DoGeeseSeeGodJul 27, 2025

What's the most "oof" or wtf fact you know about an everyday object?

https://lemmy.blahaj.zone/post/29453582

What's the most "oof" or wtf fact you know about an everyday object? - Blåhaj Lemmy

Mine is this little tidbit about Khaki’s from https://www.heddels.com/2019/05/history-khaki-anything-drab/ [https://www.heddels.com/2019/05/history-khaki-anything-drab/] “Tried and tested by all the major powers, khaki-dyed, lightweight cotton twills became the de facto uniform for any colonizing power. If you were going to ship your boys abroad to pillage and conquer someplace in the Southern Hemisphere, khaki was your go-to color.”

Show threadBeastly.gr
Artificial raspberry flavor is made from beaver anal glands.
Jul 27, 2025 at 6:04pmWeb
Show threadPhilipTheBucketJul 27, 2025
Which brings us to just one of those bizarre US things, "artificial flavor" versus "natural flavor" is totally arbitrary and random. It's based on which molecule, not what the source is, so you can have "natural flavors" that came from a massive stainless steel tank and will kill you if you touch them in pure form without the proper protective gear, or "artificial flavors" that come from squeezing beaver ass glands.
Show threadTar_AlcaranJul 27, 2025

Which brings us to just one of those bizarre US things, “artificial flavor” versus “natural flavor” is totally arbitrary and random. It’s based on which molecule, not what the source is,

But, that’s sensible. If it’s the chemical you find in raspberry, then its natural raspberry flavor. If it’s something we invented or discovered that’s like raspberry, its artificial. Who cares if it came from a bioreactor?

will kill you if you touch them in pure form without the proper protective gear,

While I wouldn’t recommend eating concentrated artificial flavours, touching them won’t kill you. Unless you jump into the reactor, but jumping into one would kill you no matter what the substance inside is.

Show threadtalJul 27, 2025

It’s based on which molecule, not what the source is

Other way around. You can have identical molecules be classified as “artificial” or “natural” depending upon whether they were synthesized or extracted.

reddit.com/…/what_are_artificial_flavors_made_out…

Show threadPhilipTheBucketJul 27, 2025
Oh, you're completely right. IDK how I thought it was different, but yes, what I said was completely wrong.
Show threadDoGeeseSeeGodJul 27, 2025
The gifts from this perfect creatures never cease to amaze me. Thank kind beaver, your greatness humbles me and all humans.
Show threadTheatomictruthJul 27, 2025
Their tooth enamel is partly iron which strengthens them and makes them a rusty orange color
Show threadreddig33Jul 27, 2025
Seems unnecessary. Raspberries are plentiful and likely cheaper than beaver parts.
Show threadjacksilverJul 27, 2025

Yeah, a little research online says it’s likely only used in perfumes due to expense, but technically it could be used in food.

Most foods though will just use raspberries in some form or another.

Show threadCanadaPlusJul 27, 2025
Yeah, it sounds like this might not actually be as common as suggested. Synthetic chemicals are usually going to be cheaper than hunting a beaver.
The Truth About Raspberry or Strawberry Flavor from Beaver Glands

Are raspberry and strawberry flavors really beaver anal gland flavoring? Where does raspberry and strawberry flavoring come from? Discover the truth!

Chef's Resource
Show threadSemester3383Jul 28, 2025
Makes me wonder why whale puke still gets used in cosmetics…
Show threadCanadaPlusJul 28, 2025
The synthetics are usually inferior to natural products if you’re going high-end. There’s probably thousands of individual compounds in ambergris. Similarly, I’m guessing if you go for really bougie raspberry flavouring it’s more likely to use castoreum.
Show threadSemester3383Jul 29, 2025

I guess that I would have thought that you could isolate those individual compounds, and then reproduce them, rather than hoping that you can find a lucky ball of whale puke.

I dunno, I’m pretty sure I’m not their target audience.

Show threadCanadaPlusJul 29, 2025

In theory you could, although I’d guess it’d be an incredible amount of work, and might cost more in the end. Most attempts at replicating natural flavours and scents have historically been unconvincing, although some of the recent stuff has been incredible.

I wonder if there’s any food scientists on Lemmy.

Show threadtoynbeeJul 28, 2025
Show threadEtterraJul 28, 2025
That’s a funny way to spell vanilla.
Castoreum - Wikipedia