Chewing gum compositions and methods of preparation

A method of preparing a gum composition comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a chewable gum base in an amount within a range of from 5% to 75% by weight of said gum composition;
• (b) providing a bulking agent selected from the group of sugars, sugar alcohols and mixtures thereof in an amount within a range of from 5% to 75% by weight of said gum composition;
• (c) providing a carbohydrate syrup comprising an aqueous solution of carbohydrate solids, said syrup selected from the group of corn syrups, hydrogenated starch hydrolysates and mixtures thereof, wherein less than about 30% by weight of said carbohydrate solids have a DP of 1 and more than about 20% of said carbohydrate solids have a DP of 4 or greater;
• (d) providing a plasticizing agent selected from the group of glycerine, propylene glycol and mixtures thereof,
• (e) combining said carbohydrate syrup with said plasticizing agent at a ratio of carbohydrate solids to plasticizing agent of between about 0.5:1 and abou.t 100:1 to form a mixture;
• (f) evaporating moisture present in said mi to produce a dehydrated mixture containing less than 20% water by weight;
• and
• (g) combining said dehydrated mixture in an am within a range of from 5% to 75% by weight of said gum composition with said gum base and said bulking agents and optional flavors, artificial sweeteners, colors, preservatives and processing aids to form a finished gum composition.

A gum composition comprising:

• (a) 5% to 75% by weight of a chewable gum base;
• (b) 5% to 75% by weight of a bulking agent selected from the group of sugars, sugar alcohols and mixtures thereof;
• (c) 5% to 75% by weight of a dehydrated mixture of
• (i) an aqueous syrup of carbohydrate solids, said syrup selected from the group of corn syrups, hydrogenated starch hydrolysates and mixtures thereof wherein less than about 30% of said carbohydrate solids have a DP of 1 and more than about 20% of said carbohydrate solids have a DP of 4 or greater;
• and
• (ii) a plasticizing agent selected from the group of glycerine, propylene glycol and mixtures thereof;
• (iii) said syrup and plasticizing agent being at a ratio of carbohydrate solids to plasticizing agent of between about 0.5:1 and about 100:1;
• (iv) wherein the water content of said dehydrated mixture is less than 20%;
• and
• (d) optional flavors, artificial sweeteners, colors, preservatives and processing aids.