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this post was submitted on 16 Jun 2025
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Today I Learned (TIL)
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Is it bugs? I bet it's bugs.
The vast majority is synthesized. Often from a wood byproduct.
They were probably referring to the old "it's made from beaver anuses" joke. Where in reality castoreum is extracted from an organ under skin near the tail. And is still used in very small amounts in some applications.
Every time we have this clarification, I imagine a scientist in a lab coat holding a beaver up by the tail, and pointing out the spot near the anus, which is not the anus.
But to anyone standing near by, they're still just effectively pointing out the beaver's anus.
I get that the myth is wrong, but the reality isn't enough better to be comforting.
It used to be made from beaver "secretions" whatever that might mean, not anymore but still.
You're talking about Castroreum. Basically beaver "musk". Which honesty not that weird. If you want weird, be weary of any deep red food that claims natural coloring