late 19th century. However, people all over the world have chewed on naturally gummy substances for thousands of years.The first thing people chewed for taste and medicinal reasons was tar from various plants and trees.
Archeologists have found evidence of Europeans chewing on birch resin to freshen their breath and to relieve toothaches. Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans also chewed on barks and resins for the same reason.The Mayan culture is rich with discoveries that were advanced for their time.
One of the many things they discovered centuries ago was chicle. This gummy substance comes from the native sapodilla tree.
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