Top Chef ‘villain,’ homemade Oreos, bubble gum string cheese and more By Rene Lynch March 31, 2010 10:45 AM PT ...

1/8 tsp. citric acid burgundy gel colouring Instructions: Place the gum base in a double boiler and melt. Let it cool, then add the icing sugar, syrup, citric acid, flavouring and colour.

Ever since, gum aficionados have enjoyed bubble gum. Part of the appeal is simple: It’s an amusement device, like having a chewable balloon. The other part is taste.