HISTORY
The first documented evidence of the production of "root beer" was in the American colonies. Prior to that, sassafras was being shipped back to Europe after the New World was discovered. I have not found any evidence of root beer being made with it, only tea, and mead. (I have found one instance in Digby’s The Closet Opened where sassafras is an ingredient.)
Historians often credit Charles Hires with creating the root beer flavor we know today, but I believe that he simply made it popular. Here is a list of ingredients and countries from a 1922 pamphlet about Hires Root Beer.
Birch Bark - United States, New England Chirreta – India
Dog Grass – Germany Ginger – Africa
Ginger – China Ginger – Jamaica
Hires special plant Hops – United States, Northwest
Juniper Berries – Italy Licorice – Spain
Licorice – Russia Sarsaparilla – Honduras
Sugar – Cuba Vanilla – Mexico
Wintergreen – United States, North Carolina Yerba Mate, Brazil
In 1960 the FDA outlawed sassafras because it contains safrole, which was proven to cause cancer in lab rats. The primary element in the root beer flavor we know today is wintergreen
What you get in this kit:
REAL ROOT BEER RECIPE MADE FROM HERBS
TWO HERBAL PACKETS TO MAKE TWO BATCHES
LALVIN WINE YEAST (enough for up to 6 gallons)
NATURAL CANE SUGAR (1LB)
RAISINS
RECIPE
Below is a small list of basic items you will need to get started. Please read instructions before starting.
Equipment Mixing Spoon
6-8 Quart Sauce Pan
Kitchen Funnel
Measuring spoons
Measuring Cup
Bottles
Be sure and check out our blog at www.fotvn.info to share with others who are using the same cultures that you will soon receive!
