Abstract: A method of making chewing gum includes the steps of a) preparing a gum base concentrate having a composition useful for preparing a variety of finished gum bases and chewing gums, and b) combining the gum base concentrate with remaining gum base ingredients, and other chewing gum ingredients, in a single efficient continuous mixer.

Abstract: A dual composition hard coated chewing gum is provided, which exhibits improved long-term shelf stability under storage conditions involving constant exposure to the moisture contained in the atmosphere. The dual composition hard coated chewing gum is ideally suited for pellet chewing gum having pellet shapes which cannot be easily protected from atmospheric moisture by packaging. The dual composition hard coated chewing gum has a gum center which includes a gum base, a bulk portion and one or more flavoring agents. The dual composition hard coated chewing gum also has an outer coating which includes layers which contain from about 50 to about 100% of at least two different polyols preferably lactitol, maltitol, hydrogenated isomaltulose or erythritol. A method of preparing the dual composition hard coated chewing gum is also provided. Lactitol, maltitol or hydrogenated isomaltulose is preferably applied first, and the covered with an erythritol coating.

Abstract: A chewing gum product comprises a gum pellet covered by a hard coating containing erythritol. The coating may be a homogeneous material built up of layers from a single coating syrup containing erythritol, or it may be a coating comprising two or more layers of different compositions, wherein at least one of the layers contains erythritol. The coating prevents the gum pellet from picking up moisture. The coating is particularly useful in making sugarless gum products.

Abstract: Chewing gum containing gum base, powdered erythritol, flavor and less than 2% moisture has an improved shelf life, i.e., does not absorb significant amounts of water from the atmosphere to soften with age, or give off significant amounts of water to the atmosphere to harden or stiffen with age.

Abstract: A stabilized gum base and chewing gum are prepared using techniques that significantly reduce the amount of antioxidant lost during manufacture. As a result, the gum base and chewing gum include at least about two-thirds, and preferably three-fourths, of the amount of antioxidant initially added during manufacture of the gum base. The improved antioxidant retention is accomplished primarily using mixing techniques which significantly reduce the average mixing time needed to prepare a homogeneous gum base, and further by integrating the manufacture of gum base and chewing gum into a single continuous mixer.

Abstract: Chewing gum compositions including a liquid dispersion containing aspartame and methods of making the compositions are disclosed. The liquid dispersion contains at least 20% aspartame, and preferably contains about 50% aspartame and about 50% water.

Abstract: A chewing gum product is provided with a rolling compound containing erythritol and an anticaking agent, such as talc. The angle of repose of the rolling compound is less than 30.degree.. Preferably the rolling compound comprises about 40% to about 95% erythritol, about 0.5% to about 10% anticaking agent and about 4.5% to about 50% of another polyol selected from the group consisting of maltitol, lactitol, mannitol and xylitol.

Abstract: Chewing gum containing gum base, erythritol and flavor, but which is free of added water and hygroscopic ingredients, is environmentally stable, i.e., does not absorb significant amounts of water from the atmosphere to soften with age, or give off significant amounts of water to the atmosphere to harden or stiffen with age.

Abstract: A method of making a hygroscopic chewing gum is provided which results in improved gum texture, better dimensional stability and reduced moisture pick-up by the hygroscopic ingredients. The hygroscopic ingredients are added and blended with the gum base in a mixer, for at least about one minute before the bulk sweeteners are added. Fats and/or emulsifiers, and colors, may be added along with the hygroscopic ingredients and blended with the gum base. After the hygroscopic ingredients have been mixed with the gum base, bulk sweeteners and other chewing gum ingredients are added to the mixer and blended.

Abstract: A method of making zein coated, high-potency sweeteners or other gum ingredients that does not use alcohol is disclosed. A solution of zein and water at a pH of between about 11.5 and about 12.1 is prepared, containing between about 1% and about 25% by weight zein, and the aqueous zein solution is combined with a high-potency sweetener or other gum ingredients to form a zein-coated ingredient. The zein coated ingredient is then used to make chewing gum. Preferable coating steps include spray drying and fluid bed coating.