Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Extra Polar Ice


Flavor: The flavor of Extra Polar Ice is unlike any other mint gum on the market today. It's sort of a sweet-mint, closer to a wintermint flavor than a pepper or spearmint. It refreshes the mouth from the very first chew, irradicating any hint of offensive odor your breath may have had. The flavor is not only pleasant, but it lasts and lasts. While the initial punch of flavor fades a bit after a few minutes, it never completely disappears. I cannot ever recall a time when a piece of Extra Polar Ice gave out on me when I've needed it - My mouth has remained minty fresh from first chew to wrapper-discard.

Texture: Again, Extra Polar Ice is truly a unique gum, and this especially is true when we consider its texture. Each slice of Extra Polar ice is embedded with hundreds of tiny flavor beads (for lack of a better word - Extra's packaging does not name or call out these beads) that crack and pop in your mouth for the first few minutes of chewing. The outer coating of the beads eventually dissolve away, leaving you with a not-too-firm, not-too-soft wad of pure chewing satisfaction. The texture, like the flavor, does not falter with time; it remains chewable and elastic through the end of the chew. Extra Polar Ice is a chewing gum, not a bubble gum, so bubbles are all-but-impossible to blow. However, cracking this gum is a pleasure.

Overall: Extra Polar Ice is my all-time favorite gum, and it has been for quite some time now. It is the standard to which I judge all other gums. I am rarely without a pack of Extra Polar Ice in my purse.
Rating: ooooo (five gumballs)

17 comments:

Katie said...

I'm going to have to disagree here, sis. First of all, I respect your review and only am enforcing a subjective rebuttal according to my own preferences. Also, I don't want you to stop giving me some when I ask for it after dinner.

While it does literally "cool" the mouth and while the crystals do provide that extra *some*thing, I'm going to have to disagree with the endurance of its flavor as well as the texture.

You always have the jumbo packs of these in your purse and I'll admit I'll chew it when I need to chew gum. But I find that the flavor lacks that special sweetness that is so appealing in gums like Trident Sweet Mint, or Orbitz Sweet Mint. It's almost *too* cold for my taste-- so cold that it takes only a few minutes for it to warm over into that stale mint flavor that takes your breath from fresh-smelling to concealing-the-rank-and-chewing-too-long.

The texture too, is too firm for my tastes. I have sensitive teeth on the left side, due to a crown I had put in at 15 (perhaps I should mention that in my profile), and find that it's just *too* firm. It is, from start to finish, reminiscent of a stale piece of gum to me.

I'm going to go ahead and give it 2 gumballs. oo.

Shannon said...

2 gumballs? That's a rough rating, Sissy. I don't think I'd chew a 2 gumball gum more than once. I suggest you amend your gumball rating to 3, the natural neutral. You DISlike Extra Polar Ice, or is it merely "arrite?"

Katie said...

Well I would never buy it voluntarily. Even in a time of desperation, I wouldn't buy it. I really just respect your chewing of the gum. I guess I'll amend to 3/5 just because I WILL chew it and DO chew it regularly.

Custopootimus said...

I'll have to back Katie on this one. I tried this gum and I found it to slightly short of my expectations. I think a three gumball rating is appropriate. The gum is more minty than I would like. And I agree with Katie's opinion that the gum was too cold. It is defiantly far too cold for my liking. Then again, the name *is* "Polar Ice"; I think a name like that should be warning enough for people don't like cold gum. I prefer a more sweet taste in my mint gums. But as mint gum intended to leave a cold taste, I found this gum lacking. The first chew was stunning, but I found the difference between the first chew and subsequent ones to be so big: the flavor seemed to fall off quickly from stunning to below average. If the cold burst had been more drawn out, perhaps I would have a better liking to this gum. Have you two reviewed Wrigley's Double Mint yet?

Anonymous said...

I've been chewing Extra Polar Ice almost exclusively for a few years now. It truly is the best gum available. The taste is great, long lasting, and is always fresh, piece after piece. It's perfect for after a meal or just to chew something. As a bonus, it's sugar free and is very non-sticky. A well deserved 5 gumballs.

Jacky Tran said...

I tried a pack because of this blog. Is it just me or are there fruity undertones to this? Something like berry or melon it's not strong but it tastes like mint gum with a little chunk of fruity trident in there. Am I crazy?

Anonymous said...

This is the gum i always get at the grocery in the big package. I love it.

Cali said...

I absolutely LOVE THIS GUM!!! I've chewed it for at least 3 years now, a pack a day- no joke. Friends and coworkers know who to bum their gum from lol. HOWEVER, I started having major tongue and throat problems 3 months ago and never once thought my beloved polar ice could be the culprit (I was convinced I had some kind of throat or oral cancer and was truly too scared to see my doctor about it). Well Target was out of my 3 pack of polar ice a couple of weeks ago and I had to buy peppermint, and I SWEAR TO GAWD my throat cleared up as did my tongue withing DAYS. I love love love this gum, but watch out! Like I said, a pack every two days then out of no where an allergy...

the bubble said...

I have been chewing Polar Ice since 2001, my freshman year of high school. I started dating this guy and when we had our first kiss, I could taste the mint. Have been hooked on the flavor ever since! The flavor does last, I only go through two pieces a day during school (that's 5 hours), and only because I stop to have a cigarette between classes and eventually throw out the first piece to refreshen my mouth with a new one. It will get a bit tough if you chew it for several hours, but in general, people don't chew a single piece for hours (I can, have, and do on occasion because chewing gum is a definite habit of mine). I too am never without a pack in my purse, and have become well known for my polar ice addiction. It's my number 1 forever. ^^

Unknown said...

This is the best gum ever. That's not an opinion, that's a fact. I go through 15 sticks a day...I know what I'm talking about. Whenever I sometimes cheat and try a different brand, I end up feeling unsatisfied, dirty and cheap.

People who downplay the perfection of Polar Ice are simply doing it to be ironic.

Anonymous said...

I really love this gum too. It's nice to see other people who also like it. I've tried so many other types of gum, but this is the only one I've stuck with. I agree with the long-lasting flavor,and it's really just so pleasant. Oh yeah, I just looove the little beads too.^^

eaglerider said...

No, your right. There's something Extra

eaglerider said...

No, your right. There's something Extra

Anonymous said...

Started chewing this flavor to sooth a sore throat and cough. Then, just about daily, for over a decade. Other mints disappoint me now. Caveat: seems Extra gum has some kind of hydrophilic stuff in them to keep them moist longer; which means an open pack in a humid environment turns to mush after an extended period of time.

Anonymous said...

You forgot to add in what it smells like! I think it smells like menthol. Or Vicks xx

Unknown said...

I just bought a pack at Walmart in Banson West Missouri. Something is wrong. The favor is different not as refreshing. I was wondering if the favor has changed.the package says it's best by 20Sep17 #014706C. Please respond back is this lot is bad or recalled.

Anonymous said...

Very cool! I rate it 6 gumballs

oooooo.