Orbit Mist Watermelon Spring

Flavor: At first, absolutely spectacular. Now, I know that this type of intense flavor experience isn't for everyone. I get it. But one of the things I look for in a gum is the initial "flavor explosion" I get when I first put it in my mouth and bite down. Orbit Mist Watermelon Spring's packaging calls out "A Hydrating Sensation with micro-bursts(tm)" and a hydrating sensation it is, indeed. Reminiscent of the flavor of a watermelon-flavored Jolly Rancher, it is intensely both sour and sweet, causing your salivary glands to shift into overdrive. If you were really thirsty, I'd bet this gum would at the very least provide temporary quenching of your thirst. Well played, Orbit. Unfortunately the flavor fades very quickly, and you're left with a sickeningly too-sweet, almost bitter watermelon flavor.

Texture: The benefits this gum packs in flavor, it lacks in texture. When I put my first piece of Orbit Mist Watermelon Spring in my mouth and bit down, I thought I had found the Holy Grail in gum. The "micro-bursts(tm)" have a very pleasing crunchy/gritty texture that enhances the overall chewing experience. Unfortunately, this pleasure is short-lived. Once the micro-bursts(tm) dissolve, the gum loses its consistency and becomes way too soft. I've seen this with other gums, and if you continue to chew it, it will eventually disintegrate into a million mushy little gum flecks in your mouth. I chewed a piece for about 10 minutes, and I performed my "Tooth Test" on it- I placed the gum behind my closed teeth, and tried to push the gum through it. A quality gum will resist the force, and only a small fraction of gum will protrude through my teeth. Orbitz Mist Watermelon Spring failed this test miserably. The gum flowed through my teeth rather easily, and I have no doubt that if I'd continued this test, the entire piece would have ended up on the outside of my teeth.

Overall: A for effort and D for execution, Orbit. This is my first foray into their new "Mist" line (Katie did offer me a piece of the Citrus flavor last weekend but I regrettably don't remember much about it to compare) and I have to say that first impressions were not favorable. If the texture held its own and the flavor lasted just a bit longer, I would have rated this 4 gumballs. I'm going to have to give it 3. I have to admit that I'll probably be picking up another couple packs of this one, if not only to just experience that initial watermelon rush.

Rating: ooo (three gumballs)