Licorice

Common Name

Licorice, a sweet rhizome has been around since the time of the Ancient Egyptians when it was used primarily for medicinal purposes. Evidence suggests that the ancient Chinese used licorice as a traditional medicine, and the practice continues today in China and in expatriate Chinese cultures.

The Greeks and Romans made licorice extract - the precursor to today's licorice candy - and spread the practice throughout Europe. Like many somewhat sweet and flavorful concoctions, licorice was used as an aphrodisiac for hundreds of years.

Licorice, along with true cinnamon, are the only truly sweet spices, and it is no accident that both are used as bases for sweets and candy recipes and formulas. When dried, licorice root resembles wood on the outside but is yellow on the inside.

The licorice plant grows to reach heights of approximately five feet. The rhizomes are harvested after a few years and can be purchased dried, as a powder or in concentrated blocks, smelling strongly sweet and somewhat like anise.

Licorice is generally used in sweet dishes, mostly candies but is also added to the savory Chinese five spice mix. Licorice tasted very sweet and slightly medicinal.

Purported Medicinal Qualities*

Licorice has been used for hundreds of years to treat gastric and stomach ulcers and though sweet and delicious, was more of a medicinal spice than as a culinary one.

Historically, licorice has been used to:

• Cleanse thedigestive system
• Relieve cramps
• Reduce inflamation
• Reduce chronic fatigue
• Relieve cough symptoms

*Always check with your healthcare provider before consuming, inhaling or otherwise ingesting any non-prescription or prescription natural or homeopathic substance or pharmaceutical. ChefatHand.com is not recommending, suggesting, inferring or otherwise endorsing the use of any herb or spice as a medication.

Culinary/Suggested Use

Licorice root is used primarily in the preparation of confections, but can be used at home to make tisanes - small bundles of dried herbs and spices used to make tea and other beverages, or ground along with other spices to sweeten the mix.  Food for thought:

• Add licorice root to home made five spice
• Make homemade licorice tea by steeping licorice root alone or with other teas and/or herbs
• Make a simple syrup with licorice root and use it to sweeten beverages or make sorbet.
• Add licorice root to marinades for meat and poultry
• Be conservative with licorice root as it will dominate if used in excess

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