Does the internet have you worried you’reeating beaver butt?
Before you getyour vegan tail in a tizzy, take a deep breath.
What do you smell?
The leaves and bark beavers dine on provide castoreum with its signature scent.
Historically, humans have used this animal product as a medicine.
Understandablyvegans, who aim to avoid using or consuming anyanimal-derived products, want to ensure their foodis beaver-free.
Luckily, it is exceedingly rare for any modern American to accidentally bite into beaver butt.
Castoreum extraction in the 21st century is both expensive and inconvenient good news for both beavers and vegans.
From 1670 to 1870, beaver was an economy unto itself in both Europe and North America.
Fashion trends involved all kinds of beaver pelt items, includingladies' coatsandgentlemen’s hats.
The process involves anesthetizing the beaver and having a person massage the molasses-like goo from the sacs.
Currently, only around 300 pounds a year are consumed.
They’re not exactly true (viaMental Floss).
To avoid that, all vegans have to do is saynej.
