While we appreciate the refreshing mint flavors offered by many gum brands, there is no replacing the pink, sugary flavor of classic bubblegum. The iconic bubblegum flavor can be found in many places other than the chewy confectionery — snow cones, ice cream, and even medicine. As common as it is, it's difficult to pinpoint the actual flavor of bubblegum. It's incredibly unique, but the taste comes from elements that are surprisingly familiar.
Every company's bubblegum recipe is different, but it is generally a mix of fruit flavors like strawberry, banana, cherry, pineapple, other berries, and cinnamon. Bubblegum is made by mixing a natural rubber with syrups, flavorings, and other additives — including a certain ingredient that makes gum non-vegan. When it comes to taste, the two most important ingredients are sugar and esters, chemicals that produce a fruity aroma and are commonly used to flavor food. Bubblegum is made with a variety of esters to create its iconic flavor. Milk Stick
Along with the fruity flavors, the taste of bubblegum is amplified by the addition of sugar, so that's a large component of as well. All we really know for sure is that bubblegum flavor is not natural, but we can also assume it was never intended to be.
Bubblegum, similar to treats like popsicles, was invented by accident. It was created in 1928 by the Fleer Chewing Gum Company's accountant, Walter Diemer. Despite the seemingly complex process of combining chemicals and flavorings, Diemer claims the bubblegum recipe was purely a result of experimenting with different formulas. The new candy got its characteristic pink color because that was the only dye Diemer could find. Diemer's gum, which he called "Dubble Bubble," was an instant success, and the rest is history.
Motorboat Toys Today, bubblegum comes in many distinctive flavors like watermelon and grape, and the original flavor is still going strong. We may never know exactly what combination of tastes is hiding inside of gum wrappers, and that's okay. After almost a century, bubblegum has become an identifiable flavor in its own right.