What Is the Role of Acacia in Your Root Beer?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the ingredient acacia in root beer, specifically its role and origin. Participants explore its potential psychoactive properties, its use in soft drinks, and personal experiences with different brands of root beer.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the presence of acacia in root beer and its potential psychoactive compounds, referencing various substances found in the acacia tree.
  • Another participant suggests that the seeds or "berries" of the acacia may be used, noting the variability of psychoactive compounds across species.
  • A participant mentions that acacia gum is the specific ingredient, explaining its role in providing a rich mouthfeel and stabilizing foam without significantly affecting viscosity.
  • Some participants express nostalgia for Barq's root beer and discuss changes in taste and formulation over time, attributing it to industry practices.
  • One participant humorously suggests acquiring an acacia tree, while another mentions historical uses of root beer for medicinal purposes.
  • A later reply reiterates the role of acacia gum and inquires about viscosity tables for different sodas.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on the specific part of the acacia tree used in root beer or the implications of its psychoactive properties. While some participants agree on the role of acacia gum, others raise questions about its origin and effects.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the specific species of acacia used and the presence of psychoactive compounds in the ingredients of Barq's root beer. The discussion also reflects personal opinions and experiences with different root beer brands.

jreelawg
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I wasn't sure where to post this, so feel free to move it if you want.

I was reading the ingredients in my root beer, and I noticed the ingredient, acacia.

"The Ingredients:
Carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup and/or sucrose, caramel color, sodium benzoate (to protect taste), citric acid, caffeine, artificial and natural flavors, acacia."

http://www.rootbeerreviews.com/brews/barqs.php

I wondered what it was, and found that it is a tree, but also that the tree contains various naturally occurring drugs.

I was wondering what part of the acacia tree is in the soft drink, and why it is in there? How can a tree be listed as an ingredient?

"Methamphetamine occurs naturally in Acacia berlandieri and possibly Acacia rigidula, trees which grow in west Texas. Acacia trees contain numerous other psychoactive compounds (ex. amphetamine, mescaline, nicotine, DMT, ...[34]), but scientific papers specifically mentioning the presence of methamphetamine did not exist until 1997 and 1998.[35]"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methamphetamine

Nicotine, mescalin, meth, and DMT, all in one tree, amazing.

Anyways, is my root beer laced, or is acacia used for some other reason?
 
Last edited:
Biology news on Phys.org
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acacia#Uses

The seeds or "berries" are probably what is used. The relative content of the psychoactive compounds is different from one species to the next and they are generally found only in certain parts of the plant. Whether or not there are any of these compounds in the plants used to make Barq's I have no idea. I looked a bit and have not found anything stating what part of what plant is used.
 
Wow. Well I guess that explains my root beer addiction a few years ago.
 
"Barqs got bite" they said.

I found that out the hard way after drinking one late in the evening. At 3 AM I decided that it must have been loaded with caffeine. Root beer is not supposed to be caffeinated.

Still hate them for that. Get "Mug" or A&W.
 
The acacia ingredient you are referring to is acacia gum. It gives a 'round' or 'rich' mouthfeel to the drink and stabilizes the foam. It is unique in the family of gums in that it does not appreciably affect viscosity even in higher concentrations.

Acacia = Polysaccharide
 
i used to drink Barq's when visiting relatives in MS back when i was a kid. it was pretty good back then. then it got wide distribution via coca-cola and something bad happened to it. I'm sure part of it was the industry-wide switch to HFCS instead of cane sugar (new coke, etc.). now barq's is just another soft drink. last time i had an IBC though, they were still pretty good.

now what they oughta do is reintroduce sassafras root, liver cancer be damned.
 
No way Chi, Barqs is the best.
 
Barq's is definitely my favourite root beer.
 
I need to buy myself one of these trees.
 
  • #10
I think root beer was originally a treatment for syphilis. At least Sasparilla was.
 
  • #11
chemisttree said:
The acacia ingredient you are referring to is acacia gum. It gives a 'round' or 'rich' mouthfeel to the drink and stabilizes the foam. It is unique in the family of gums in that it does not appreciably affect viscosity even in higher concentrations.

Acacia = Polysaccharide

Speaking of viscosity... Anybody know where I might find a table of viscosities for different sodas?
 

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