Chewing gum has been part of daily life for generations, yet few people consider what gives it its characteristic chew. While many modern chewing gums use synthetic gum bases, earlier forms were made from natural materials. One of the best-known examples is chicle, a natural latex obtained from the sapodilla tree, which historical evidence suggests was chewed by the Maya long before commercial chewing gum became widespread.
Drawing inspiration from this tradition, Gud Gum has introduced a chewing gum made with chicle as its gum base. Headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, the company was founded by brothers Mayank B. Nagori and Bhuvan B. Nagori, who set out to create a product based on simpler ingredients while revisiting an ingredient with a long history.
Looking back at the origins of chewing gum
The use of chicle predates modern confectionery. Harvested from the sapodilla tree (Manilkara zapota), this natural latex has been associated with the Maya for centuries, who chewed it for its elastic texture.
Although chewing gum has evolved considerably over time, chicle remains an important part of its history. Gud Gum has chosen to use this traditional ingredient as the foundation of its product, offering an alternative to chewing gums that rely on synthetic gum bases.
Rather than attempting to recreate the past, the company combines this historic ingredient with modern food production to produce a chewing gum suited to today’s consumers.
Gud Gum’s journey began during the COVID-19 lockdown, when the founders used the period to experiment with ingredients and recipes from their own kitchen.
According to the company, months of research, repeated trials and recipe refinement eventually led to the development of Gud Gum. Instead of rushing a product to market, the founders focused on creating a chewing gum they would personally enjoy consuming.
What started as a kitchen experiment later evolved into the company’s first commercial product.
Built around everyday choices
The founders have said they have always enjoyed products such as chewing gum, sweets, snacks and drinks but wanted alternatives made with fewer unnecessary ingredients. This thinking became the starting point for Gud Gum.
Although chewing gum marked the company’s launch, the founders describe Gud as a broader food brand rather than a single-product business. Their long-term vision is to develop more everyday food products while continuing to focus on ingredient-conscious alternatives.
The company also says customer feedback plays an important role in shaping future product ideas, allowing consumers to influence the direction of new developments.Gud Gum states that the chicle used in its products is harvested from sapodilla trees by forest and tribal communities. According to the company, sourcing this ingredient contributes to livelihoods associated with traditional tree sap collection.
This approach also reflects the continued use of a material that has been harvested for generations, connecting a traditional practice with a modern consumer product.
National recognition on Shark Tank India
Gud Gum gained national visibility after appearing on Shark Tank India Season 3, where founders Mayank and Bhuvan Nagori presented their business to the investors.
The episode introduced many viewers to the concept of chicle-based chewing gum and sparked discussion about the ingredients used in chewing gum.
The appearance also helped familiarise a larger audience with an ingredient that has played an important role in the history of chewing gum but is less commonly recognised by consumers today.Gud Gum represents a modern food business inspired by a traditional ingredient. Rather than focusing solely on chewing gum, the founders intend to expand into other everyday food categories while maintaining their emphasis on carefully selected ingredients.
As consumers increasingly pay attention to ingredient lists and how products are made, foods inspired by traditional materials are attracting greater interest. Gud Gum reflects this trend by revisiting chicle—a natural latex with a long history—and adapting it for today’s market.
By combining historical inspiration with contemporary product development, the Bengaluru-headquartered company has established a distinctive identity within India’s evolving food and confectionery sector.
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