Last week, I received a coupon for one free package of Stride Shift Gum from CVS Pharmacy. Being a regular user of sugar free gum, I was eager to redeem the coupon. The flavor that I chose was the Berry Mint variety and I have mixed feelings about the product.
Although I rotate purchase and consumption of several different brands of sugar free gum, I had never tried Stride Shift Gum before receiving the coupon. Interestingly, Stride Shift Berry Mint Gum is billed as a Flavor Changing Gum and I found that the flavor does indeed change. Presented here, in an effort to assist the consumer, is one food writer’s product review of Stride Shift Berry Mint Gum.
Size The standard – sized package of Stride Shift Berry Mint Gum contains 14 large pieces of sugarfree gum. These pieces of gum seem larger than many other brands of sugar free gum, but after being chewed for a while, they end up being essentially the same size as most other pieces of gum. In physical size, the package is fairly large, it measures approximately 3.25 inches x 2 inches.
Price The regular retail price charged for one regular – sized pckage of Stride Shift Berry Mint Gum at Hartford, Connecticut area pharmacies, convenience stores and supermarkets is approximately $1.29. This price is about the same as most other packages of sugar free gum. Because of the large size of the pieces and the long – lasting properties of the gum, I think that this price is reasonable.
Texture The texture of Stride Shift Berry Mint Gum is pleasant enough, when it is first chewed. But, like any other brand of gum, after it has been chewed for a while, its texture changes. Even though it is known for its long – lasting properties, after I have been chewing a piece of this gum for a half hour or so, it begins to fade in chewing pleasure.
Also, I wear a Partial denture in place of several top teeth and this gum has a tendency to stick to the denture after being chewed for a short period of time.
Nutritional Facts Stride Shift Berry Mint Gum contains less than 5 calories, per one piece serving. This sugar free gum also contains 0 grams total fat, 0 mg of sodium, 1 gram total carbohydrates, 0 grams of sugars, 1 gram of sugar alcohol and 0 grams of protein, per one piece serving.
Taste / Flavor I really want to like the flavor of this gum, but doing so isn’t that easy. It’s not that I dislike the flavor of Stride Shift Berry Mint Gum, it just doesn’t seem to be very well – balanced in flavor. In theory, combining mint and berry flavors sounds like a great idea, but because both of those flavors are so distinct, the combining should be done carefully.
Of course, this item is promoted as a Flavor Changing Gum, so I guess it does what it’s supposed to. At any given moment, I’ll be enjoying the flavor of this gum, but then, all of a sudden, it doesn’t taste so great.
It’s too bad the makers of Stride Shift Berry Mint Gum didn’t do a public taste — test with the product before it hit the retail stores. If they had taste – tested it on the general public, perhaps they would have dicovered that some consumers felt that the gum tasted sort of strange.
When I first start chewing a piece of Stride Shift Berry Mint Gum, it tastes pretty good. The predominant flavor at that point is berry. Shortly thereafter, the flavor of the mint kicks in and it just seems a little out of balance.
Packaging The packaging of Stride Shift Berry Mint Gum is actually quite impressive. The package is so attractive, I just want to show it to people that I encounter. The cardboard package features a large white “S” on a bright and dynamic red and blue background.
A flip – top opening is in the front, which, when lifted, falls open, revealing two, sectioned, vertical rows of gum pieces. The package reminds me of some European brands of cigarettes, which elegantly open the same way.
Overall Rating All things considered, Stride Shift Berry Mint Gum is a decent – tasting gum, with two distinct flavors that are not necessarily balanced to their full potential. Each piece of this gum is large and it is promoted as a long – lasting gum. I think that the main attribute this gum has to offer, is its classy packaging.
Of course, everyone’s tastes are different. Perhaps you’ll try this gum and think it’s the greatest thing you’ve ever tasted. Overall, this gum isn’t bad, I just think that the flavor could use a little more berry and a little less mint.
Sources : Personal experience with the product
The product label
http://www.stridegum.com
