Blackjack Gum
If you are lucky enough to find a pack of Blackjack gum in your local candy shop, be sure to give it a try. This popular stick gum was first developed in 1869 and has a very colorful history. Often spelled Black Jack, this gum features the flavor of aniseed. It is certainly an acquired taste.
Black Jack Gum and the Alamo?
Some might find it hard to believe that Blackjack gum has a connection to the Texas War of Independence from Mexico and the legendary Alamo. The leader of the Mexican armies, General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna was exiled after the war and wound up living in New Jersey. Santa Anna always had hopes of returning to his homeland. To finance that return, he planned to sell the chicle he had brought with him to the United States.
Chicle is a gum that can be collected from various trees that grow in Mexico. Santa Anna was fond of chewing it himself. The general ultimately convinced a young inventor named Thomas Adams to buy the chicle. Adams’ original plan was to vulcanize the chicle into rubber. When this failed, he aimed lower and decided to create a chewing gum. The result was Black Jack.
How Does Blackjack Gum Taste?
From the very beginning Blackjack Gum had a very unique flavor. Aniseed and sarsaparilla are a part of the mix, as is licorice flavoring. Some claim that the gum tastes like black licorice. It was the first flavored gum to be offered in the United States, and also the first stick gum. Blackjack gum was sold from 1884 until the 1970s.
After its initial run, the gum appeared once again in 1986. It was also reintroduced in 2019. The unique gum retains its popularity to this day. It is often seen in the company of other brands of gum, specifically Clove and Beeman’s.
Pop Culture and Gum
It should come as no surprise to most people that gum and pop culture are linked together. For many years gum has been included in packs of baseball cards. This tradition has only recently disappeared because collectors no longer wish to have oily residue from the gum left behind on one of their cards.
Popular television shows have also mentioned Blackjack gum. Seinfeld is just one example. What is curious is that the gum has no specific relationship to the game of blackjack as it is played in casinos and online. There is very little information to be found about how the chewing gum got its name.
It is certainly true that you can enjoy a stick of blackjack gum while you play your favorite casino game. You can also wear some Blackjack Jewelry and even order a Blackjack Pizza if there is a location in your area. There are many applications here for the fan of blackjack.
Why Blackjack is Such a Popular Name
This would lead us to ask, why is blackjack such a popular name. We would argue that the mystique and appeal of the card game makes it fashionable. There is something about “blackjack” which hints at the dangerous and the exciting.
As a name for a gum, jewelry, or pizza, blackjack would conjure up images of individuals that like to live on the wild side. They want to experience all the fun elements of life. It is very easy to visualize someone at the blackjack table who is wearing flashy Blackjack Jewelry or enjoying a piece of Blackjack Pizza. You can also see the player finishing it all off with a stick of Blackjack Gum to cleanse the palette.
If you haven’t tried it, we suggest getting a pack for your next online blackjack session. It can also be helpful if you are in a live casino environment where others at the blackjack table are not smoking.
To play blackjack for money online we recommend that you try one of the recommended casinos. You can read the Lucky Red Casino review, Casino Max review, Miami Club review, or Roaring 21 review to name a few.
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