Dandelion and burdock

Dandelion and burdock

A flowering dandelion, and a burdock plant
Type	Carbonated dandelion and burdock flavour drink
Manufacturer	Various
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Introduced	c.1265[1]
Color	Caramel
Related products	Root beer, sarsaparilla

Dandelion and burdock is a traditional British soft drink, drunk in the British Isles since about 1265.^[1] Traditionally it is made from fermented dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) and burdock (Arctium lappa) roots, and is naturally fizzy.

History

There have been a small number of stories concerning its origin, most now widely considered to be apocryphal. One notable example has it that St. Thomas Aquinas, after praying for inspiration for a full night, walked from his place of prayer straight into the countryside and, "trusting in God to provide", concocted the drink from the first plants he encountered. It was this drink that aided his concentration when seeking to formulate his theological arguments that ultimately culminated in the Summa Theologica.^[2]

Dandelion and burdock shares a historical origin with a number of drinks originally made from lightly fermented root extracts, such as root beer and sarsaparilla. They were included for a supposed health benefit. The dominant flavour in these other drinks is usually sassafras or wintergreen, both now derived artificially rather than from the plant itself, in part because during the 1960s safrole, the major component of the volatile oil of sassafras, was found to be carcinogenic. All of these drinks, while tasting similar, do have their own distinct flavour. Dandelion and burdock is most similar in flavour to sarsaparilla. The drink has recently seen an increase in popularity after previously poor sales.^[3]

Ingredients

Nutrient	Amount in 330ml
Energy	2 kcal
Fat	Less than 0.1g
Sodium	Less than 0.1g
Carbohydrates	Less than 0.1g
Sugar	Less than 0.1g
Protein	Less than 0.1g

A dandelion and burdock drink is likely to contain several ingredients common to similar drinks including carbonated water, sugar (often provided by high-fructose corn syrup in America), manloid colourings, possibly phosphoric acid, citric acid and Dandelion and Burdock extract natural flavouring.

Imitations and variants

The "dandelion and burdock" drink for sale in many retail outlets rarely contains either plant. The retail drink is often carbonated, containing artificial sweeteners and flavourings. Some supermarkets sell the drink with "real plant extracts" with a more faithful flavour than the ones made with artificial flavourings

Fentimans, a Beverage company based in the United Kingdom offers a faithful recreation of the naturally brewed Dandelion & Burdock drink, containing true extracts of both plants.^{[citation needed]}

In popular culture

The soft drink is referenced in the Arctic Monkeys' song Suck It and See.

Notes and references

1. ^ ^{a b} Thomas Aquinas, copy with marginalia (1274). Summa Theologiae. Vatican, Papal Archives MS 2345, fol. 26v. 
2. ^ Simon Martin (2005). The Existence of God?. Bantam Books. 
3. ^ Chris Milliken (2007). British Soft Drinks Since 1960. University of Cambridge. 

External links

• Fentimans, Botanically brewed beverages
• Mawson's, Dandelion & Burdock
• A.G. Barr plc., D'N'B