Flavor: Of all the UP2U flavors I've tried so far, this is by far the best. In fact, I would buy this one again. Most importantly, since it's two minty flavors, you don't run into the minty-tastes-a-little-fruity and fruity-tastes-a-little-minty problems you face with the other flavor combinations. The two mints they've concocted are very complementary, as well. Daylight Mint is cool and refreshing, one of those no-frills cold mints that do the job right. Mintnight Mint (oh, Mentos, you're so punny), has a nice bite to it, a hint of peppery sweetness. Both are long-lasting.

Texture: Also well done. On the soft side, but balanced and maintains a good bite for a long while.

Presentation: The package is fairly simple and doesn't go for any big gimmicks that distract from the product. Even the coloring suggests the flavor differences in each gum-- the cooler flavor a starker navy blue, the more complex flavor teal. I think it's interesting that they showcase pictures of the gum itself (which is two-toned, a nice thematic touch) and don't clutter it up with leaves and ice and all the weird things minty gums usually showcase.

Overall: Success! Mentos, you've done it. This combination truly exudes what you were going for all along-- the option to have two different quality gums for the price of one.

Rating: ooooo (five gumballs)

Extra Winterfresh

Flavor: This is a cool, refreshing chew, but doesn't proclaim to overwhelm you with any extreme elements.  It won't clear your sinuses, and if you're looking for something to kill particularly heinous garlic bread breath, you're better off with a Dentyne Artic Chill pellet.  However, if you are looking for a nice mouth refresh in the middle of the day, this'll do it.

Texture: The firmness of it is nice, it's not too soft and not too hard, somewhere in the middle, leaning towards more firm.  What I don't like about it is that it's really sticky.  It sticks to my lips when I try to blow a little bubble, and it sticks to my teeth when I crack it.  

Packaging: Marvel at its beauty.  Gaze upon its splendor.  I happened upon this Plen-T-Pak on the shelves of my local Family Dollar.  I was taken aback, since it's been a long time since I've seen a Plen-T-Pak available.  I have to assume this gum is many years old (2008 maybe?) but it tastes okay, there's no expiration date on it, and the pack is almost gone and I haven't gotten sick and died, so I assume it's okay.  I thought that maybe I had discovered one of the last vestiges of a discontinued flavor, but a Google search revealed that Extra Winterfresh is, indeed, still a thing. 

Overall: I was really surprised to see that Winterfresh is still readily available, because we've never reviewed it and I thought we pretty much ran through all the Extras.  If I didn't come across this in Family Dollar, Winterfresh would most likely have remained unreviewed until the end of time.  While it's nothing to write home about, it's good to know that it's a decent option if your old standby isn't available on your checkout line.

Rating: ooo (three gumballs)

Trident Splashing Fruit

Flavor: Imagine for a moment that you've peeled a juicy, fresh tangerine right out of the fridge, and are about to take your first bite. What do you anticipate? A burst of flavor, tangy and full, overwhelming and refreshing, right? Now pop that first piece of Splashing Fruit into your mouth. Oh... it's like... peach? It's sort of... melony? I guess? The packaging here suggests this gum would mirror the experience of that bursting citrus flavor, as portrayed in the pictures of three very strong citrus wedges on the front of the package: grapefruit, lime, and orange. I'd say it's risky to claim to represent those flavors in any gum, since they're so strong and distinct. But here, it's downright wrong. I don't detect any lime at all, maybe a hint of grapefruit (maybe) somewhere in the there, and I suppose a sort of dull, tic-tac-like orange. Mostly, though, it's a very subtle melon flavor that lasts a fair amount of time but at no point wows the tastebuds.

Texture: For the most part, the texture here is standard for Trident, a good, consistent chew. It's a little soft for a short while after chewing, but forms back up into a good bite pretty quickly.

Presentation: Bold! Black background and bright aforementioned fruits misleads the chewer and leave you feeling disappointed in your purchase.

Overall: This gum might have had a fighting chance if it were marketed appropriately, but as it stands it just doesn't cut it. I'd be surprised if this one sticks around, and it's a shame, since it's pretty decent melon flavor overall.

Rating: ooo (three gumballs)

Juicy Fruit Juicy Riddle

Flavor: Another "mystery" offering from Juicy Fruit, but I don't think that they blatantly ripped a recently discontinued gum flavor with this one, like Juicy Secret did.  I get mainly citrus here, with a distinctly "Orange Tic Tac" undertone.  There's also some passionfruit in there, but it's not overpowering or overwhelming.  It should be noted that the flavor, while good, fades really fast into a generic "artificial sweetener" taste.

Texture: Could be better.  It's a little too tough for my tastes, but those with an affinity for a firm chew will enjoy it.  It's difficult to spread on the tongue, but once it's on there, it blows decent bubbles.  The firmness contribues to an extra-loud crack, as well.

Presentation:  Not much more to say here that hasn't been said about Juicy Secret.  Standard Juicy Fruit logo with some purty rainbowy effect for the border.  I'm a sucker for blues/pinks/purples, so I'm a fan.

