Re: OT-CHAT:Sassafras officinalis, was rootbeer.
- To: i*@egroups.com
- Subject: Re: [iris-talk] OT-CHAT:Sassafras officinalis, was rootbeer.
- From: J* K*
- Date: Wed, 03 Jan 2001 19:10:27 -0500
>From: Maj Öhrström <rcc592h@tninet.se>
>Reply-To: iris-talk@egroups.com
>To: iris-talk <iris-talk@egroups.com>
>Subject: [iris-talk] OT-CHAT:Sassafras officinalis, was rootbeer.
>Date: Thu, 04 Jan 2001 00:16:23 +0100
>
>
>Thank you Jeff and Carolyn, Dennis, John and Linda for kind answers. I
>surfed around a little and now I know a lot more about Sassafras
>officinalis.
>
>It does not grow in Sweden.
>
>I collected the following on
>http://www-ang.kfunigraz.ac.at/~katzer/engl/generic_frame.html?Sass_alb.html
>
>"In most countries outside the United States, sassafras is looked upon
>with suspicion because of its high content of safrol, an hepatotoxic and
>probably cancerogenic agent. In Europe, sassafras leaves are not
>available;"
>
>"Safrol, although toxic, has a pleasant flavour; it occurs as a trace
>component in many essential oils (e.g., star anis, nutmeg and even
>black pepper). It is the main aroma component of an exotic Mesoamerican
>spice, Méxican pepper-leaves."
>
>Very interesting. I really must stop using so much pepper in the food
>(my husband will be pleased).
>
>Maybe I will try some root beer next time I visit my cousins in the USA,
>a little sip couldn´t possibly hurt.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The carcinogenic risks of old-fashioned root beer are an alarmist's
reaction. Root Beer, safrole content and all, is less carcinogenic
than an equal volume of Budweiser. If Sassafras still sends shivers
down your spine, then avoid Cajun foods as well, for it is also used
in Gumbo!
---Jim Kulbacki, Lake Orion, MI (zone 6)
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