Thursday, April 7, 2011

5 React2 - Mint


Flavor: Although Wrigley's would like you to believe that this is some life-changing, personalized gum-chewing experience, it's just mint. Undefinable, even - there's no definite type of mint, here... nary a pepper- or spear- or even winter. Just. Mint. And it's a very, very mild mint, at that. I'm chewing it right now, and I can still taste the Cheddar Horseradish Kettle Chips I ate an hour ago. If that's your thing, you'll enjoy this, but I prefer a cooler, crisper, more refreshing blast of flavor in my mints.

Texture: Unspectacular. Way too soft - little strings of it get stuck in my dental work, and weirdly bumpy. When I took it out of my mouth to investigate the bumps, and stretched it between my fingers there were all kinds of little white flaky gobs in it. What the hell is that? It's gross. I guess the gobbies might go away with prolonged chewing, but I don't know what would define "prolonged" as I've chewed for 15 minutes or longer and they were still there, in some form.

Presentation: I always love 5 packages. Sleek and awesome-looking. A long time ago, back when the React line was first released, a fan wrote to us to tell us that the little thumb-print on the back of the pack changed colors like a mood ring. I never shared that little tidbit because I could never get it to happen. Either 5 slowly rolled out the mood packages, or my fingers were always too frigid (which is entirely possible). But check it out - the package totally changes color!

Other than the cool packaging, I just don't know about this. The gum itself remains a weird black color, which is just unsettling. Why black?

Overall: I dunno, I guess as a gum this is alright. It's certainly nothing special, despite the cool packaging. I'm still mad at 5 for this whole React thing, and now they've gone and slapped a "2" on the package and want you to think that it's something entirely different. Well, here's the thing: It's not. It's the same mediocre crap with a "2" slapped on it. Well, React, here's your "2" slapped right back at ya:

Rating: oo (two gumballs)

34 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yes, what are those little blue round things in the gum anyways?

Anonymous said...

Oops! Sorry! I posted on the wrong gum! My mistake. *blush*

Anonymous said...

where did you buy this gum

Anonymous said...

the little blue bubble thingies in the mint flavored ones are flavor bubbles. if you bite into one, an explosion of mint comes out. for the reacts, it's flavor packed bubbles in them.

Edixon said...

Awesome review, i enjoyed it.

Anonymous said...

funny how this gum leaves me focused and actually really relaxed. Great for long distance biking, or for helping you to pace yourself in track n field or something that needs slow steady long endurance training. Does anyone know if this is safe ingredients in the gum base. I heard some gums gum base can have harmful chemicals in them.

Anonymous said...

Aspartame is bad

Anonymous said...

what little blue round things?

Shannon said...

There are little blue round things in Extra Polar Ice (my favorite gum). 5 React2 doesn't have those - it has like gross gritty white bits. Ew.

nick v said...

the original react is my favorite gum and I bought this one on accident. this is a sweeter mint...which I dont like and gritty. it also dissolves a lot faster than the original react...I perfer the blue mint burts over the ground up altoid like flakes. this is not an improvement over the original, but still a good gum
I hope it is not replacing the original react

Anonymous said...

I'm one of those people who chews WAY too much gum (I go through a pack a day, no lie), and Five React Mint has been my gum. But this new stuff is AWFUL.
I completely agree with you; WAY too soft! It feels like its disentegrating in my mouth, and yet, it never does. And I assure you, the flavor on the original React is stronger.
If this is a permanent switch and they're discontinueing the original React, I won't be buying anymore of their gum, and I am NEVER buying this sh*t again.

Anonymous said...

Love the blog! Tis nice to know that there are other gum addicts out there besides me.

I was wondering why it was black too. The flavor itself was pretty decent though.

Anonymous said...

I looove 5 React Mint.

I bought React2 Mint yesterday. I noticed that there was a 2 on the package and was wondering if they were trying to say that it was some sort of new flavor. I just bought it because I didn't see the origianl React Mint flavor.

And yeah, React2 tastes different. It is not as good at all. I am really upset about this change. I hope they don't plan on discontinuing the original React Mint flavor and replacing it with this React2 flavor. React Mint wasn't even out for that long. WTF.

Anonymous said...

