Castoreum

Castoreum /kæsˈtɔːriəm/ is a yellowish exudate from the castor sacs of mature beavers used in combination with urine to scent mark their territory.

[4] It is extracted with alcohol from the dried and crushed castor sacs[5] for use as a tincture in some perfumes[6] and, rarely, as a food additive.

[13] In perfumery, the term castoreum refers to the resinoid extract resulting from the dried and alcohol tinctured beaver castor.

Some classic perfumes incorporating castoreum are Emeraude, Chanel Antaeus, Cuir de Russie, Magie Noire, Lancôme Caractère, Hechter Madame, Givenchy III, Shalimar, and many "leather" themed compositions.

[18] Castoreum has been traditionally used in Sweden for flavoring a variety of schnapps commonly referred to as Bäverhojt (lit.

Castoreum
North American beavers at the Smithsonian National Zoo, in Washington, D.C.