Learn how your favorite treat licorice is created.
Licorice is one of the most divisive candies there is. People either love it or hate it, and you won’t find many people who don’t have strong feelings about it either way. For a candy with such a strong, distinct flavor, it’s incredibly versatile. You can make it sweet, salty, sour, or bitter, and combine it with many different flavors. Let’s dive into some interesting facts about licorice, the surprising health benefits of eating it, and how it’s made.
Where Licorice Comes From
The word licorice derives from a Greek word meaning “sweet root.” Despite what you may have heard, licorice isn’t made from anise. It’s actually made from a sweet plant called Glycyrrhiza glabra, which produces a substance 50 times sweeter than sugar.
Health Benefits of Licorice
Licorice root extract may offer some pretty amazing health benefits. It’s used to:
- Relieve acid reflux
- Soothe peptic ulcers
- Ease respiratory conditions
- Prevent cavities
- Improve skin conditions
You shouldn’t have too much of a good thing, and the same goes for licorice. Enjoy it in moderation, like all sweet treats.
How Licorice is Made
The basic components needed to make licorice are licorice extract, for the signature flavor; sweetener, which is usually a combination of sugar (sucrose) and corn syrup; and a binding agent, like wheat flour, so the candy can mix together properly and hold its shape. Then other ingredients may be added to intensify the flavor, enhance sweetness, improve texture, or fine-tune the color. These ingredients may include anise extract, glucose syrups, molasses, starches, black licorice juice, fruits, maple sugar, citric/lactic/malic acid, and salt.
Everything is mixed into a fine paste and cooked in an industrial-sized pressure cooker. When it’s done cooking and still soft, it’s squeezed through a tiny tube into one big, long strand of licorice. Then it travels along a conveyor belt, and it’s cut into the standard licorice length as it cools.
The next time you enjoy a string of licorice, you can think about how it was created and how clever this candy confection is.
A Wide Selection of Delicious Treats from Wockenfuss Candies
Head to WockenfussCandies.com and browse our wide selection of chocolates and candies; we promise you won’t be disappointed! Wockenfuss Candies is one of the oldest candy makers in Baltimore. We opened our doors in 1915 and have proudly served the people of Baltimore ever since. If you have any questions about our wide selection of chocolates, please contact Wockenfuss Candies by calling 1-800-296-4414 or email info@Wockenfusscandies.com. When you’re not savoring our sweets, stay satisfied by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!