Castoreum is very low, around 300 pounds, whereas vanillin is over 2.6 million pounds annually. Castoreum has been traditionally used in Sweden for flavoring schnapps commonly referred to as "Bäverhojt" (literally, "beaver shout"). Castoreum is also used to contribute to the flavor and odor of cigarettes. Medieval beekeepers used castoreum to increase honey production. Castoreum Castoreum is a yellowish exudate from the castor sacs of the mature North American beaver ("Castor canadensis") and the European beaver ("Castor fiber"). Beavers use castoreum in combination with urine to scent mark their territory. Both beaver sexes have a pair of castor sacs and a
Resinoid (perfumery) Resinoid (perfumery) Resinoids are extracts of resinous plant exudates (balsams, oleo gum resins, and natural oleoresins). Resinous plant exudates (balsams, oleo gum resins, and natural oleoresins) and animal secretions (ambergris, castoreum, musk, and civet) are extracted with solvents such as methanol, ethanol, toluene, or acetone. Yields range from 50 to 95 %. The products mainly consist of nonvolatile, resinous compounds. They are usually highly viscous and are sometimes diluted (e.g., with phthalates or benzyl benzoate) to improve their flow and processing properties. Resinoids are mainly used as perfume fixatives. The resinoids described above should be distinguished from prepared oleoresins (e.g.,