Dandelion and burdock facts for kids
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| Type | Carbonated soft drink |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Various |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Colour | Caramel |
| Related products | Root beer, sarsaparilla |
Dandelion and burdock is a popular drink from the British Isles. People have enjoyed it since the Middle Ages. It started as a light type of mead, which is a drink made from fermented honey. Over time, it changed into the fizzy soft drink we know today. It gets its name because it was traditionally made from the roots of fermented dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) and burdock (Arctium lappa) plants.
Contents
History of Dandelion and Burdock
Dandelion and burdock is similar to other drinks that started from fermented plant roots. These include root beer and sarsaparilla. People believed these drinks were good for your health.
Other root drinks often taste like sassafras or wintergreen. Today, these flavors are usually made artificially. This is partly because a substance in sassafras, called safrole, was found to be harmful in large amounts to rats in the 1960s. Even though these drinks taste a bit alike, each one has its own special flavor. Dandelion and burdock tastes most like sarsaparilla. This drink has recently become more popular again after a time when fewer people were buying it.
Different Brands and Recipes
Ben Shaw's Dandelion and Burdock
Ben Shaw was a businessman from Huddersfield. He started a company that made and sold dandelion and burdock. First, it was sold in Yorkshire, then all over Britain. His company made the drink from 1871 to 1993. After that, the company changed owners several times. Now, a company called Refresco owns it and still makes the drink.
Fentimans' Version
Fentimans is a drink company in the United Kingdom. They make a version of dandelion and burdock that is naturally brewed. It contains extracts from both dandelion and burdock plants. However, its main ingredients are sugar and pear juice concentrate.
A.G. Barr's D'n'B
A.G. Barr is a company famous for the Scottish soft drink Irn-Bru. They also make a version of dandelion and burdock. They call it D'n'B and use the slogan "Tall, dark and drinksome."
Fitzpatrick's Original Recipe
Fitzpatrick's in Rawtenstall is the last original temperance bar in the UK. Temperance bars sold non-alcoholic drinks. It opened in 1890 and still makes its dandelion and burdock. They use an original recipe that came from Ireland in the late 1800s.
See also
In Spanish: Dandelion and burdock para niños
