Root Beer World - root beer history, brands, recipes, news

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REAL SASSAFRAS
 
 
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Theyoungfanatic
Root Beer Fan
Root Beer Fan


Joined: Jun 14, 2008
Posts: 10

PostPosted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 7:39 pm    Post subject: REAL SASSAFRAS Reply with quote

I have recently found out that almost all rootbeer does not contain real sassafras! Evil or Very Mad
if anyone knows the brands of any remaining root beers that contain real sassafras please let me know!!
  
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Soda-MN-Good
Root Beer Freak
Root Beer Freak


Joined: Oct 23, 2007
Posts: 64
Location: Minne-Soda

PostPosted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 2:44 am    Post subject: Re: REAL SASSAFRAS Reply with quote

The roots of Sassafras were used in the flavoring of root beer until being banned by the FDA. Laboratory animals that were given oral doses of sassafras tea or sassafras oil that contained safrole developed permanent liver damage or various types of cancer. In humans, liver damage can take years to develop and it may not have obvious signs.

Hence why no root beers have Sassafras.

I learned this tidbit from the book that pops up on the left daily with the ice cream dish. I think it's called the history of the soda fountain or something like that. The book currently sits in my desk drawer because it sucks and uses WAY too many details to describe things. but i guess i did learn something from it. Still wouldn't recommend reading it though.
  
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anthony
Root Beer Freak
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Joined: Jul 24, 2004
Posts: 70
Location: the big NJ

PostPosted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 11:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

i believe it is just the sassafras OIL that was banned. not too long after the ban, a technique was developed to extract the oil from the roots and leave the flavor. now whether or not any brands actually USE sassafras still, i do not know. i would guess some do though. i may have to go back and check one day.
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kguske
Site Admin
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Joined: Jun 27, 2003
Posts: 349

PostPosted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 9:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

It didn't mention details about giving the lab rats extremely excessive "doses" (more like douses!) - much more in a concentrated timeframe than humans would ever ingest in a lifetime (ok, maybe not anthony!).

Still, though an extract process was developed, an artificial flavor was also developed, and it was so close to the natural flavor and much less expensive than extracting that it didn't make sense to to even use the extract...
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Bottoms up!
Kevin Guske

So heres a tribute toast with root beer in hand to you and the many mugs of suds along your happy trails. --Charles Wysocki, artist and root beer fan, 1928-2002
  
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aruzinsky
Root Beer Connoisseur
Root Beer Connoisseur


Joined: Oct 13, 2004
Posts: 161
Location: IL, USA

PostPosted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 9:53 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

kguske wrote:
It didn't mention details about giving the lab rats extremely excessive "doses" (more like douses!) - much more in a concentrated timeframe than humans would ever ingest in a lifetime (ok, maybe not anthony!).

Still, though an extract process was developed, an artificial flavor was also developed, and it was so close to the natural flavor and much less expensive than extracting that it didn't make sense to to even use the extract...


What is the chemical name of this artificial flavor? I am unaware of anything that comes close to the flavor of safrol, the alleged carcinogen.

I have read that some root beers contain sassafras oil that has been processed to remove the safrol. According to my chemical dictionary that would leave mostly eugenol, camphor, pinene and phellandrene, none of which I believe taste like safrol (except I admit I don't know what phellandrene taste like).
  
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Theyoungfanatic






PostPosted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 12:46 pm    Post subject: Re: REAL SASSAFRAS Reply with quote

good news! i recently purchased real sassafras from a store called christinas in boston. i think they are selling it illegally since only native amerricans can legaly sell it, but i dont think that christina knows.
  
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