[ez]

Trying to figure out how harvesting Beaver Butt is easier than just using vanilla beans.

[John Valentine]

Most vanillin and castoreum used in the manufacture of foods is synthesized, not harvested. I doubt very much that there are enough beavers available to get all the castoreum needed in the modern world.

[trisham]

It’s probably cheaper. Real vanilla from vanilla beans is expensive.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

Then there is always cumarin, a vanilla substitute that wrecks havoc on blood clotting time.