Licorice 101
Licorice is the unsung hero of the confectionery world. It’s been around for over 4000 years, and even some of our most historical figures consumed licorice for its medicinal benefits. Napoleon loved it so much, it is said his teeth turned black from the juices... So, what's so great about it?
The Licorice Plant’s Secret
It all starts with the licorice plant’s root — yes, licorice is a plant — its botanical name is Glycyrrhizin, if you don’t believe us! But this is no ordinary root. What makes the licorice root so special is the sweet-tasting compound, anethole, found within it. This aromatic, unsaturated compound is also found in anise, fennel, and several other herbs, with that lovely, sweet taste coming from glycyrrhizin, a compound known to be up to 50 times sweeter than sugar.
Licorice: More Than a Sweet Treat
There are more than 300 different compounds in licorice, some of which have antiviral and antimicrobial properties. In fact, licorice root powder’s biggest use is actually within medicine, with confectionery being only the third most common use. Ancient clay tablets describe licorice as the “elixir of life” for its cure-all characteristics.
Licorice is known to:
Boost the immune system | Act as a mild pain reliever | Aid endurance | Activate the pancreas | Strengthen the respiratory system | Aid digestion | Cure ulcers | Fight tooth decay
Our Delicious Difference
So, what sets our licorice apart? We are proudly certified organic, and we've been crafting this delicious treat since 2001. And let's just say, we've been given quite a few pats on the back for our licorice-making skills! Many modern methods of production often substitute synthetic substances for licorice, which don’t have the same great therapeutic benefits or distinctly iconic flavour. Our organic licorice, on the other hand, adheres to traditional methods of growing and making licorice that maintains the taste and the health benefits of this ancient herb.
Challenge Accepted
We also happily boast that we have a Guinness Book of Records under our belt, having made the longest continuous rope of licorice! You see, the original record was a measly 10 metres long which, to be honest, we found a bit underwhelming. So, we decided to up the ante and made a whopping 244 metre long rope!
A European licorice company attempted to outdo us with a 519 metre rope. At this point we had no choice but to playfully accept their challenge, and managed to create a magnificent 612 metre long rope. And guess what? We haven't heard from them since, so we proudly maintain our record!