Investigation into the North American love of Root beer
When living in another country it’s only natural to try some of the tastes of the new land. In my case, Root Beer has been a source of frustration. I love ginger beer; in its multiple varieties and thought Root Beer is just another carbonated, sweetened beverage. Time to time, I came across a supermarket or food shop that carried it and pick up some to see if I can acquire the taste. I have tried multiple sources and gotten completely disgusted by it. One day I figured I would do it right and went to an A&W restaurant for a fountain style glass of it. A&W’s version of the frothy brown soft drink is the most famous. Sure enough, right upon opening up the sealed plastic cup, I was hit with a whiff that smelled just like Iodex. I actually found myself taking deeper and deeper sniffs trying to break down the flavor but then realized that inhaling something that resembles a known source of addiction probably wasn’t good for the old brain cells and stopped.
The reason for the absence of the drink on the Global market is obvious. Although root beer has its share of detractors even in its home of America, the sheer number of people who can’t stand the stuff in Rest of the world is huge. By far the most popular reason for disliking it is that it tastes like medicine. By a wide margin, most people I’ve talked to compare it to the scent of a pain balm or a chemical hot or cold gel used for muscle aches and injuries. A popular comparison is to Iodex. The closest beverage that it resembles is a Dr. Pepper (also fairly hated in Rest of the world)
What is it that makes root beer so overwhelmingly disgusting to Rest of the world's people?
Off to the rabbit hole (Internet)
Root beer uses various roots (hence the name) that might be used in medicines such as licorice. There are also hints of Mint and Wintergreen favours added. Both are ingredients in topical pain relievers. Suddenly it all added up. People in Rest of the world would likely associate the smell of root beer to the pain-relieving medication This leaves the question of why root beer smells like medication with addictive chemicals.Sassafras root beverages were made by indigenous peoples of the Americas for culinary and medicinal reasons before the arrival of Europeans in North America, and European culinary techniques have been applied to making traditional sassafras-based beverages similar to root beer since the 16th century. Sassafras was banned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration due to the carcinogenicity of its constituent Safrole .
So, did the people who gave the world Tobacco, also gave us another item to get cancer from? Wonderful!
But hold on, most commercial recipes do not contain Sassafras. Even when they contain, Safrole is removed. More research… and… Bingo!!!
The plant shown above is the Gaultheria procumbens also called American Wintergreen. Wintergreen berries, from Gaultheria procumbens, are used medicinally. Native Americans brewed a tea from the leaves to alleviate rheumatic symptoms, headache, fever, sore throat, and various aches and pains. Wintergreen oil (greater than 95% of which is methyl salicylate) is the common ingredient between Medicated balms or pain sprays like Iodex and Root Beer rather than any added scent. It is used in high concentrations as a counter-irritant and pain-reliever in deep heating ointments to treat joint and muscular pain. It is used as a surrogate for the research of chemical warfare agent Sulfur Mustard. It is added in root beer because it has a flavor similar to mint.
Salicylates are organic chemicals that contain Salicylic acid as their foundation base found naturally in many herbs, vegetables, fruits, and nuts. Salicylates act like preservatives and a protective mechanism in foods, they prevent rot and disease and protect against pests. They are stored in the most vulnerable plant parts; the leaves, bark, roots, skin and seeds. The methyl salicylate that is the active analgesic ingredient in some heat-rub products can be toxic if they are used in excess. We regularly consume salicylates and our body has to detoxify and clear away these chemicals before they accumulate.
In conclusion, if you hate Root Beer, there is no benefit and significant cost to trying to build a taste for it. So, keep avoiding Root Beer. Also, if the chronic pain you have does not go despite repeatedly applying pain ointment, go see a Doctor.
The reason for the absence of the drink on the Global market is obvious. Although root beer has its share of detractors even in its home of America, the sheer number of people who can’t stand the stuff in Rest of the world is huge. By far the most popular reason for disliking it is that it tastes like medicine. By a wide margin, most people I’ve talked to compare it to the scent of a pain balm or a chemical hot or cold gel used for muscle aches and injuries. A popular comparison is to Iodex. The closest beverage that it resembles is a Dr. Pepper (also fairly hated in Rest of the world)
What is it that makes root beer so overwhelmingly disgusting to Rest of the world's people?
Off to the rabbit hole (Internet)
Root beer uses various roots (hence the name) that might be used in medicines such as licorice. There are also hints of Mint and Wintergreen favours added. Both are ingredients in topical pain relievers. Suddenly it all added up. People in Rest of the world would likely associate the smell of root beer to the pain-relieving medication This leaves the question of why root beer smells like medication with addictive chemicals.Sassafras root beverages were made by indigenous peoples of the Americas for culinary and medicinal reasons before the arrival of Europeans in North America, and European culinary techniques have been applied to making traditional sassafras-based beverages similar to root beer since the 16th century. Sassafras was banned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration due to the carcinogenicity of its constituent Safrole .
So, did the people who gave the world Tobacco, also gave us another item to get cancer from? Wonderful!
But hold on, most commercial recipes do not contain Sassafras. Even when they contain, Safrole is removed. More research… and… Bingo!!!
The plant shown above is the Gaultheria procumbens also called American Wintergreen. Wintergreen berries, from Gaultheria procumbens, are used medicinally. Native Americans brewed a tea from the leaves to alleviate rheumatic symptoms, headache, fever, sore throat, and various aches and pains. Wintergreen oil (greater than 95% of which is methyl salicylate) is the common ingredient between Medicated balms or pain sprays like Iodex and Root Beer rather than any added scent. It is used in high concentrations as a counter-irritant and pain-reliever in deep heating ointments to treat joint and muscular pain. It is used as a surrogate for the research of chemical warfare agent Sulfur Mustard. It is added in root beer because it has a flavor similar to mint.
Salicylates are organic chemicals that contain Salicylic acid as their foundation base found naturally in many herbs, vegetables, fruits, and nuts. Salicylates act like preservatives and a protective mechanism in foods, they prevent rot and disease and protect against pests. They are stored in the most vulnerable plant parts; the leaves, bark, roots, skin and seeds. The methyl salicylate that is the active analgesic ingredient in some heat-rub products can be toxic if they are used in excess. We regularly consume salicylates and our body has to detoxify and clear away these chemicals before they accumulate.
In conclusion, if you hate Root Beer, there is no benefit and significant cost to trying to build a taste for it. So, keep avoiding Root Beer. Also, if the chronic pain you have does not go despite repeatedly applying pain ointment, go see a Doctor.
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