Black Jack gum

What it is

Anise (licorice) flavored chewing gum.

The story

• 1884: first made by Thomas Adams of Staten Island, New York.
• 2019: back on sale.

Fun facts

• The first flavored gum in the US and the first gum sold in sticks (1884).
• Adams got his chicle from exiled Mexican president Santa Anna in 1869.
• It disappeared in the 1970s and came back in 1986, and again in 2019.

Is Black Jack gum still made?

Yes, again. Black Jack gum disappeared for a while and came back in 2019. Today it is made by Gerrit J. Verburg Co.. Look for it at candy shops that stock old-fashioned candy, or search for Black Jack gum on Amazon.

If you like Black Jack gum

• Beemans gum (1890): A mild, slightly peppery gum first sold as a digestive aid with pepsin.
• Clark's Teaberry gum (1900): Pink stick gum with a minty, wintergreen-like teaberry flavor.
• Clove gum (around 1914): A warm, spicy clove-flavored stick gum.
• Dubble Bubble (1928): The original pink bubble gum, in twist wrappers with comics.

See every candy from the Before 1900 or all chewing gum.