Method of preparing chewing gum powder

A method of producing a chewing gum powder for use in making compressed chewing gum products comprising:

• a) mixing a soft gum base having a penetration index greater than about 15 ddm as measured in accordance with ASTM D1321-97 and comprising from about 8 to about 16% of at least one elastomer, from about 12 to about 19% of polyvinyl acetate, from about 14 to about 30% of resin, from about 10 to about 22% of at least one hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, from about 0 to about 7% of wax, from about 5 to about 9% of at least one emulsifier, from about 15 to about 40% of inert mineral fillers, and up to about 0.1% of antioxidant with a least one sweetener at a temperature between about 35° C. and about 75° C.;
• b) cooling the mixture thus obtained to a temperature of between about 0 and about −40° C.;
• and
• c) grinding the mixture thus obtained to obtain a powder having a particle size less than about 10 mesh,
• wherein said resultant powder remains a free flowing powder at room temperature and may be mixed with additional ingredients and compressed to form compressed chewing gum having a chewability and softness characteristics comparable to or better than extruded chewing gums.

Method of producing a compressed chewing gum comprising:

• a) mixing a soft gum base having a penetration index greater than about 15 ddm as measured in accordance with ASTM D1321-97 with at least one sweetener at a temperature of between about 35 and about 75° C.;
• b) cooling the mixture thus obtained to a temperature of between about 0 and about −40° C.;
• c) grinding the mixture thus obtained to give a powder having a particle size less than about 10 mesh;
• and
• d) compressing said powder to form a chewing gum;
• wherein the powder of step c remains a free flowing powder at room temperature and may be mixed with additional ingredients prior to compression and upon compression forms a chewing gum having a chewability and softness characteristics comparable to or better than extruded chewing gums.

Method of producing a compressed chewing gum comprising:

• a) mixing a soft gum base having a penetration index greater than about 15 ddm as measured in accordance with ASTM D1321-97 with at least one sweetener at a temperature of between about 35 and about 75° C.;
• b) cooling the mixture thus obtained to a temperature of between about 0 and about −40° C.;
• c) grinding the mixture by means of a grinding apparatus;
• d) subsequently screening the mixture;
• and
• d) compressing the powder to form a chewing gum.

Method of producing a chewing gum powder for use in making compressed chewing gum products comprising:

• a) mixing a soft gum base having a penetration index greater than about 15 ddm as measured in accordance with ASTM D1321-97 with at least one sweetener at a temperature of between about 35 and about 75° C.;
• b) cooling the mixture thus obtained to a temperature of between about 0 and about −40° C.;
• c) grinding the mixture by means of a grinding apparatus;
• d) subsequently screening the mixture
• wherein said resultant powder remains a free flowing powder at room temperature and may be mixed with additional ingredients and compressed to form compressed chewing gums having a chewability and softness characteristics comparable to or better than extruded chewing gums.