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The roots of licorice, or liquorice, are the most important part of the licorice plant, Glycyrrhiza glabra, a perennial herb belonging to the Fabaceae family that grows wild in many areas of Southern Europe. The term licorice means "sweet root" and indeed the roots are the most used part, in sticks or pieces, for its numerous properties and aromatic and balsamic flavor, which makes licorice an ingredient for many recipes, from liqueurs to candies, to flavoring for meats.
There are different species of licorice, the most common being the glabra variety, which is frost-resistant and whose roots extend up to two meters. Licorice roots are harvested in autumn after two to three years of cultivation, and then dried to obtain licorice sticks. In some cases, the roots are peeled and can be found for sale in this format for the preparation of herbal teas and infusions.
Licorice sticks can be chewed to enjoy the flavor, and can thus be stored for long periods of time. Licorice roots can also be boiled for a long time, until obtaining the dark liquid, characteristically associated with licorice, which is used for making sweets, liqueurs, and candies famously known as black licorice.
Licorice is not only a tasty ingredient; its consumption has multiple beneficial effects on our health. Chewing licorice sticks, or enjoying it peeled infused in an herbal tea, can be a panacea for the body, and indeed since ancient times, in Egypt and China, licorice was used for medicinal purposes and renowned in ancient Greek medicine, although in Europe it was only brought in the Middle Ages by the Dominican friars. It was also called 'Scythian root' precisely because the Scythians made extensive use of it, chewing it. The beneficial effects of this rhizome made licorice a very expensive and sought-after pharmacy product. Licorice sticks contain very important substances and active principles, including Glycyrrhizin, which in pharmacology is used as an expectorant and gastroprotective, and is the substance that gives licorice its characteristic sweetness, allowing it to be used to sweeten infusions. Licorice is also extremely beneficial for bronchial health and to counteract coughs and fight inflammations of the respiratory system. Licorice root also has many gastrointestinal benefits, counteracts heartburn, gastritis, and helps prevent ulcers and colitis. Among the other properties of licorice root, it should be remembered that this plant helps regulate digestion, is beneficial for those suffering from low blood pressure, and is an antispasmodic.
Licorice is often associated with smoking: some companies add it as an additive to cigarettes, but in reality, chewing licorice root can have a beneficial effect in soothing throat irritations caused by smoking. Thanks to the properties of licorice that help detoxify the body, and the flavor reminiscent of tobacco, licorice sticks are also used to quit smoking. Sucking and chewing a licorice root can satisfy the desire to smoke a cigarette and replace smoking. It is important not to exceed the recommended daily consumption of licorice.
Licorice, if taken in controlled doses, has beneficial effects on health. Like many natural and officinal products, however, it is important not to overdo it, and pay attention to any allergies to the active ingredient. It is therefore necessary to monitor the daily consumption of licorice, especially of glycyrrhizin, the substance responsible for the beneficial processes, which in large quantities could have laxative, hypertensive, and edema effects. Eating too much licorice root per day can also cause high blood pressure and abnormalities in heart rate, facilitating the onset of cardiovascular disorders. It is indeed not recommended to consume licorice for those suffering from high blood pressure and kidney failure.
Licorice has beneficial properties for the body, being a natural anti-inflammatory, expectorant, and helping to combat gastritis and heartburn. The active ingredient in licorice, glycyrrhizin, can, however, cause side effects if consumed in excess, so the dose of half a gram per day should not be exceeded, which corresponds to about 5 grams of powdered root per day.
Licorice sticks, and licorice root in general, have an aromatic flavor, particularly sweet. By chewing a licorice stick, you will notice that the taste becomes more bitter. It is widely used in cooking to prepare herbal teas and sweets, and by the confectionery industry to produce candies.
Licorice sticks made from dried root can be chewed and sucked to extract the sweet flavor, consumed naturally just like you would with candies from a bag.
Licorice sticks are also used to prepare infusions and herbal teas, leaving the roots directly in infusion, preferably peeled licorice roots, to make extraction easier, or added to other ingredients, making the infusion very sweet. For example, you can prepare a licorice and ginger herbal tea by boiling licorice roots and a ginger root in a pot of water, adding a pinch of cinnamon.
In the kitchen, licorice root can be powdered and added to doughs and sweets, or used to flavor water for steaming, inserted in parchment paper to flavor fish, or used for smoking. It is also widely used to prepare licorice liqueur, a perfect bitter to serve as a digestive after lunch or dinner.
The licorice sticks for sale on Terza Luna are dried licorice roots, ready to be consumed. Licorice sticks can indeed be chewed and sucked as they are. They can also be peeled and cut into pieces, to be kept in the mouth like chewing gum. They are excellent to consume, also because licorice does not cause dental problems.
Where to buy licorice sticks? On Terza Luna's online store, you can find licorice roots in stick format at an affordable price. We are a specialized e-shop in the sale of fine teas and spices and have imported top-quality licorice sticks for you to purchase with ease and have them delivered directly to your home.
The price of a licorice stick is €1.30.
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Peeled Licorice Root Licorice Root for Infusions and Herbal Teas From organic farming Gly.....