The mint react 2 is total crap. I loved the mint react gum because it was so minty, it felt like it actually purged my mouth. React 2 is too sweet and the flavor lasts significantly less. I am very disappointed in it. My local Costco doesn't have the original React flavor and I am very angry because it might be a sign that React 2 may replace normal React.

Anonymous said...

Guess im the odd one out but I love the flavour of this gum. My only gripe is that it doesn't last very long

Anonymous said...

I love love love React mint. React 2 is not nearly as good. I am down to my last pack of the original. HELP!!! Wrigley's please return the original'. The blue flavor burst are the best!

Anonymous said...

this gum has such a weird flavor, there's mint but i think there is some licorice flavor, that would explain the black color. But i prefer the original 5 cobalt gum thats my absolute favorite. by the way im talking about the black licorice not the red twizzlers.

Anonymous said...

Its the only soft gum I can chew with dentures, so I love it!!!!!!!!!
None of the others in the REACT packs do work like the React 2 5
Anyway if anyone else knows of a soft gum that does not stick, let me know.
percy

Anonymous said...

This gum tastes like I'm chewing mentholatum or a cold lozenge. Ugh.

winterhasgawn said...

It's kinda like winterfersh but not. I REALLY miss winterfresh gum :-(

MtKeg said...

The Original REACT mint gum was much better. I was disappointed when they changed the formula. I even wrote the company which netted me a coupon for a package of gum. Whoopee. On occasion, I still find a package of the original which is out-dated per the stamp on the pack. But I buy it anyway because it is much better. The original had a hint of black licorice and a stronger mint flavor and the flavor lasted much longer.

Anonymous said...

It sucks how they've discontinued this stuff in Australia. It was my fave 5 gum flavour.

Anonymous said...

I personally like this gum. Ive gone through a pack in 3 days. I dont like overpowering mints, so this was good to me. I dont get any of those white gritty bits.

Anonymous said...

I was heart broken when I found react (1) was discontinued, I hope 2 is just the same

Anonymous said...

I bought a sleeve of 3 pacs of the React2 Mint gum. It has a different but not a bad taste. Those white gritty bits are only noticeable if you take the gum out of your mouth and inspect it. I'd say that its a pretty good gum if you like a semi-mild minty taste. also, i cant tell if its peppermint, spearmint, of winter mint. Sort of a combination of the 3 in a way.

anonymous said...

The first time I tried 5 gum will be the last time I try 5 gum. Put a piece of cinnamon in my mouth just before I turned the ignition in the car. Flavor was dilluted before I left the driveway, and completely gone by the time I reached the end of my street. Boycott all Wrigley products now.

Anonymous said...

This gum tastes like I'm chewing on Vicks Vapor Rub. It has a very strange Menthol taste to it.... Not a huge fan of this flavor. BUT, I do love the other flavors that 5 makes.

Anonymous said...

this gum is stupid don't eat it

Pat said...

I love my React2 (black) gum and I want it back...NOW PLEASE. It stays soft as long as you chew it and it keeps its flavor. Different flavors for different people............ ....BUT I LOVE MY REACT2.......and now I can't find it anywhere771

Anonymous said...

why does this gum turn black? it is very unsettling

Unknown said...

This "review" had nothing but negative comments about the gum. You can't really be serious. A mild mint flavor? The mint is just perfect. Not super strong, and kills the taste from my dinner. I understand that it's not your go to gum. But the way you explain it in this review makes it sound like a horrible gum. It's not. The flavor lasts a very long time and it's delicious. I'm sorry, but reviews that only have negative points about anything, aren't really reviews in my opinion.

Anonymous said...

I’m chewing as I type. This was my first try of this new formula. I love it! Medium minty but it like starts slow and then gets mintier as it goes. (Never too much though) It is strange having black gum but, it’s kinda cool... very modern.

Anonymous said...

Well crap!!! I picked this up by mistake and freaked out when I opened it and the gum was black! Very weird. I have been chewing for about 15 minutes and I am still on the fence. I usually chew the sweet mint or spearmint 5. The texture is different. Hmmmm......

Milshare said...

I find mint react2, to help me focus, and keep me calm. That I can chew a piece for two to three hours before the flavor fails, is another plus.

The reviewer may not have been impressed, but I rather like this gum.