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I got my wild cherry diet Pepsi, and I got my Black Jack gum here, and I got that feeling, mmm that familiar feeling, that something rank is going down up there. -- Hard Harry, Pump up the Volume
Have you ever been swayed by a strange plug in a film or show? I'm not talking about the oft-chugged can of coke, but rather the product you've never heard of? After I saw Christian Slater chowing down on Black Jack gum, I was curious, despite my then large distaste for licorice. But I never saw it on the shelves until I walked into an old ice cream shop a few years later and saw it amongst the pile of trendy retro candies. I became an instant convert to the black gum that had the creamy release of licorice, followed by the old-school, hours-long longevity that gum fails to live up to these days.
But this is truly retro. Black Jack is the first flavored gum in America, made by Thomas Adams in 1884. This is also the first gum to come in sticks -- a mainstay that lives to this day. The brand was made until the 1970s, and now only gets limited releases every few years. Luckily, it freezes quite well. Yes folks, if you're like me and can't stand the thought of being without during Black Jack's long absences, you can freeze it and take out a pack as needed. It wards off that unpleasant hard gum staleness, and stays nice, soft, and tasty. I've had packs in my freezer for years -- they're still good!
With the wonderful Internet, you can find it quite easily these days. (Next production begins in the Fall of 2009.) Halloween sweets might be catered to the kids, but that doesn't mean we can't indulge in a little retro deliciousness. Be sure to also check out Eric Diesel's retro candy post and Classic Candy from last year, which lists the wonderful Black Jack.
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10-30-2008 @4:56PM SaraFist said... When I would spend summers with my dad as a child, the only non sugar-free gums we were allowed were Black Jack, Beeman's, and Clove Gum. They're the best.
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12-31-2008 @12:57PM Dee said... Agreed the Black Jack product is great but back in the early seventies there was another licorice flavoured gum named Black Cat it was taken off the market due to ppl getting ill from some of the ingredients and if my memory serves me well this was made in England...growing up in the 60's this was without a doubt one of my fondest memories when retro candy is the subject of topic......
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