Natural flavoring

[gweimer]

My question is ..... who the hell decided to actually put "castoreum" in their mouths 80 years ago to determine if it was palatable?

I've asked the same question regarding how many poison mushrooms were consumed before finding the safe ones, and just what was it that compelled people to keep trying.

[the mojo hobo]

They probably found the magic mushrooms first and the poison ones later.

[Dave W]

I've asked the same question regarding how many poison mushrooms were consumed before finding the safe ones, and just what was it that compelled people to keep trying.

Yeah, always wondered about that. And tapioca too. It comes from cassava root which is poisonous, its toxin converts to cyanide in your system and can lead to paralysis or death. If someone eats something and drops dead, wouldn't you want to avoid it? What prompted anyone to figure out a way to process it?

[fur85]

"What prompted anyone to figure out a way to process it?"

Whoever it was probably hungry and hailed as a hero for figuring out how to process it. I ate plenty of casava (fufu) when i was in Sierra Leone. It's not very tasty but it does fill you up.

[Dave W]

"What prompted anyone to figure out a way to process it?"

Whoever it was probably hungry and hailed as a hero for figuring out how to process it. I ate plenty of casava (fufu) when i was in Sierra Leone. It's not very tasty but it does fill you up.

There's a high incidence of goiter and cretinism in societies that rely on cassava (manioc) as their main diet. Think about that the next time you eat tapioca pudding.

[gweimer]

There's a high incidence of goiter and cretinism in societies that rely on cassava (manioc) as their main diet. Think about that the next time you eat tapioca pudding.

...drool...

[Pilgrim]

There's a high incidence of goiter and cretinism in societies that rely on cassava (manioc) as their main diet. Think about that the next time you eat tapioca pudding.

I'll stick with BBQ brisket, thanks.

BTW.....I have figured out that a pizza with carefully selected stuff on it contains all the food groups needed to sustain life!!

[jumbodbassman]

I've asked the same question regarding how many poison mushrooms were consumed before finding the safe ones, and just what was it that compelled people to keep trying.

i am willing to taste test truffles...  especially the white ones

[uwe]

I prefer my beaver without vanilla, really ruins it for me. Obviously an American invention. 

[gweimer]

I prefer my beaver without vanilla, really ruins it for me. Obviously an American invention. 

I wouldn't be so sure.  Some things are seasoned just right as they are.

[gweimer]

OK...now you've done it...I spent time in the grocery store reading labels.  Nothing really obvious, so I tried to dig around.  You know, just mention the word "beaver" and we're off and running.
Of course, with what I've read, I'm wondering what Granny Clampett was really dabbing behind her ears.

http://www.vrg.org/blog/2011/06/17/beaver-gland-castoreum-not-used-in-vanilla-flavorings-according-to-manufacturers/

[4stringer77]

As much as I love talking about beaver, the one that really freaks me out is the use of aborted fetal cells in soft drink flavoring. If you haven't heard.
http://www.prisonplanet.com/pepsi-to-begin-using-unlabeled-sweetness-enhancing-mystery-ingredients-developed-by-aborted-fetal-cells-company.html
http://www.lifesitenews.com/blog/confused-about-the-pepsi-fetal-cell-issue-here-are-the-facts/

[gweimer]

And they used to say that the original Coca Cola and all those Dr. Feelgood medicines were bad for us.

[patman]

gotta admit I passed on the french vanilla coffee mate this morning...looks like I gotta stay away from the pop in the afternoon too.

[Highlander]

Ah... welcome to my world...

They often filter cheaper brands of sugar through burnt and pulverized bones to make it nice and white...

Cochineal -  a nice bright red natural food dye, made from dried and crushed Mexican beetles...

Castoreum... I can only guess that it was first noticed my fur-traders and whilst skinning beavers they noticed the smell...

How about food that are so outlandish it makes no sense - kidney beans are poisonous until cooked twice, and what about that Japanese fish that may or may not kill you if it is not prepared correctly...