common ingredients found in root beer:various roots, herbs, and

what is root beer made of?
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Root beer is a carbonated beverage that typically has a sweet and distinctively "rooty" flavor. While recipes may vary slightly among manufacturers and homemade versions, here are the common ingredients found in root beer:

Water: The base of any carbonated beverage is water.

Sweeteners: Root beer is typically sweetened with a combination of sugar and/or high-fructose corn syrup. The exact sweetener and its quantity may vary depending on the brand or recipe.

Flavorings: The characteristic root beer flavor comes from a combination of various roots, herbs, and spices. The exact blend of ingredients is often a closely guarded secret. Common flavorings include sarsaparilla, wintergreen, anise, vanilla, and licorice. Other botanicals like birch bark, sassafras root, and molasses may also be used.

Carbonation: Root beer is a carbonated beverage, so it contains carbon dioxide gas. This gas is either naturally produced through fermentation or added artificially during the manufacturing process.

Preservatives and Stabilizers: To prolong shelf life and maintain consistency, root beer may contain preservatives like sodium benzoate or potassium sorbate. Stabilizers such as gum arabic or xanthan gum may also be added to enhance the texture and prevent separation of ingredients.

It's worth noting that the traditional ingredient, sassafras root, which used to be a primary component of root beer, contains safrole, a compound that has been banned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) due to its potential carcinogenic properties. As a result, most commercial root beers no longer contain sassafras root but use alternative flavorings to achieve a similar taste.