Liquorice

Liquorice, also spelt licorice, is very much like the ancient confectionery that people used to use before the invention of fructose syrup. It is highly recommended due to its unique taste and is flavoured with the extract of the roots of the liquorice plant.

It comes in many shapes and sizes including Black Jacks, Catherine Wheels and Pontefract Cakes.

In the USA it is called black licorice to distinguish it from similar confectionery varieties that are not flavoured with the original extract. In Scandinavia there are many varieties manufactured, with an extremely salty version being very popular.

In some countries such as Spain, the UK, Holland, Germany, Canada, Australia and the USA, a product known as red licorice remains equally as popular. Although it certainly looks like liquorice it is made with such flavourings as raspberry, cherry, strawberry or cinnamon rather than the extract itself. Popular versions of this to be found in North America are Twizzlers and Red Vines. Other flavours such as apple, mango, blackcurrant, kiwi and watermelon are becoming prevalent.

The root of the plant contains a sweetener that is far sweeter than sucrose. It also has many health benefits and is known to clear the lungs by way of coughing after consumption. It also has the effect of increasing blood pressure. It is also said to be a mild laxative.