July 25, 2009

Consorcio Chicolero is a Mexican consortium that have taken their maxim directly out of an Italian Premier’s book: “make sure it don’t stick”. Their natural, biodegradable chewing gum, Chicza, does exactly that.

Made from naturally occurring chicle gum from the Mayan rainforest, Chicza is no stickier than a blob of Blu Tack and when disposed of crumbles to dust in a matter of weeks. Having already survived several corruption investigations, Silvio Berlusconi is equally adept at avoiding politically sticky ends.

The conventional, artificial, highly adhesive stuff, by comparison, is made from non-biodegradable petrol-based polymers (i.e. plastics) and sticks to pavements and shoes like a paid escort to her Villa Certosa attendance fee.  Ridding Britain’s streets of traditional chewing gum can cost taxpayers an eye-watering £413 million per year – a little something to chew on the next time you take a stroll around Leicester Square.

Grabbing yourself a pack of Chicza also gives you the moral high ground.   It’s the ultimate fair-trade product, providing support for around 10,000 people (2,000 gum farmers – chicoleros – and their families).  Berlusconi might do better to take a leaf out of Consorcio Chicoleros book then.

We did find Chicza a little hard to get going, but once you hit your stride it’s a deeply satisfying chew (not dissimilar to Patrizia D’Addario’s description of the alleged tryst with Berlusconi).   The natural flavouring is more subtle than its competitors (something the Italian leader has never be accused of), but in our view this is a plus.

If you, like us, lack Berlusconi’s political footwork, avoid a sticky situation with a good honest chew.

Where to buy:
Chicza comes in heirloom lime, wild mint and spearmint flavours and is currently available only in the UK at Waitrose stores and the Wahaca Mexican Restaurant, in London, Covent Garden (which, by the way, The Cuts The Mustard Team also recommends).  For further information visit www.chicza.com.