OPEN POST! Is It True That Vanilla Flavoring Comes From Beaver Bums?

Here is the truth on the whole beaver butt goo in your vanilla flavoring that goes viral every few years. Yes, it's true that beavers secrete a substance called castoreum from sacs near their behinds, and it's been used in human products for over 2,000 years. But before you start picturing beavers lining up for a milking session, let's get real. The goo is incredibly rare and expensive, making it highly unlikely to end up in your ice cream or cookies. Plus, it's mostly used in niche foods and perfumes these days.

The process of obtaining castoreum involves anesthetizing the beavers and "milking" their castor glands. Yeah, it's nasty. But don't worry; the chances of accidentally ingesting beaver castor excretions are slim to none. Instead, artificial vanilla flavoring typically comes from synthetic sources like vanillin, which is a cheaper and less labor-intensive alternative to harvesting vanilla beans or castoreum.

So, while the Food and Drug Administration says castoreum is safe to eat, you can rest assured that your favorite sweet treats are more likely flavored with synthetic vanillin than beaver booty juice.

(photo:Wikipedia Commons)