A method for producing a chewing gum with a controlled release of caffeine, as well as the chewing gum so produced, is obtained by physically modifying caffeine's properties by coating and drying. Caffeine is coated by encapsulation, partially coated by agglomeration, entrapped by absorption, or treated by multiple steps of encapsulation, agglomeration, and absorption. The coated caffeine is then co-dried and particle sized to produce a release-modified caffeine. When incorporated into the chewing gum, these particles are adapted to produce a fast release or a delayed release when the gum is chewed.