Common Mistakes and Questions When Chewing Spruce Gum
Natural spruce gum is very different from commercial chewing gum. Because it is pure tree resin, it behaves differently at first and takes a little practice to understand. These are the most asked questions and common mistakes beginners make when learning to chew natural spruce resin.
At Alberta Wildcraft, we take pride in making sure our customers know what to expect and how to have the best possible experience when chewing natural spruce gum.
Most beginners simply need to learn the process. Once you understand how natural resin behaves, chewing spruce gum becomes simple and enjoyable.
Below are some of the most common things beginners notice when chewing natural spruce gum for the first time.
When the Resin Crumbles to Powder
One of the most common beginner mistakes is biting down on spruce resin the same way you would chew food or commercial gum.
Because the resin is still firm and cool, biting down too quickly can cause it to crumble into powder, sometimes sticking to the teeth.
This simply means the resin hasn’t warmed up yet.
What to do:
Let the piece warm in your mouth first. Gently suck on it for a short time, then slowly compress it using one tooth before beginning to chew. As it warms, the pieces will gradually bind together and form natural chewing gum.
When the Gum Feels Hard at First
Spruce resin naturally starts out firm. It needs a little warmth and saliva before it softens into a comfortable chew.
What to do:
Start with a small piece and allow it to warm up slowly before chewing fully.
When the Pieces Don’t Come Together or Won’t Turn Into Gum
Sometimes beginners end up with a very small piece, or it wont form at all.
This usually means the resin has not fully warmed or the balance of saliva hasn’t developed yet, and they have swallowed most of their pieces. It also means they did not keep it localized in one spot. You did nothing wrong, its just an art to learn the process, and does take some patience.
Saliva plays an important role in helping the resin soften and bind together. Too much saliva can make the pieces float away, too little can keep the resin too firm.
What to do:
Let the resin warm slowly in your mouth and gently compress it on one tooth while chewing. Periodically swallow excess saliva and continue warming the resin folding the pieces onto each other. As the resin softens and the balance develops, the pieces will begin to bind together and form chewing gum.
It is important to keep the piece on one side, allowing it to travel all over the mouth will result in loosing your pieces and not forming the gum. Read my comprehensive step by step guide here
When the Flavor Feels Strong
Natural spruce resin has a true forest flavor because it contains no sweeteners or artificial ingredients.
Many people find the flavor softens as the gum warms and continues to be chewed.
Help! Pieces are Everywhere and Sticking to My Teeth!
- Start a Fresh Piece: Take a new piece of resin and follow our Step-by-Step Guide to warm it and work it into a firm, stable wad of gum first.
- The "Sticky Trap": Once you have a solid, non-sticky wad of gum, use your tongue to roll that wad over the areas where the resin is stuck to your teeth.
- Gather the Pieces: The firm gum will naturally "grab" the stray fragments. Keep rolling and chewing the wad around your mouth until your teeth are completely clear and the pieces are incorporated into the main gum.
Common Questions About Chewing Spruce Gum
How long can I chew spruce gum?
Natural spruce gum can be chewed for a very long time. Many people chew the same piece for multiple days, and some even keep a piece going for weeks.
Where do I put my gum when I’m done chewing?
You can place it almost anywhere while taking a break. Traditionally people have stuck spruce gum on a bedpost, windowsill, dresser, parchment paper, pocket, or back in the tin until they are ready to chew again.
Does spruce gum collect bacteria?
Spruce resin is naturally antibacterial, which is one of the reasons it has been used traditionally for so long.
Can I make my own spruce gum?
Yes. If you're interested in learning the traditional process, I’ve also written a guide explaining how to collect spruce resin and prepare your own chewing gum.
Does spruce gum expire?
Natural spruce resin does not spoil the way food does. When stored properly in a cool, dry place, spruce gum can last for many years. Over time it may become firmer, but it will soften again once warmed in the mouth.
Can children chew spruce gum?
Yes, as long as they are old enough to safely chew gum and understand not to swallow it.
Can I chew spruce gum every day?
Many people enjoy chewing spruce gum regularly. Because it is natural tree resin, it does not contain the sweeteners or additives found in modern chewing gum. I myself, chew spruce gum every single day.
Why do people chew spruce gum?
People chew spruce gum for many reasons. Some enjoy it as a natural alternative to commercial gum, while others simply enjoy having something to chew that comes directly from nature.
Can chewing spruce gum help keep the mouth clean?
Chewing any natural gum stimulates the jaw and saliva. Saliva helps keep the mouth moist and can assist in naturally rinsing the teeth and mouth while chewing. Traditionally spruce and pine resin is naturally antiseptic, antibacterial and antimicrobial. Saliva helps to bring important minerals to the teeth which helps them to repair enamel. A dry mouth is a major cause of bacteria and cavities.
Does chewing spruce gum exercise the jaw?
Yes. Chewing natural resin gum can provide a firm chew, which naturally engages the jaw muscles.
Why do some people use chewing gum when trying to quit smoking?
Many people find that chewing gum gives them something to do with their mouth, which can help replace the habit of reaching for a cigarette.
Can chewing gum help with nervous habits?
Some people enjoy chewing gum because the repetitive chewing motion can be calming and help occupy the mind.
Why choose natural tree gum instead of commercial gum?
Many people choose natural spruce gum because they want a simple, all-natural chewing experience.
Traditional tree resin gum is made directly from spruce resin and contains no artificial sweeteners, synthetic gum bases, dyes, or chemical additives commonly found in modern chewing gum.
For people who prefer natural, organic-style products and a more traditional way of doing things, spruce gum offers a cleaner and more natural alternative.
Final Thoughts
Natural spruce gum is a simple product of the forest, and like many traditional things, it comes with a small learning curve. Once you understand how resin softens and develops its chew, the experience becomes easy and enjoyable.
At Alberta Wildcraft, we believe that sharing knowledge is just as important as providing the product itself. By understanding what to expect and how natural resin behaves, new chewers can enjoy spruce gum the way it has been enjoyed for generations.
If you're new to chewing spruce gum and want to see the full process step by step, you can read our complete guide here:
Mastering Spruce Resin
A complete learning path from tree to traditional uses.
Start Here
1. What Is Spruce Resin? A Beginner’s Guide2. How to Identify Spruce and Pine Trees for Resin Harvesting
3. How to Find Resin in the Forest – Training the Resin Eye
4. How to Harvest and Filter Resin Pitch
Chewing Spruce Gum
5. How to Chew Spruce Gum – Complete Beginner’s Guide6. Common Mistakes and Questions When Chewing Spruce Gum
7. Mastic Gum vs Spruce Gum
8. Why Spruce & Pine Resin Gum Is Making a Comeback
Traditional Uses of Spruce Resin
9. Medicinal Uses of Spruce and Pine Resin10. Using Pine or Spruce Pitch for Waterproofing
Forest Recipes
11. Spruce, Pine and Fir Resin – Recipe Included12. Wildcrafted Pine Pop – Make Natural Forest Soda
13. Spruce Herbal Tea