Black Black
Black Black is a brand of caffeinated chewing gum produced in Japan and South Korea[citation needed] by Lotte. It has been sold since 1983,[1] and is popular in Japan, partially due to its well-known television commercials that star Jean-Claude Van Damme. It became popular in the United States after being mentioned in Wired Magazine.[2] The gum's name is derived from its charcoal-like color.
Ingredients include sugar, starch syrup, grape sugar, erisuritol, oolong tea extract, ginkgo extract, chrysanthemum flower extract, gum base, flavorings, coloring agents (cacao, gardenia), caffeine, and nicotinamide. A persistent urban legend holds that the gum contains nicotine, the misconception stemming from confusion with nicotinamide, a much different substance related to the B vitamins. The packaging contains some strangely phrased Engrish on the label that reads, "HI-TECHNICAL * EXCELLENT TASTE AND FLAVOUR". Some sticks also say "YES, CHEWING!".
In western Japan (Osaka, Shikoku, etc.) the gum sells for around 105 Yen a pack in most supermarkets and convenience stores.
In the United States, Black Black may be procured through a variety of mail order and online companies and in many Asian supermarkets.
Notes and references
- ^ "ロッテ 商品カタログ ガム, Lotte(Japan) products information of chewing gum" (in Japanese). Lotte (Japan). Retrieved 2008-01-25.
昭和58年6月に「眠気スッキリ！ブラックブラックガム」を発売 In June, Shōwa 58 (1983), the sales of black black gum started.
- ^ "What Wired staffers bought this month". Wired magazine. 2003. p. 1. Retrieved 2006-09-12.
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External links
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