Raspberry Popsicles and Beaver Butts
Despite their name, raspberry popsicles don’t actually get their flavor from raspberries. Instead, the taste comes from one of the most surprising sources imaginable—beaver butts. One of the key ingredients in these sweet treats is castoreum, a secretion from glands located near a beaver’s tail. It might sound gross, but people have been using it for nearly a century
How did humans even discover this? The process of harvesting castoreum is far from pleasant for everyone involved, so only a small amount is collected each year. This makes it a highly concentrated ingredient. Interestingly, castoreum isn’t just used in food—it’s also found in perfumes and other fragrances due to its musky scent. While it’s FDA-approved and considered safe, many companies now opt for synthetic alternatives. Still, it’s a fascinating example of how unexpected ingredients can end up in everyday products. Would you have guessed this quirky fact?
