Nov 21, 2023 · If you’ve been on the internet in recent years, you might have seen the claim that artificial vanilla flavoring found in cookies or ice cream comes from goo secreted out of beaver …

But is there any truth to this claim? Or is it just a hoax that has spread on social media? Here, we break down what a beaver's behind may have to do with your next dessert's flavoring — and if …

Learn where vanilla flavoring comes from, what imitation vanilla is made of, and whether vanilla extract really comes from beavers. Get evidence-based answers about vanilla’s origin.

Jun 4, 2025 · Artificial vanilla is in everything—from cookies to candles—but where does it come from? Here’s what you didn’t know about castoreum, synthetic flavors, and why your dessert …

Jul 28, 2025 · Vanilla extract is in nearly every baking recipe, but what is it? And where does vanilla flavoring come from? We have the answers from beans to beaver butts.

Jan 26, 2022 · Ninety-nine percent of the world’s vanilla extract is fake imitation vanilla that’s not a product of the plant itself. Instead, it's flavored primarily with synthetic vanillin (a lab-produced …

Dec 29, 2021 · Is vanilla extract coming from beaver secretions? Not anymore. Artificial vanilla comes from petrochemicals and real natural extract, from the bean.

News articles or food influencers on social media might have you believe that castoreum, a yellow, syrupy substance from the castor sacs near a beaver ’s anus, is used as everyday …

Mar 8, 2023 · It's a myth that artificial vanilla flavoring comes from castoreum extracted from beaver castor sacs. Flavor chemists explain that artificial vanilla flavor is made from synthetic …

What is the difference between pure vanilla extract and imitation vanilla? Pure vanilla extract is made from real vanilla beans, while imitation vanilla, often called "vanilla essence," is typically …