what flavor is root beer

Root beer has a unique flavor that is typically described as sweet and herbal with notes of vanilla, molasses, and mint. However, the exact taste can vary between brands or batches. Most root beers are non-alcoholic and caffeine-free, and they usually have a thick and foamy head like cola. Root beer was originally made with sassafras root and bark, which formed a natural, long-lasting foam, but modern root beer is typically flavored with safrole-free sassafras extract, along with other flavorings like vanilla, caramel, wintergreen, black cherry bark, licorice root, sarsaparilla root, nutmeg, acacia, anise, molasses, cinnamon, sweet birch, and honey. Some manufacturers use small amounts of starch with natural surfactants to reproduce the familiar foaming character of sassafras-based root beer. Each brand of root beer has its own unique flavor profile, and some are spicier or more bitter than others. Overall, root beer has a complex flavor that can be difficult to describe, but it is generally considered a sweet and refreshing soda with a distinct taste.