Chicle
Chicle, the coagulated latex of the sapodilla tree. It is a tough, firm, elastic substance chiefly used in making chewing gum. Most chicle comes from southern Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize. During May and June, V-shaped cuts are made in the bark of the trees and the latex is collected in cups placed beneath the cuts. This latex is boiled down in kettles, then molded into blocks.
The sapodilla tree is found throughout tropical America. It is an evergreen with hard, reddish wood. Under favorable conditions, it reaches a height of 70 feet (20 m). In subtropical regions, it is grown for its edible fruit. This fruit is a reddish, pear-shaped berry about five inches (13 cm) long, called the naseberry or marmalade plum.
The sapodilla tree is Manilkara zapota of the family Sapotaceae.