Did you know that pure liquorice logs are an entirely Italian and to a certain extent Spanish and French peculiarity? In all the other countries of northern and central Europe, Scandinavian countries and the United Kingdom first and foremost, liquorice is consumed almost exclusively in sugared almonds and other forms in which it is associated with other aromas, the most common of which are mint and anise.
But what is licorice and what properties does it have?
It is the extract obtained from the rhizome (enlarged underground stem) of the Glycyrrhiza glabra, a plant of the Fabaceae (or Leguminosae) family so yes licorice is related to beans. It is one of the first aromatic plants discovered by man, it is found in the Mediterranean basin and in the Near East, but it was known to Chinese medicine since the first herbarium, therefore in Asia the plant is known for its medicinal properties approximately for 5000 years. In Italy the production boasts a long tradition in two specific areas, one is located in Abruzzo and the other in Calabria, both are considered quality productions, in particular the second so much so that in Rossano, a hamlet of the municipality of Corigliano-Rossano, in province of Cosenza the liquorice museum was born.
Licorice has a strong sweetening power, superior to that of sucrose, but given the quantities normally consumed it does not constitute a dietary problem. Licorice could pose a medical problem if a person with a tendency to hypertension uses it excessively for at least two consecutive weeks. In fact, glycyrrhizin, the main active ingredient present in licorice responsible for the main medical properties attributed to it, has the characteristic of raising blood pressure, so much so that in many packages of pure licorice you can find the relevant warning. Glycyrrhizin is recognized as having an anti-inflammatory and antiviral effect and among the beneficial properties traditionally associated with licorice there are: invigorating effects on mood and body, lowering cardiovascular risk and promoting digestion. Licorice is widely used as a flavor corrector even in the pharmaceutical industry, but there is no shortage of uses in the kitchen too and not only in the confectionery field, it is used by chefs in savory dishes like other aromatic plants.
The unique taste of vanilla licorice
We said that licorice is a powerful sweetener but this does not mean that the flavor is very sweet, in reality pure licorice is first sweet on the palate and then reveals a sour and slightly bitter. In the case of these logs, the addition of vanilla flavoring further sweetens the taste without the need to add sugar.
No reward points for this product.
