FANS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MEMORIES:
Kapatsos remembers...I always had to have licorice when I went to the movies..was a must eat. I still love the stuff More »
Posted on 04/04/08
PHOTOS:
Licorice has a long and colorful history - one that extends far beyond the movie theater concession stand, past the Twizzlers, the Red Vines, the Good N' Plenty, and anything else one’s mind conjures up when hearing that delectable word. Most everyone loves licorice; they just get a little picky about what kind.
The use of the licorice root goes back to the earliest days of recorded history as a favorite of the Egyptian pharaohs and history's greats such as Caesar and Alexander the Great recognized its medicinal abilities. Warriors throughout the centuries even used the root to quench thirst during lengthy campaigns. It even helps with upset stomachs and peptic ulcers and can be found in a number of herbal remedies. Oh, and it makes a darn good flavoring for candy.
While there seems to be no definitive answer on when confectioners first began experimenting with licorice as a candy, there is certainly no shortage of varieties to be found around the world. The Aussies have been long-time fans of licorice, though they like it very soft and pliable, with just a bit of a twist. Brands from the land down under, like Kookaburra and Black Opal, have made their way into homes across the world, pleasing many a palate along the way. The English also prefer their licorice candies soft, though they prefer a smoother, creamier taste, often incorporating a cream filling through their soft licorice candies. Another popular variation on licorice is popular throughout the U.K. - the Allsort. Originating at the very end of the 19th century, this creamy and decorative delight has been a staple in candy dishes ever since. In Germany and Denmark, visitors are likely to find a striking difference in the style of licorice that's popular there. Along with the standard soft varieties, like the licorice wheel, these folks also like hard licorice candies, and even salty licorice. Much like the candy cigarette fad in the United States, the Finnish have an affinity for "Black Pipes." Shaped to resemble a smoking pipe, kids in Finland once bought the treats to emulate their male elders tobacco habits. Just across the water, in Sweden, menthol varieties of licorice abound for the strong taste buds that must reside in that hearty country. In Italy, they also like a little menthol in their licorice, though specialty candies are also popular, including stone-shaped candies, which have a soft, chewy licorice center coated with a hard candy shell that's painted to look like a cross between a large pebble or a small stone.
As has happened throughout American history, much of what is available has been borrowed from cultures abroad. We love our Allsorts, we love the wheels, and yet, we have also managed to create a few varieties of our own. The oldest American gum, Adam’s Black Jack, was flavored with licorice root. Good N Plenty, created in 1893, has gone on to become a snack-time, movie-watching, road-tripping favorite for many. It also happens to be the oldest branded candy in the United States.
It is also important to remember that not all licorice candy is licorice-flavored. A number of flavors have been introduced over the years and the term “licorice” has become an all-encompassing term that seems to refer more to the texture than the flavor. In the United States (as well as with Aussie licorice), there are two distinct types – red and black – and licorice fans aren’t shy about stating their preference. Red Vines, a soft version of licorice that has always been a favorite of the movie-watching crowd, has always been available in both colors. Then you have Twizzlers, the hollow waxy licorice tubes, available since the 1920’s, which over the years have distributed cherry, strawberry, grape, black and even chocolate versions of their candy. Licorice is also sold in a variety of shapes in the US from shoestring licorice to yard-long ropes of the stuff.
When you think about it, licorice is pretty amazing. Versions of it exist in just about every country, every culture, and licorice use dates back as far as pre-biblical times. It’s just always sort of been there and, if history is any indication, always will be – much to the relief of its adoring fans.
