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
Castor oil in July 2007, Indian castor oil sold for about US$0.90 per kilogram (US$0.41 per pound) whereas U.S. soybean, sunflower and canola oils sold for about US$0.30 per kilogram (US$0.14 per pound). Annually 270,000–360,000 tonnes (600–800 million pounds) of castor oil are produced for a variety of uses. In the food industry, castor oil (food grade) is used in food additives, flavorings, candy ("e.g.", polyglycerol polyricinoleate or PGPR in chocolate), as a mold inhibitor, and in packaging. Polyoxyethylated castor oil ("e.g.", Kolliphor EL) is also used in the food industries. In India, Pakistan and Nepal food grains are preserved by the