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Root beer is a sweet North American soft drink traditionally made using the root bark of the sassafras tree Sassafras albidum or the vine of Smilax ornata (known as sarsaparilla; also used to make a soft drink called sarsaparilla) as the primary flavor.
Jan 12, 2022 · Few things are as American as Coca Cola or apple pie, except for maybe root beer. That’s right, root beer. The history of this classic carbonated beverage is fascinating and raises some questions. For example, why is root beer called root beer anyway?
Mar 15, 2023 · This title is well-earned, as the origins of root beer are closely tied to the formation of the United States. Throughout history, many indigenous tribes of North America created their own root beverages using locally grown roots, barks, herbs and spices.
Oct 16, 2023 · Root beer got its name from one of its original ingredients, sassafras root. Native Americans used sassafras root for medicinal purposes, and later, European colonizers learned to make beverages from the root. The drink was initially called “small beer” or “small root beer” before simply being referred to as “root beer.”
Once first settlers came to America, they made beer to avoid drinking unsafe water. Depending on their needs and purposes, it contained from 2% to 12% alcohol. Since they didn’t have barley, they made their small beer with other sweeteners like honey, cane sugar, and molasses.
Jul 21, 2023 · The term “root beer” first emerged in the early 19th century, likely derived from its primary ingredient: the roots of the sassafras tree. Sassafras was widely used by Native Americans for medicinal purposes, and its distinctive flavor and aroma became a defining characteristic of the beverage.
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Aug 19, 2023 · Key takeaway: Root beer is a sweet and fizzy beverage that was first marketed as a health tonic and has remained popular in the United States since the 1800s. Despite its name, root beer contains no actual beer, but its ingredients include a blend of roots, herbs, and spices, including sassafras root, wintergreen, vanilla, and anise.
