chicle

thumb|Chicle (white substance) oozing from the pod of a Manilkara zapota (sapodilla) tree in [[Panama]] thumb|Chicle chunks Chicle () is a latex traditionally used in making chewing gum and other products. It is collected from several species of Mesoamerican trees in the genus Manilkara, including M. zapota, M. chicle, M. staminodella, and M. bidentata.

The tapping of the gum is similar to the tapping of latex from the rubber tree: zig-zag gashes are made in the tree trunk and the dripping gum is collected in small bags. It is then boiled until it reaches the correct thickness. Locals who collect chicle are called chicleros.