It solves a puzzle that has obsessed food boffins ever since Willy Wonka managed the feat in Charlie And The Chocolate Factory.
Two London-based “food architects” claim to have cracked the holy grail of molecular gastronomy — chewing gum that changes flavour.
In one of the most famous episodes in Roald Dahl's novel, Wonka unveils the Three-Course Dinner Chewing Gum. It tastes of tomato soup, before changing to roast beef and baked potato flavour, then blueberry pie and ice cream.
Now Sam Bompas and Harry Parr, who have created glow-in-the-dark jelly and a punch lake, say that after three years of research in their Borough lab they have come up with a prototype gum that starts with strawberry before moving on to chocolate.
It uses microscopic edible “capsules” called colloidosomes to release flavours at different stages of the chewing process.
Mr Bompas said: “The flavour discernably changes. Now what we've got to do is make sure the first flavour totally cuts out.”
They hope to create “classic” Wonka flavours: “That's the ultimate challenge. It involves two changes of flavour as well as switching from savoury to sweet.”
In the story — Johnny Depp played Wonka in the 2005 film — the gum is also at an experimental phase. Violet Beauregarde ignores warnings not to taste it and turns into a human blueberry.
It is hoped the prototype will be ready for the public — with less disastrous consequences — on Monday.
The Old Etonians, both 27, are launching an “artisanal chewing gum factory” in Whiteleys shopping centre, Queensway, where people can choose from 40,000 combinations for £2.50.
Possibilities include gin and tonic, chicken kiev and foie gras, and black truffle. A coffee version delivers as much caffeine as two cups.
Mr Bompas added: “We tried bacon and rosemary but it was disgusting, like putting bacon rind in your mouth that never goes away.”
Taste test
The gums by Bompas and Parr come in the form of soft, pale blobs. They quickly break down into the usual chewy mouthful. Here is our verdict:
Cookie, apple and cinnamon
“It did taste like apple crumble. A strange taste, but nice, very vanillary but it lost its taste very quickly. Within two minutes it was like ordinary bubble gum.”
Campari and orange
“It was very sweet, very satisfying and orangey but I didn't pick up the Campari. It's an interesting flavour, sharper than an average orange wine gum but there could be more adult fun in there.”
Peppermint with a hint of strawberry
“Loads of peppermint, almost like eating a rubbery peppermint cream. The strawberry notes were lurking in there but only occasionally revealing themselves. The sensation is like chewing on a strip of gum and a strawberry Starburst together.
Londoners invent 'Willy Wonka' gum that changes flavour as you chew | News
Two London-based “food architects” claim to have cracked the holy grail of molecular gastronomy — chewing gum that changes flavour.
In one of the most famous episodes in Roald Dahl's novel, Wonka unveils the Three-Course Dinner Chewing Gum. It tastes of tomato soup, before changing to roast beef and baked potato flavour, then blueberry pie and ice cream.
Now Sam Bompas and Harry Parr, who have created glow-in-the-dark jelly and a punch lake, say that after three years of research in their Borough lab they have come up with a prototype gum that starts with strawberry before moving on to chocolate.
It uses microscopic edible “capsules” called colloidosomes to release flavours at different stages of the chewing process.
Mr Bompas said: “The flavour discernably changes. Now what we've got to do is make sure the first flavour totally cuts out.”
They hope to create “classic” Wonka flavours: “That's the ultimate challenge. It involves two changes of flavour as well as switching from savoury to sweet.”
In the story — Johnny Depp played Wonka in the 2005 film — the gum is also at an experimental phase. Violet Beauregarde ignores warnings not to taste it and turns into a human blueberry.
It is hoped the prototype will be ready for the public — with less disastrous consequences — on Monday.
The Old Etonians, both 27, are launching an “artisanal chewing gum factory” in Whiteleys shopping centre, Queensway, where people can choose from 40,000 combinations for £2.50.
Possibilities include gin and tonic, chicken kiev and foie gras, and black truffle. A coffee version delivers as much caffeine as two cups.
Mr Bompas added: “We tried bacon and rosemary but it was disgusting, like putting bacon rind in your mouth that never goes away.”
Taste test
The gums by Bompas and Parr come in the form of soft, pale blobs. They quickly break down into the usual chewy mouthful. Here is our verdict:
Cookie, apple and cinnamon
“It did taste like apple crumble. A strange taste, but nice, very vanillary but it lost its taste very quickly. Within two minutes it was like ordinary bubble gum.”
Campari and orange
“It was very sweet, very satisfying and orangey but I didn't pick up the Campari. It's an interesting flavour, sharper than an average orange wine gum but there could be more adult fun in there.”
Peppermint with a hint of strawberry
“Loads of peppermint, almost like eating a rubbery peppermint cream. The strawberry notes were lurking in there but only occasionally revealing themselves. The sensation is like chewing on a strip of gum and a strawberry Starburst together.
Londoners invent 'Willy Wonka' gum that changes flavour as you chew | News
