In my quest for more knowledge about the "foods" we are offered at the grocery store, I stumbled across this gem: Castoreum.
Castoreum is labeled as "natural flavoring" in cakes, ice cream, cookies, and flavorings such as vanilla and strawberry. While this is technically a "natural" flavor, I believe you have the right to know where this product is sourced.
BEAVER BUTT! That's right. BEAVER BUTT. Castoreum is extracted from the anal sacs they use to spray their territory and mark it as their own. Apparently, it is actually not a stinky brown slime, it is a good-smelling brown slime!
Knowledge is power, and if you didn't already know this tidbit, well, now you do and can make informed decisions. As a person who agrees whole-heartedly with hunting, using all the parts of a kill, and sourcing natural ingredients, I also believe there should be a heck of a lot more transparency about ingredients simply listed as "natural". I question how so much of this product is sourced and will be doing more research on my own, as I encourage others to do as well.
http://www.businessinsider.com/castoreum-used-in-food-and-perfume-2013-10
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castoreum
The catalyst for my research? I bought an ice cream cone from Burger King, something anyone who knows me knows I am not in the habit of doing, but it was sooooo hot! I began eating the cone part and got an extra "ingredient":
Of course, it was an accident. The replacement cone was without the little paper so the paper inside the first one was clean. But it got the wheels turning as to what might be in the ice cream since it was only $1. To be clear, I cannot tell from the ingredients list on Burger King's website that it contains castoreum. It says "natural and artificial flavoring". I have to admit, it tasted reallllly good. That's the hook. Faux foods get us everytime.
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