got serious enough that the Life Savers Company took out a full-page ad in the New York Times to debunk it. In 1984, comedian and writer Paul Krassner took credit (and responsibility) for starting it.

Hershey Buys Bubble Yum

Bubble Yum was kicking butt in the 1980s and became the #1-selling gum in the world. The brand changed hands a few times through mergers and acquisitions, and in 2000 The Hershey Company bought it in a $135 million deal (about $240m today) that also included Ice Breakers, Carefree, Fruit Stripe, and Breath Savers. Bubble Yum still lives with Hershey, the kiss company.

What’s Up With the Duck?

His name is Floyd, and it’s a good thing you didn’t call him a goose; we hear that really bothers him. Floyd, the punk-rocking duck, has been the Bubble Yum mascot since a 1990s ad campaign. Bubble Yum was especially marketed to young people, and the idea of “blowing your own bubble” appealed to the rebellious spirit of teens. Floyd is still on every package today, a true pioneer in duck-based advertising who paved the way for others, like the Aflac duck.

Want to see the real Floyd in action? Here ya go:

Fun Facts

A couple of fun ones before we get to the review.

Fun Fact #1: A young Leonardo DiCaprio once starred in a Bubble Yum commercial, check the back half of this ad:

Fun Fact #2: Pete Carroll, the famous football coach, is constantly chewing gum, he’s kind of famous for it. Want to know what kind? “I’m a Bubble Yum guy.”, Pete Carroll.

Our Take

Bubble Yum is a legend, and probably deserves a spot on the Mount Rushmore of bubble gums for its history, innovation, popularity, and, of course, Floyd. But what did the Bubble Bunch think? We tested a standard one-piece serving (8.5g).

It’s called Bubble Yum for a reason, everyone agreed on a rich, classic bubble-gum flavor. You know those bubble-gum-flavored Jelly Belly jelly beans? We bet this is the gum they used as the flavor target.

Flavor duration is decent: most of it is gone in just under ten minutes. Not too shabby.

Texture is where Bubble Yum earns a perfect score. That soft texture is what made it so innovative in the first place, and it strikes a great balance of soft and firm, plus it doesn’t stick to your face. Burst a big bubble and it comes right off your honker. Nailed it.

On bubbles, it’s solid. Reviewers noted “nice thick walls” and “big bubbles,” especially after about five minutes of chewing, most landing around tennis-ball size, with the experts among us reaching softball territory. That generous 8.5g portion certainly helps.