Chicle
Chicle
Chicle (/ˈtʃɪkəl/; from Nahuatl tziktli tzíctli) is a natural gum traditionally used in making chewing gum and other products. It is collected from several species of Mesoamerican trees in the Manilkara genus, including, most commonly, Manilkara zapota.
Etymology
The word chicle comes from the Nahuatl word tziktli (tzíctli), which can be translated as 'sticky stuff'. It is a diminutive of the word tzic, meaning 'resin'.
History
Chicle was well known to the indigenous people of Mesoamerica and was used for various purposes. The ancient Maya and Aztecs used chicle as a base for a substance to clean their teeth. In the 19th century, chicle was introduced to the Western world, where it was first used as a rubber substitute, and later as the main ingredient in chewing gum.
Collection and Use
Chicle is harvested by making incisions into the bark of the Manilkara tree and collecting the sap that flows out. This sap is then boiled until it reaches the correct consistency, and then it is molded into blocks for use in various products. The most well-known use of chicle is in the production of chewing gum. However, it is also used in other products such as adhesives and pharmaceuticals.
Related Terms
- Manilkara zapota: The most common tree species from which chicle is harvested.
- Mesoamerica: The region where chicle was first used and is still harvested today.
- Nahuatl: The language from which the word chicle originates.
- Chewing gum: The most well-known product made from chicle.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Chicle
- Wikipedia's article - Chicle
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