Candy History, Candy Memories, Candy News, Retro Candy

Black Jack, Beemans and Clove Gum: A Story of Revival

August 29, 2018 by

Black Jack, Beemans and Clove Gum Set to Return This Fall

The lifespan of a candy is never known. What seems like a classic could be gone in an instant, leaving candy lovers wondering how to satisfy their sweet tooth cravings, and feeling that the candy world will never be the same again.

However, for some candies, there is a miraculous comeback story, a happy redemption that reminds us all just how unexpected and beautiful the industry can be. Today, we are glad to report that, long-time favorites Black Jack, Beemans and Clove Chewing Gum will be back on the market this fall.

Gerrit J. Verburg Co. signed the final contracts to take ownership of the three retro chewing gums this summer, a huge step forward in reviving a long-loved trio of gums that have been part of American candy fabric since the late 1800’s.

Three Gums, Three Stories

black jack gumBlack Jack was the first flavored gum in the United States, and the first to be sold in sticks. The gum’s creator, Thomas Adams, purchased chicle in the hopes of turning it into rubber. When that plan failed, he pursued gum instead, and in 1871 Black Jack was born.

beemans gum

Beeman’s was originally marketed as an aid to digestion, due to the fact that the original formula contained pepsin and chicle. It became part of the American Chicle Company in 1898. Known as the lucky gum of pilots, the gum grew in popularity due to its ability to settle stomach acid in flight.

clove gum

The youngest of the three gums, Clove was invented by the Thomas Adams company in 1914. Rumor has it that the strong-smelling gum may have been prized during prohibition for its ability to hide the smell of alcohol.

We Make Candy History Personal 

Each of these gums has a long and storied past, but perhaps the most interesting candy history is the one you bring to the table. Did you enjoy Black Jack, Beemans and Clove in your youth? What do you remember most about the gums? Share your memories of these iconic candies with us, and be sure to sign up so you’ll be notified when all three are re-launched this fall.

When you share a memory about Black Jack, Beemans and Clove gum, you will automatically be entered to win one box each of these iconic gum flavors when they become available.  Contest entries accepted until September 16th, 2018 and a winner will be contacted on September 21st, 2018.  Happy Sharing!

You Might Also Like

24 Comments

  • Reply Lacey August 29, 2018 at 8:54 pm

    My favorite memory with the clove gum is being a little girl sitting on my grandpas lap and he would give me a piece. Since now my grandpa is gone I would love to have this gum again just to be able to have that memory of him again doing that when I was little.

  • Reply Tina Young August 29, 2018 at 11:28 pm

    I remember the clove gum back in the day growing up in the 70’s. My dad would buy this and let us have a half of a stick. Brings back memories of when I was a kid.

  • Reply Deborah Stonehouse August 30, 2018 at 12:32 am

    How do I win the gun?

  • Reply Deborah Stonehouse August 30, 2018 at 12:33 am

    I want to win the GUM. Darn autocorrect.

  • Reply Tyler Davidson September 11, 2018 at 9:01 pm

    The first time I had these gums I was on deployment in 2008 while I was in the Marine Corps. I was craving gum but I didn’t know what kind of flavor I wanted. One of my brothers, William Sim came to me and he said hey man have you ever had these gums before and he showed me Beeman’s and clove flavored gum packs. I told him no and he let me try both of them. They were absolutely the best gums I’ve ever had and I was immediately hooked.

    I genuinely hope these gums are coming back. I absolutely love them all.

  • Reply Susan Crawford November 24, 2018 at 3:43 pm

    I can’t wait to try these gums for the first time in years!

    • Reply Jonah Half December 20, 2018 at 1:40 pm

      They’re back in stock now!!

  • Reply Sarah Bingham December 20, 2018 at 9:48 pm

    Where can we get them in Georgia?

    • Reply Jonah Half January 8, 2019 at 3:07 pm

      Hard to say as distribution is very limited. The gum just returned to the market in late December. The good news is that you can purchase them on CandyFavorites.com and they will be shipped directly to your door.

  • Reply Sarah Bingham December 20, 2018 at 9:51 pm

    I love the clove him and always have. The flavor stays.

    • Reply Jonah Half January 8, 2019 at 3:06 pm

      Hard to say as distribution is very limited. The gum just returned to the market in late December. The good news is that you can purchase them on CandyFavorites.com and they will be shipped directly to your door.

  • Reply Tina Turcotte January 15, 2019 at 7:09 pm

    Will these gum be produced all the time or is it limited time?

    • Reply Jonah Half January 16, 2019 at 12:38 pm

      We are not certain but we are certain that demand has been VERY high. We sold out of our first shipment in days. I might suggest you order a few extra boxes to hold you over.

  • Reply Bill Bradley February 27, 2019 at 4:51 pm

    I see you all have revived Clove, Blackjack, and Beeman’s gum. I’m writing to implore that you look at reviving Teaberry. I’m sure you’ve all had it, being a retro candy distributor, and know how uniquely delicious and historic a gum it is. If you would do that, I’d probably wind up singlehandedly keeping you afloat with my purchases

  • Reply JK March 18, 2019 at 4:12 pm

    Do they have the ORIGINAL formula and ingredients, or have they been adulterated with chemicals?

  • Reply Saundra Wallace June 4, 2019 at 9:54 pm

    This is not abt.. gum. Is there a chance to buy the old favorite Sen Sens?

  • Reply Jacqueline McCauley July 14, 2019 at 2:03 am

    I bought all the three flavors and the recipes have changed from the original. The new clove hurts my stomach. Won’t buy anymore when this order is used.

  • Reply Kathy Moyer November 14, 2019 at 2:50 pm

    BlackJack and Clove gum were a staple of my childhood. I had depression era parents. They didn’t have a lot of luxuries in their childhood and my stepmom worked in a hosiery factory for the war efforts. I love the taste of licorice so BlackJack was my favorite. I have had a young co-worker come into the school office with BlackJack gum and asked me if I ever heard of it! I laughed – I said I’m surprised you have it! What’s old is new again! Great product!

  • Reply Renee December 21, 2019 at 2:03 pm

    All three guns are a special memory of my Grandparents. When I was a little girl, I used to go to Ben Franklin with them. After looking around and picking out a hair accessory or a craft they would buy me a gun pack of my choice up at the counter.

  • Reply Robert Mottice December 26, 2019 at 10:12 am

    Just received a pack of each on Christmas Eve. I am 75 and my daughter is 52. We both tried all three and thought they didn’t taste the same as we had remembered. Artificial sweetener???

    Funny story…my farmer grandpa, who had no teeth, would put a whole pack of Beemans in his mouth at one time.

  • Reply Donna Chupurdia August 18, 2020 at 1:45 pm

    I love Beemans gum. It also brings back such great memories.

  • Reply Lois Frohman September 13, 2022 at 9:13 pm

    We were given 1/2 piece of gum by mom. When I was a little girl. Now I am 78 years old and buy it at the Licorice store. Only gum I ever buy. I still enjoy the 1/2 piece. It is a special treat for me.

    • Reply Jonah Half September 19, 2022 at 11:06 am

      candy

    Leave a Reply