Overall:  It's an okay gum.  Certainly not one that'll be in my constant rotation, but I'll admit I chewed through at least one pack, and had to seek it out to re-buy it to review.  Worth a try if you're the type that like figuring out riddles.  I just think that the "mystery" ship has sailed... there's no more excitement about it when you're releasing a new mystery flavor every 6 months.  It's been done.

Rating: ooo (three gumballs)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sorry we've been a bit slow around these parts... The Gum Girls are a bit bogged down with work, travel, kids... well, LIFE, at the moment, but rest assured we've got a bunch of great gums coming up for you, including Wrigley's 5 Swerve, Trident Splashing Mint & Fruit, and Juicy Fruit Juicy Riddle, just to name a few! 

Extra Smooth Mint

Flavor: The name says it all. It's a Smooth (dare I say "smoove?") Mint. It's heavier on peppermint than spearmint, but it's a nice mellow coolness that'll freshen your breath without taking your breath away like, say, Extra Polar Ice or a Dentyne pellet would do. The flavor lasts a really long time, too. It's not groundbreaking, but it's definitely nice to have another mint option that won't overwhelm the sinuses.

Texture: Starts off way too soft and a bit gritty, it takes a while for this one to really firm up into a chewable wad. But once it does, it's got a fantastic texture. Of course you can't blow any sort of respectable bubble, but if you're an experienced popper or cracker, you'll be able to annoy your officemate with a symphony of snaps.

Presentation: Nothing to write home about here. As we've said of Extra's packaging before, they let the gum do the legwork and shine for itself. They're certainly not wasting dollars in their graphic design department.

Overall: You know how some smells or tastes stick with you for life? As a Gum Girl, there are some gum flavors that will always take me back. A stick of Carefree Original Bubble will send me straight to the passenger seat of my mom's car. I know that Katie is in Boston at a Dispatch concert when she chews Trident Tropical Twist. And I don't ever think I'll be able to chew Winterfresh again, because it tastes like a badly-masked smoker's kiss to me.

Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of traveling for work to Sonoma, California to visit several wineries. It was the business trip of a lifetime. One of the most amazing wineries I went to was St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, in beautiful Santa Rosa. It was truly an awe-inspiring place. The facilities were pristine, the grounds were breathtaking, and the wine was a treat to the taste buds. After a special tour and dinner, our host, President & CEO Chris Silva brought our group into the vineyard where we toasted to good wine and good company. It was a moment that I won't soon forget.

I can always "return" to St. Francis at dinnertime by uncorking a bottle of Red Splash, but during work hours that's not really a possibility. Fortunately for me, just as we were leaving the winery, I popped a piece of Extra Smooth Mint for the car ride through the mountains from Sonoma into Napa. I put my head back and watched the full moon rise out the window, reflecting on St. Francis Winery and the amazing time I just had.

Now, whenever I chew this gum, my mind is transported back to the tranquil grounds of St. Francis, and the feeling of serenity I had while on my trip.


I don't expect you to feel that same feeling when chewing this gum, of course, but aside from the texture at the outset, it's a pretty great gum in an unexpected package.

Rating: oooo (four gumballs)

Orbit Wildberry Remix

Flavor: Sometimes, when gum emulates a flavor we experience elsewhere in the world, it's a true delight. Chocolate chip mint ice cream, for example, or strawberry shortcake. But there are some flavors we don't ever want to experience again, like, say, grape Children's Chewable Tylenol. And that's exactly what Orbit Wildberry Remix tastes like to me. When I first opened the package, I thought it smelled a little like grape Big League Chew, and I was excited for that first piece, but I quickly realized upon chewing that the scent I'd detected from my childhood was none other than grape Children's Chewable Tylenol. I hated it then, and I hate it now. The smell is so overwhelming I may have to toss the rest of the pack. Who wants to be reminded of headaches and fevers? Not me.

Texture: I don't want to chew this long enough to find out how the texture will hold up. It's fine, I don't know, I just want to get this lousy taste out of my mouth.

Presentation: The fashion packs are getting cooler, that's for sure. There's a contest on the inside of the flap for a chance to win something called "Orbit bucks." When I investigated the contest, I was annoyed to find that it was yet another product culling contact information for a vague reward. "Bucks" are applied in the Orbit store, where you can buy lots of things, from gift cards to books to "dorm decor." I guess if you're an avid Orbit chewer, it's nice, but it seems like a lot of steps that most folks won't really take. Two ways to enter: 1. Take a picture of an illustration in the pack and text it to Orbit (and whatever happens after you do that). 2. Enter the secret password onto their website (after filling out a form with all your contact information). You then win a certain amount of bucks which can be applied to prizes, which are categorized according to type and value. Whatever happened to scratch and win? I just don't think this is worth it. If you think I'm wrong-- shoot us a comment and let us know what cool stuff you've bought with your Orbit bucks.

Overall: At least Chewable Tylenol cures headaches. This stuff gives me one.

Rating: o (one gumball)