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Taste testing so you don’t have to, Chicagoist went on the front lines of the convenience store aisles to check out Wrigley’s new Doublemint Kona Crème gum. The Sun-Times reported that Wrigley has rolled out its new coffee-flavored gum to 7-Eleven stores nationwide. 
Chicagoist picked up a pack for $1.20 and was surprised to find hardly a trace of caffeine in the gum, but rather coffee powder. Now, we’d like to set the record straight on something here. Yes, coffee sales are up, but not because of its flavor. People primarily drink coffee to wake up. Caffeine is key. Sure, we like a little coffee ice cream as much as the next person. Maybe even a coffee-flavored hard candy. But can food manufacturers please stop throwing coffee flavor into every snack food?
That said, Kone Crème has a fairly pleasant, sweet coffee taste. But, we turn to gum for one reason only - to give our breath that minty fresh goodness. And, Kona Crème comes up short on mint. Not to mention the aftertaste is objectionable (um, yeah, gum is supposed to get rid of coffee breath – not cause it).
Wrigley said they won’t be rolling out the gum more broadly just yet, and we think that’s for the best. However, despite our disappointment with the gum, all was not lost. We did purchase our first Slurpee of the season. And, we’re happy to report, no coffee Slurpees in sight.
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Coffee is delicious.
Agreed ... but I'm with Hanna--it doesn't belong in gum. It's like breeding a cat with a dog ... You want a perfected coffe hybrid? Bring back Pepsi Kona!!
Well, Hanna's assessment of this product is probably right on.
However, regarding a couple small details, I do wonder whether coffee sales are actually up. I remember an article last year in the Tribune that mentioned that despite the proliferation of Starbucks and similar outlets, coffee sales have been declining overall for years.
Even if sales are up, I wonder if it's actually because these people are drinking more in order to get the caffeine boost. True, that IS the traditional reason people drink coffee, however it's hard to believe that any recent increase in coffee sales is due to people's desire to perk up.
Most of the coffee drinks that get people to pack today's coffeeshops are overflowing with warm milk, chocolate, caramel and other ingredients that do anything but provide the wonderful heart palpitations that accompany a nice, big strong cuppa joe. Generally, these drinks have, at best, a couple shots of espresso drowned in 10 or 12 ounces of milk.
Personally, I almost never drink milk based coffee drinks, preferring regular coffee, espresso, or Americano. When I have had a cappucino or latte though, the first thing I always desire afterwards is a nap.
slurpees and shamrock shakes. i knew hanna and i were kindred spirits in some odd, snack-food (is that what you'd call them?) related way....
Hmm. I just tasted the gum, and I definitely want a mint, or some regular gum now. Right on about the objectionable after taste. Blech.
When I heard about this gum I wondered WHY? WHY? Who would want to chew gum that gives you coffee breath? And not even give you a coffee buzz to compensate!
Maybe they can test market dog breath next month.
maybe they could package it with half coffee gum chicklets and half mint gum chicklets.. then you'd have the mint you need after chewing the coffee.
I actually fell for it, I was hesitant, but my adventurous side in me said why the heck not. So I bought a pack of the new Kona Creme, my only question was "Where was the pre-sale samples? Surveys? Taste testing?" They didn't happen here in SF! I was skeptical, am still, even as I chew away at the odd, I don't know if I like it enough, do I take it back to the store? or should I send it back to Wrigley's, taste in my mouth?
Crap, i spit my last piece of gum into the receipt and now its all brown and gooey. For the price, I could of bought an actual cup of coffee.
I think I will remember that next time my "Let's try something new!" pops into mind. Oh well, the door man liked it. I will give the rest to him and stick to my regular stick of bubble gum flavored gum instead.
Nice try Wrigley's.. Could of asked us first?
mmmm, I like it. I guess I chew gum for a treat and not just for breath freshening - this was like a desserty kahlua taste. I guess your right, if you don't like the taste of coffee, you probably wouldn't like coffee gum:)
Yes, coffee sales are up, but not because of its flavor. People primarily drink coffee to wake up.
I'm pretty sure the state of RI would disagree with this. Coffee flavoured milk anyone? I know plenty of people who drink coffee not just for perk, but because they enjoy the taste.
But, we turn to gum for one reason only - to give our breath that minty fresh goodness.
I don't believe this is completely true either- fruit flavoured gum for example. That's a pretty bold generalization...
Yes, coffee sales are up, but not because of its flavor. People primarily drink coffee to wake up.
I believe that is only one person's opinion for two reasons.
1) ever hear of decaf?
2) there are other ways to wake up instead of coffee.
i just agree with the previous comment about people liking the taste, not for the actual buzz most of the time
I have tried this gum and I love it.
I LOVE the Kona Creme gum and I can not get anymore where I live.
Send me your packs!!!!!!!!!1
126 Jackson Road
St. Marys, PA 15857
I purchased the gum at our Student Center at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and I really like it. I've gave it to several of my friends and they had me go buy more. I just hope you keep making it.
Love the coffee flavored gum.
Was in Hawaii and bought it at the ABC store.
Where to buy it????
I tried it and I like it. I guess I chew gum for flavor. A co-worker of mine loved it, so it's not a total failure.
Do you know what means kona in portuguese ( not kona but cona, that in portuguese is the same to the earing ) :))
You can get Kona creme gum for really cheap at a website I found. They don’t have a limited stock so you don’t have to be worried about it going away.
I just ordered 24 packs =)
Thecandylandstore
click here
This is the best gum ever.