Did you know that taste of licorice is so distinctive that its taste is detectable when diluted to one part licorice and twenty thousand parts water?
This yummy candy has been around since the ancient times. The Ancient Egyptians put licorice in the tombs of loved ones. The Ancient Chinese believed that eating licorice root gave them strength and endurance. Everyone from Caesar, to Alexander the Great, to the Scythian Armies used licorice for its healing properties and its ability to quench soldiers’ thirst. Licorice has also been used for medicinal purposes. The licorice root has been used as a cough suppressant, treatment to infection, ulcers, eczema, and throat irritation for over 3000 years!
Licorice was first grown in Europe at an English monastery in Pontefract. From there, word spread to America and then to the rest of the world, and it has been a favorite ever since! The reason the licorice root is so appealing is because of the aromatic compound Anethole. Anethole can be found in other foods such as fennel, anise, and other herbs. The sweet taste is from the compound Glycyrrhizin, which is fifty times sweeter than sugar. This combination of compounds makes the licorice flavoring that can be found in a multitude of products. It is found in varieties of candy, soft drinks, herbal teas, and even in some medicines to mask an unpleasant taste.
Today, licorice candies can be made in two ways. The first is to pour hot liquid licorice into a cornstarch mold and let cool. The second is to bring the hot liquid licorice, along with other colors and flavors, to a point where it is boiled so much the mixture turns into a dough like consistency. From there, it is stretched and extruded by formers that will give it a unique shape, such as a rope.
There is quite a bit of controversy over the taste of black licorice. It is one of those things that people either love or hate. The haters say that it has chemical smell similar to that of artificial sweeteners, but the lovers just go crazy for that distinct taste.
Fun Fact: National Licorice Day is April 12!
I loved your inclusion of licorice history and science. I learned a lot of new information about its ancient usage and how it is created. I think it would be really interesting to hear direct commentary from black licorice lovers versus red licorice lovers. As a red licorice lover, I am not able to see from the other perspective. This is what amazes me about people and their interests, including types of candy: the fact that I could love something and another person hate it. Two of my best friends absolutely hate chocolate and I think it is the best thing in the world. Candy is another way to see how we are such unique individuals.
I learned a lot from this post. It was so interesting to learn how licorice was used before it became a such a popular candy. I had no idea that it had so many medicinal properties to it! I personally cannot stand the taste of black licorice, but I am a huge fan of red licorice. It’s so odd to me that the two have such distinct flavors. When I read the part where you mentioned anise it reminded me of pizzelles, a cookie my Nonna used to make, because they are often made with anise, and you could tell just by smelling them if they had it in them. It really makes you see how strong the licorice smell/taste is!
It’s amazing to learn about the ancient civilizations that valued licorice for its medicinal properties and even used it as a way to honor their loved ones. The process of making licorice candies is also quite intriguing, especially the different methods used to create various shapes and flavors. On a related note, if you’re interested in discovering more interesting facts and engaging in conversations with people from around the world, you should check out Omegle