What is Sassafras?
Sassafras is a medium to large tree that is native to North America, growing abundantly in the eastern half of the continent. Each sassafras tree usually has three types of different shaped leaves that appear as a three lobed finger-like leaf, a mitten shaped leaf and a single oval shaped leaf. When the leaves or bark are crushed, the sassafras gives off a pleasant aromatic sent reminiscent of root beer. In fact, root beer was first made using the roots of sassafras, although sassafras is no longer an ingredient. The sassafras tree has green or yellow flowers that bloom in April and May. In August and October, the tree bears fleshy blue fruits that are enjoyed by songbirds, bobwhites, wild turkeys and black bears. The twigs of the sassafras tree are also part of the diet of marsh rabbits and white tail deer. Human beings have also found many uses for sassafras. The lumber derived from the sassafras tree is sturdy, thick and coarse, and it is commonly used for making rustic barrels, buc
While sassafras is the name of an herb that was once commonly used in tea, and also to give root beer its distinctive taste, to us it is really a made-up name that’s fun to say. It connotes a little of the sass in our style, and it rolls off the tongue with such finesse that you can’t help but smile as the word leaves your lips. That may not be the most sophisticated branding strategy, but it works just fine for us.
