Austin-born Rev Gum Energizes the Caffeine Scene

Rev Gum for Energy — Rev Gem offers an energy kick in an easy-to-consume package (Credit: Bill Tucker)

If you’re like 92 percent of Austinites, then you’re exhausted. Between work, family, and other commitments, it’s impossible to juggle everything without catching a case of the sleepies. So what are your options? Coffee? Soda? Adrenaline shots?

Personally, I’m diabetic (so sugar is out) and I don’t drink coffee (sacrilege, I know). My options are limited–until now. Enter locally-owned and Austin-made Rev Gum, a high octane caffeinated chewing gum designed to provide an energy kick in an easy-to-consume package. After weeks field testing at my office desk during my 2 p.m. energy dip, I’ve come to some conclusions. Read on to find them!

Rev Gum: Born From Necessity

Rev Gum Peppermint Flavor — Credit: Julia Keim

Back in 2017, Rev Gum co-founder and CEO Blake Settle was in a similar boat. Late one night, while cramming for an exam, he realized there were no energy-boosting options available to him. As a diabetic, sugary energy drinks were out and good luck finding a coffee shop open at 2 a.m. As an enterprising University of Texas undergrad, a solution sprang to mind.

“I thought, ‘I’m a chemistry major from UT! I ought to he able to take caffeine from coffee, stick it into gum, and create an energy gum,'” shared Blake. “Little did I know how hard it would be to mask the caffeine!”

Fast-forward two years and this chemistry major turned entrepreneur gained the know-how to produce the gum of his dreams. Packed with 100 milligrams of caffeine, about the same amount as a standard cup of coffee, Rev Gum is taking Austin by storm. After only a few months, you can find Rev Gum in approximately 250 stores.

And the Results Are…

Rev Gum Spearmint Flavor — Credit: Regina Pyne

The results are great! Rev Gum currently comes in two flavors, peppermint and spearmint. Of the two, peppermint comes out on top due to its forceful flavor, but you can’t go wrong with either. The taste lasts a decent amount of time, more than enough to get the job done.

And boy, oh boy. This gum works as advertised! Within five minutes of chewing, I immediately perk up without the stomach-upsetting effects of diet soda. Rev Gum is a perfect fix for my aforementioned 2 o’clock case of the sleepies. No jittery feeling, no heart flutter. Just a much needed burst of energy without a sugar smack.

The only downside is the main flavor burst doesn’t last quite as long as mainstream products. Luckily, both spearmint and peppermint are pervasive aromas, so hints of the good stuff last a while. It’s a nice balance that allows for a long chew.

Austin Ingenuity On Full Display

Rev Gum Launch Party — Rev Gum CEO Blake Settle (right) with Governor Abbot at the Rev Gum launch party (Credit: Bill Tucker)

The end result is a promise fulfilled. With a new cinnamon flavor in the works and further product improvements, there’s more variety on the horizon. And expect the brand to branch out in Austin and beyond over the next few months. All of it built with a heart for helping others do more.

“It’s been a product that I’ve been able to enjoy and and I hope other people can find a use for it, as well,” said Blake. “I hope it helps somebody else in their journey”.

Rev Gum isn’t a simple product you find in convenience stores. It’s the culmination of ingenuity, drive, and old-fashioned hard work. Born from the brain of an enterprising underclassman, this feel-good story churned out a tasty solution for those in need of a caffeine fix. My 2 p.m. tired is now infinitely more productive thanks to this innovative, homegrown gum.

Purchase Rev Gum online or find a store in Austin near you.

@BillTuckerTSP wants to know:

Where do you go to get your caffeine fix?