Vanilla Ice Cream And Beaver Butts
As you might’ve guessed from the title, this one is truly bizarre. The unique vanilla flavor found in many brands of vanilla ice cream actually comes from beaver butts. Technically, it’s called castoreum, but let’s keep it real—it’s a secretion from their glands. While many mammals have similar glands near their rear ends for marking territory, the distinct taste of beaver castoreum comes from their diet of bark and leaves
The FDA has deemed it safe for human consumption, but because of the, well, awkwardness of the term "beaver butt," most companies prefer to label it as "natural flavoring" instead.
Ever wonder why it’s so hard to find this ingredient listed by name? It’s a perfect example of how food labeling can be both transparent and vague at the same time. Interestingly, castoreum is also used in perfumes and cosmetics, adding a musky, sweet aroma. While it’s not as common in food today due to cost and sourcing challenges, it’s still a fascinating example of nature’s surprising contributions to our everyday products. So, the next time you enjoy a scoop of vanilla ice cream, you might just think twice about what’s really in it!
