What Is Root Beer—And Why Is It Called Root Beer? (2024)

FAQs

What Is Root Beer—And Why Is It Called Root Beer? ›

The name “root beer” is twofold. The “root” comes from the inclusion of sassafras root as the main flavorant, though other roots and barks were often added, so “root beer” often made sense rather than just “sassafras beer.” The “beer” part comes from the brewing process.

Root beer gets its name and aromatic quality from its primary flavoring ingredient: the root of a sassafras tree. This tree is found in most of the Eastern United States and was often used by Indigenous tribes for its medicinal properties, treating wounds, infections, and fevers.

While no standard recipe exists, the primary ingredients in modern root beer are filtered water, sugar, and safrole-free sassafras extract, which complements other flavors.

Invented in North America, the drink has characteristic herbal, earthy notes that have traditionally been imparted by sassafras root (Sassafras albidum), wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens), or sarsaparilla (a flavoring agent made from Smilax species) and other natural flavorings such as birch (Betula species) and ...

Sassafras (a tree) and sarsaparilla (a vine) were traditionally used--along with other substances like licorice root, mint, nutmeg, and more--to flavour root beer.

Why Is Root Beer Called Root Beer? The name “root beer” is twofold. The “root” comes from the inclusion of sassafras root as the main flavorant, though other roots and barks were often added, so “root beer” often made sense rather than just “sassafras beer.” The “beer” part comes from the brewing process.

Then, in the 1960s, everything changed. Laboratory tests showed that an oil found in both sassafras and sarsaparilla, called safrole, caused liver cancer in rodents. Shortly thereafter, the FDA prohibited the commercial use of both plants, and root beer companies had to change their recipes.

Indigenous peoples in the Americas have long been using sassafras and sarsaparilla—the central ingredients to root beer—for culinary and medicinal purposes, including infused beverages.

They leased their first two Root Beer stands to other operators so they could expand into the larger city of Sacramento. This was around the same time the partners coined the new name A&W®, “A” for Allen & “W” for Wright.

Soda drinks like root beer are quite acidic because of phosphoric and citric acids. They also contain carbon dioxide, aka bubbles. Their low pH (high acidity) gets down into the muscle fibers enough for the balance you want — enough to break down some of the proteins without dissolving your meat into a mushy texture.

Is root beer good for you? ›

Consuming root beer occasionally is acceptable. However, consuming it more than a couple of times a week can affect your health, cause weight gain, and eventually invite other health problems such as obesity and other chronic diseases.

Vernor's boasts the oldest soda in America, but not the world. That belongs to Schweppe's, who created a carbonated mineral water in 1783. Other old sodas include Hires Root Beer (1876), Moxie 1876, Dr. Pepper (1885) Coca-Cola (1886) and Pepsi (1893.

Barq's (/ˈbɑːrks/) is an American brand of root beer created by Edward Barq and bottled since the beginning of the 20th century. It is owned by the Coca-Cola Company. It was known as "Barq's Famous Olde Tyme Root Beer" until 2012.

As noted earlier, root beer naturally does not contain alcohol, and it's also caffeine and gluten free. But there are exceptions to the rule, such as when caffeine or alcohol are intentionally added back to the formula to create energy drinks or hard sodas.

It has historically had alcohol in it, depending on the version and the purpose for its brew. Root beer has been used, though, as a medicinal drink, a tincture, and a fun soda pop alternative to beer. It has even been made from two different roots, both often marketed as root beer.

Sure. Why not. It's just a beverage (carbonated sugar water). Frankly, I'm more surprised that you have a child than you fretting about allowing the child to drink root beer.

The roots and barks of the sassafras tree contain a high concentration of the chemical named safrole. Safrole was listed as a carcinogen in rats by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is hence banned at present. The risk of developing cancer increases with the amount consumed and duration of consumption.