Sunday, August 22, 2010

Extra Dessert Delights Strawberry Shortcake

Flavor: I have to admit right off the bat that I'm not the biggest fan of strawberry shortcake. If you put it in front of me, like any other sugary treat, of course I'll devour it, but I'd never choose it out of a lineup. All prejudices aside, though, I'd say this gum is just all right. It's got all the elements you'd expect out of a strawberry shortcake gum-- it's sweet and creamy and tastes of the familiar artificial strawberry flavor. I think I would have loved this gum when I was ten or eleven; it's got that really phony, terrible sweetness that reminds me very much of my smelly Strawberry Shortcake doll. I remember most adults gagging at the smell of her, though, a reaction that I finally now understand, thanks to Extra.

Texture: As a gum, it's a quality chew-- thick, not too soft, not too firm, keeps consistency for a long time. But I think that the reason I feel this gum falls short for "strawberry shortcake" is because so much of strawberry shortcake is about the texture-- the soft flesh of the strawberries, the spongy bread, the smoothness of the cream. That's what I most enjoy about it, anyway, and I feel like it loses half its appeal here. Again, I would not have given texture a second thought back in the day, if a free pack of this stuff had come with my awesome smelly dolly.

Presentation: I wonder if it might suit Extra better to market these three "Dessert Delights" independently from one another. I mean, it's true, they do have lots in common-- they're all desserts, they all have that unique creaminess to them, and they're all in one way or another delightful. But I think that, unlike Extra Dessert Delights Mint Chocolate Chip, and even Key Lime Pie to an extent, I wouldn't categorize this particular gum as a "sinful indulgence," per se. It's a kid's gum, simple and sickeningly sweet. Smack a cartoon character on there and Extra will be selling these by the handful. As for the way it's packaged now, though, I doubt it would have caught my eye as a kid, when lined up on the shelf beside such masterpieces as Hubba Bubba Max Sweet and Sassy Cherry or straight up Big League Chew.

Overall: I feel like I can't give this an objective rating, since it tastes like it's intended primarily for kids. But then, I feel like the packaging is not marketing to kids, so I shouldn't have to censor my adult opinions. So in honor of my old friend Miss Shortcake, in all of her stinky glory, I'll err on the favorable side of the gumball scale this time around.

Rating: oooo (four gumballs)

12 comments:

Tom Baker said...

This is a great site. I love Strawberry Shortcake but I stopped chewing gum a while ago. If I could find this gum I just might start again.

Anonymous said...

I found this gum yesterday and have already chewed at least six pieces. I love it! The flavor lasts pretty well, and I can blow bubbles with it. I'm hooked!

Anonymous said...

This is my new favorite gum. I love the "shortcake" taste mixed with the tang of strawberries. Yummy!
BTW..I'm 40 years old

Anonymous said...

Easily the best flavor out of Wrigley's new line of Extra Dessert Delights.

Anonymous said...

I just tried the strawberry shortcake gum and while I like it, I think the mint choclate chip is by far the best.

I amazed at how they are able to get these flavors right. The mint chocolate chip is not just mint and chocolate flavors combined - it actually has the flavor of mint chocolate chip ice cream. How do they do that?

Same with Key Lime Pie, it is not just Lime, it actually has the flavor of the pie. And, of course, this gum is not just strawberry, you can taste the shortcake. This is amazing to me.

Anonymous said...

I don't like the gum. It has a nasty after taste. The taste is so fake. It does not taste anything like strawberry shortcake. It has a plastic taste to it. I initially thought it was the batch I got; but, after getting another one, it still taste as nasty as the first one.

Anonymous said...

sooo.this gum is more than a typical flavored strawberry piece, but not exactly strawberry shortcake.I mean,it doesnt tast bad but it doesnt taste great.the flavor goes away shortly.i think i obviously like real strawberry shortcake better,but this gum isnt half bad!

Deserai said...

I recently tried my first piece of the Strawberry Shortcake gum and while it is good, I don't think it lives up to being Strawberry Shortcake.
I found this gum to be very strawberry-centered but very little cream/bread flavored. It is sweet, but does not have a very accurate flavor. And while I like this gum, it hardens into a gum glob rather quickly.


All in all, nice try, but I'll probably give the pack to my husband to finish.

Anonymous said...

When are you going to start posting more gum reveiws. I really love this site and i chew gum all the time. Even when im not supposed to, Like in school. Haha! but please post more!(:

Unknown said...

i love this gum it is the best out of every piece ever

Anonymous said...

Mmmm I'm chewing it now it's sooo yummy...Lol

Laura G said...

This is my favorite flavor, great texture! Can't find it anymore...so sad.