Sugar Savvy

Wrigley’s seems to be taking its flavor cues from Bath and Body Works, circa 1998. Case in point: One of its latest offerings is Beary Pearberry, which reminds me of my go-to fragrance for several years—pearberry. On the recommendation of a friend who has been obsessed with it and whose gum preferences are usually aligned with Orbit’s mint-fruit hybrids, I grabbed a pack of it. Of late, I’m more inclined toward mints than gum; too much gum chewing tends to upset my stomach. But when asked why she likes it so much, she said, “Don’t get me started.” I wanted to see what the fuss was about.

When I regularly bought gum—this was before it was over $1 for a multipack–I’d alternate between Trident original flavor and Extra, the sugar-free gum that lasts an extra, extra, extra long time, in flavors peppermint or winterfresh. So let’s just say that my preferences typically lean toward the minty. One thing is certain - the aroma of this gum is overwhelming. Depending on how you feel about fruity flavors, that’s either a good thing or a bad thing. I put it in my purse, left my purse in my office and came back two hours later and it was the first thing I smelled when I opened the door. I thought for sure I’d left a piece of half-eaten apple out on my desk. But that was not the case.

It was the gum.

When you first bite into the pink stick, the flavor sort of gently explodes into a wash of berries with a subtle undercurrent of pears. It does retain its sweet, sugary, berry flavor for quite awhile. Most gums seem to lose their flavor in less than a half an hour, but Extra does not. When I first tried it, I was strategically chewing it while preparing for a dinner party to prevent myself from snacking idly. But unfortunately, I had to pitch it it because I had to periodically taste what I was cooking. Minor detail.

My conclusion? I’m still a mint-gum girl, but if I wanted something a little fruitier, I would definitely return to this. Like orange soda with pizza, some flavors are a match made in heaven. I think Berry Pearadise is a winning combination. Oh, and it also makes a decent bubble.