Black Black

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This article is about the caffeinated Japanese chewing gum. For the Los Angeles, California-based indie rock group, see Blackblack.

Black Black is a brand of caffeinated chewing gum produced in Japan and South Korea^{[citation needed]} by Lotte. It has been sold since 1983,^[1] and is popular in Japan, partially due to its well-known television commercials that star Jean-Claude Van Damme. It became popular in the United States after being mentioned in Wired Magazine.^[2] The gum's name is derived from its charcoal-like color.

Ingredients include sugar, starch syrup, grape sugar, erisuritol, oolong tea extract, ginkgo extract, chrysanthemum flower extract, gum base, flavorings, coloring agents (cacao, gardenia), caffeine, and nicotinamide. A persistent urban legend holds that the gum contains nicotine, the misconception stemming from confusion with nicotinamide, a much different substance related to the B vitamins. The packaging contains some strangely phrased Engrish on the label that reads, "HI-TECHNICAL * EXCELLENT TASTE AND FLAVOUR". Some sticks also say "YES, CHEWING!".

In western Japan (Osaka, Shikoku, etc.) the gum sells for around 105 Yen a pack in most supermarkets and convenience stores.

In the United States, Black Black may be procured through a variety of mail order and online companies (see External links) and in many Asian supermarkets (check local stores for availability).

[edit] Notes and references

^ ロッテ商品カタログガム, Lotte(Japan) products information of chewing gum (Japanese). Lotte (Japan). Retrieved on 2008-01-25. “昭和58年6月に「眠気スッキリ！ブラックブラックガム」を発売 In June, Shōwa 58 (1983), the sales of black black gum started.”
^ What Wired staffers bought this month 1. Wired magazine (February 2003). Retrieved on 2006-09-12.