Tales from the Checkout Lane: Orbit Fabulous Fruitini


Fabulous Fruitini

I will admit that when it comes to gum, I’m fickle. It doesn’t take much to turn my head. I buy every new pack that catches my eye in the checkout lane, sometimes even against my better judgment. As was recently the case with Orbit’s new Fabulous Fruitini, one of the latest in a recent flurry of additions to Orbit’s stick-gum lineup.  

Holding the gum in my hand, waiting to pay for it, I had second thoughts right away. The smell, you see, was nearly overwhelming, even though the pack was still snugly wrapped in its little cellophane jacket. It had an aggressive, nearly hostile fruity scent, which was tinged with bitter undertones of artificial sweetener. When you can smell the Sorbitol, folks . . . it doesn’t exactly bode well for chewing pleasure. Still, I bought it. The color of the pack was cheery and I was really hoping that the Fabulous(ness) of the Fruitini was going to be a pleasant surprise.

Unfortunately, not so much. Initially, there was a burst of flavor that was perfectly predictable, given its scent. Which is to say, it tasted like fruit punch spiked with chemicals. That fruity flavor soon dissipated (”soon,” as in “within 2 minutes”), leaving behind a bitterness that lingered with admirable tenacity. I made the mistake of conducting this taste test while driving, and found myself imperiling road-crossing squirrels as I dove frantically through my purse for a tissue to deposit the gum in, suddenly sure I had completed what I considered a dutiful amount of chew time.   

Think I’m exaggerating? Maybe. But yesterday, desiring to unload the rest of the pack but not wanting to waste it, I offered it to my son and his friend, teenagers who will normally seize the opportunity to co-opt free gum. No takers.

Now, to be fair, I have to say that I like Orbit gum, generally speaking. I buy multipacks of the standard mint flavors on a regular basis. I find that the basic mint flavors hold their flavor well and don’t have any unpleasant aftertaste. If it weren’t for my fickle, wandering gum tooth, I guess I’d just stick with the conventional Orbit flavorsfrom now on. That is, once I get through the pack I’ve got sitting on my desk, exuding the powerful aroma of laboratory-manufactured fruit and waiting for my consarned gum tooth to dig right in.

Update: Moments ago, I offered the pack to my husband, who, chewing enthusiastically, commented, “Mmm, fruity . . . tastes like coconut! I like it!” I waited for approximately two minutes to elapse, then asked, “So, how do you like it now?” “Well, it’s not as flavorful as it was . . . it’s kind of losing its flavor . . . but I still like it.”

Great . . . no backsies! 



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May 22nd, 2008
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Comment Number:
1
Written by:
Pamela Dean
Posted on:
May 28, 2008 at 12:27 am

Ah man. I bought a pack of this gum yesterday and just took the cellophane off and smelled it, discovering the horrid scent. I handed it to my husband for him to smell it and after doing so, he threw it at me!

I then came online to try to find out what the flavor is supposed to be before braving putting a piece in my mouth and found your review. I was really hoping to find out that it actually tastes good despite the smell. Now I am REALLY scared to try it.

I like Orbit (especially Bubblemint) but have been starting to buy more Stride than Orbit and I think this flavor might just keep me buying Stride.

Comment Number:
2
Written by:
Sandy
Posted on:
May 28, 2008 at 1:01 pm

Well, Pamela, I wish I could put your fears to rest, but . . . sorry, no.
This gum just has a weird smell! And the flavor is nothing to write home about either. As an update to the update in my review, I found the pack of Fabulous Fruitini back on my desk. Returned! But then, my son, who initially rejected it, came and claimed it. What does this mean? Who knows. My cat is attracted to all sorts of powerful smells too — and not all of them are good.
Maybe this is one of those flavors that grows on you. If so, keep me posted.

Thanks for reading!
Sandy

Comment Number:
3
Written by:
Erika
Posted on:
September 30, 2008 at 7:18 pm

Wow, I must be the only one that loves Fabulous Fruitini ! I do agree the flavor doesn’t last but even my 8 year old neices pops a piece in her mouth and says “mmmmm…..fruity !” I’m chewing a piece as we speak…yeah, it’s starting to lose flavor but I still like the fresh fruity taste. Bubblemint is still my favorite though.

Comment Number:
4
Written by:
Kate Stewart
Posted on:
October 16, 2008 at 9:16 pm

Ugh this gum is just about the most horrible thing I’ve ever had in my mouth. I too was attracted by it’s supposed “fabulousness”…big mistake! I bought this pack about two months ago and tried quite a few times to chew a piece without gagging. After I realized I could still smell the gum with my purse closed, I tried to give it away to anyone..but no takers… Today I was cleaning out my desk and thought “hmm what is that rotten fruit smell…” When I sniffed out the source I couldn’t believe the fabulous fruitini was still haunting me!! (and that it still smells this potent after that time) Anyways…just came online to try to figure out the flavor…so far we’re thinking peach/passionfruit/mango/something…

Comment Number:
5
Written by:
Joe
Posted on:
October 27, 2008 at 8:39 pm

anyone else think this gum tastes like a popcorn flavored jelly belly

Comment Number:
6
Written by:
Chris Yori
Posted on:
November 8, 2008 at 6:40 am

I had a pack of it in my algebra class, and when i opened it it smelled like butter. It was so nasty it made the whole room smell.

Comment Number:
7
Written by:
Mark
Posted on:
March 11, 2009 at 3:45 pm

I also recently purchased this gum and the scent reminded me of something familiar. I’ve owned many cats over my life and have changed many litter pans. Yes. It smells a bit like cat urine — fruity cat urine, but cat urine nonetheless.

Comment Number:
8
Written by:
Barb Jeppesen
Posted on:
March 19, 2009 at 12:14 am

My son Andrew (age 11) has a comment to add:

I bought the gum for school. I put a piece in my mouth and at first the flavor was okay, but it smelled horrid. I spit it out, but the smell lingered in my nose. After class I went back to my locker and discovered the smell was very strong there. It smelled like very greasy, buttery popcorn mixed with pencil lead. Instantly my saliva glands went crazy (and not in a good way). I went to my next class, but didn’t feel well. I stood up, but couldn’t control the urge to throw up (literally). The teacher sent me home sick. No one believed that the gum made me do it (but I knew)!

Comment Number:
9
Written by:
Tabitha DeVeau
Posted on:
April 2, 2009 at 5:02 pm

My husband accidently picked up the fabulous fruitini gum (he was supposed to get citrusmint - orange package). We both tried the gum and both thought it “interesting”. Can’t quite figure out the flavor either…peach, coconut, mango? Offered some to my co-workers. They were similarly impressed and just as baffled by the flavor. I called the 800 phone #. They don’t even know the flavor - “fruit flavor” was the only answer I got. Any actual ingredients used are only proprietary information and they can’t tell you what the flavors are suppose to be. So it is indeed a mystery. Also not a very good flavor.