Sarsaparilla Vs Root Beer: Considering the similarities between Sarsaparilla and Root Bear most people get confused. However, their concern is valid, and to help you bury the hatchet we are dealing with the question Difference Between Sarsaparilla and Root Beer. We shall cover everything right from the origin of the Sarsaparilla Drink to Root Beers and what exactly are they, as nutritional facts of having them all along the way. Let’s get started!
- What Is Sarsaparilla?
- What Is Root Beer?
- How To Make Root Beer?
- Sarsaparilla Vs Root Beer: Difference Between Root Beer And Sarsaparilla
- Benefits Of Consuming Sarsaparilla
- Uses Of Sarsaparilla
- Describe root beer in simple words?
- What does sarsaparilla taste like?
- Why did they stop making sarsaparilla?
- Is root beer and sarsaparilla the same thing?
What Is Sarsaparilla?
Sarsaparilla is brewed from the sarsaparilla plant a tropical vine that is native to Mexico, Jamaica, and some parts of Central and South America. It was made using a rich blend of sassafras and birch oil. This soft drink has a flavor similar to the taste of root beer. This was consumed earlier heavily due to its medicinal properties.
Due to a bit bitter flavor root beer came into existence. Sarsaparilla is considered a healthy drink for various reasons as it can be used to treat skin conditions, and chronic gout inflammation. You can choose among sweet beer options too based on your choice.
What Is Root Beer?
Root Beer is a sweet carbonated beverage that has its origins in North America. The traditional recipe includes the parts of the root bark of the sassafras tree or from the sarsaparilla vine. Usually, sassafras trees from the laurel family contain volatile oils that are high in safrole concentration that is poisonous in the long run.
Therefore FDA Banned the plant thus making manufacturers look for alternative ingredients. You will find organic brands which are sweetened with cane sugar. In most cases, and root beer recipes are sweet, caffeine-free, and non alcoholic.
Earlier root beer was sold as syrup but later on, in the most modern root beers, it came as a carbonated beverage substituting beer. It comes with ingredients including sarsaparilla roots, vanilla, root beer, caramel, licorice root, cinnamon, and honey. Root Beers are flavored with sassafras oils and birch without using the original plant. In modern times soybean protein is added to the commercial drink to give dark brown color.
How To Make Root Beer?
Preparing Root Beer is quite simple and easy at home. All you need to do is purchase the root beer extract from stores as they are completely safe and don’t contain safrole. Boiling Molasses Syrup and Water is all you have to do to make the root beer. If you want to make your own root beer from scratch avoid using plants that you can’t identify. Avoid plants with safrole or the ones with herbicides.
Not just this you can find many more differences articles like nigiri vs sashimi on our portal so without any delay let’s get started.
Sarsaparilla Vs Root Beer: Difference Between Root Beer And Sarsaparilla
The key difference between Root Beer and Sarsaparilla is in the ingredients they use. Although they are derived from the same root there is a difference between two. Sarsaparilla is made from the Sarsaparilla Plants whereas Root Beer is prepared from the sassafras root. Sarsaparilla was used as a medicinal drink by Native Americans. However, Root Beer is a commercial drink.
Initially, these two drinks were different and now root beer is made from Sarsaparilla including few other ingredients to overcome the bitter taste of it. To cut this bitter taste most of them are using artificial flavoring and sweeter ingredients. Thus, Americans got a sweet drink that they have been lasting long for.
Although Original Sarsaparilla claims to use natural ingredients these days they are using artificial flavors along with the regular ginger root, molasses, vanilla beans, preservative sodium benzoate, maple syrup, and sarsaparilla root.
These two alcoholic beverages have different tastes and vary in terms of carbonation level, alcohol percentages, etc. Sarsaparilla tastes bitter and bold whereas root beer has a sweet and lighter aftertaste but varies mostly based on the ingredients.
| Main Differences | Sarsaparilla | Root Beer |
| Origin | America | North America |
| Production | Sarsaparilla is prepared using boiling water mixed with roots, and spices. It may be brewed along with vanilla, licorice, and molasses for days. | Root beer is made by cooking molasses into a syrup for three hours and then adding the species, and flavoring along with the sassafras bark. |
| Color | Dark, red-brown | Dark red, orange |
| Alcohol Content | None | Non-alcoholic most of the time, but some can have between 5.9 and 19% alcohol. |
| Taste and Smell | Sarsaparilla tastes like licorice, vanilla, and wintergreen. This beverage smells aromatic and minty. | Root beer tastes very sweet, with hints of caramel, and vanilla. The aroma is minty and sweet like honey. |
| Form | Non Alcoholic | Alcoholic or Non Alcoholic |
| Flavor | Unique, bitter, bolder aftertaste | Sweet, foamy, lighter aftertaste |
| Calories per 100ml | 51 calories | 47 calories |
Benefits Of Consuming Sarsaparilla
There are plenty of health benefits associated with having Sarsaparilla. They are explained in the further sections
- One can get A, C, D, and B-complex vitamins and minerals including iodine, iron, manganese, zinc, copper, and silicon.
- Active chemical properties featured in the plant help you overcome inflammation and fight cancer.
- Strong anti oxidants present will protect the cells from getting damaged as well as inhibits LDL cholesterol oxidation.
- Saponins present will boost the immune system and prevents cancer cells from dividing with its anti-mutagenic properties.
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Uses Of Sarsaparilla
Below you can have a quick glimpse of Sarsaparilla uses and the different ways in which you get benefitted from it. They are as beneath
- Wild sarsaparilla is used to relieve the symptoms of stomach aches and other respiratory diseases.
- This medicinal drink was used as a tonic to cough syrup.
- You can cook as well as eat the wild sarsaparilla plant leaves and the fruit can be consumed as wine.
- The root of the plant can be used to boil in hot water to make root tea or even prepare sarsaparilla tonic.
FAQs on Sarsaparilla Vs Root Beer
1. Describe root beer in simple words?
Root Beer is an adulterated sarsaparilla and tastes a bit different from it and is a sweet carbonated beverage.
2. What does sarsaparilla taste like?
Sarsaparilla tastes like licorice, vanilla, caramel, and wintergreen.
3. Why did they stop making sarsaparilla?
FDA banned sarsaparilla due to its carcinogenic effects. Safrole present in the soft drink will cause cancer.
4. Is root beer and sarsaparilla the same thing?
Sarsaparilla was prepared from the Sarsaparilla vine, while Root Beer was prepared from root of the sassafras tree.
Final Words
We wish the knowledge shared on our page regarding the two beverages Sarsaparilla and root Beer has been enlightened with enough information. Both Sarsaparilla and Root Beer are great in taste and most liked drinks. It’s your individual choice on which one to choose based on your taste preferences.
If you need any help with the drinks feel free to write us through the comment section and our team will get back to you. Bookmark our site for more information on various articles like pancetta vs bacon and many more similar to this.