The Combined Properties of Licorice and Ginseng
You love licorice, you think you're simply treating yourself to a sweet treat, but instead you're "treating" yourself with a powerful tonic. Is that possible? Well, if we listen to traditional Chinese medicine and the knowledge of the ancient Greeks and Romans, it would seem so. In fact, licorice and ginseng have in common that they are both considered to be invigorating. Although they belong to completely separate plant families (Fabaceae in the case of licorice and Araliaceae in the case of ginseng), licorice and ginseng also have in common that they grow underground. Licorice is obtained from the rhizome (a thickened part of the stem that serves as a nutrient reservoir and is found underground) of a plant called Glycyrrhiza glabra, while ginseng is obtained from the roots of plants of the Panax genus. And here we come to the Greeks and Latins. The Latin term Panax derives from the Greek words pan (all) and akèia (cure, remedy), and so the term panacea (remedy for all ills) and the name of this genus of plants have the same etymological origin. The term ginseng, on the other hand, is Chinese and means "man's plant."
Modern science has confirmed the invigorating effect of ginseng in some studies, particularly in the area of sexual performance. It would appear that this effect is not due to hormonal changes but to a direct effect on the central nervous system. Therefore, it would seem likely, though not certain, that the properties long attributed to ginseng will find some confirmation in the light of science. The best quality ginseng, just like coffee, is grown in the mountains between 700 and 1,500 meters above sea level. This is where the similarities with licorice end. Ginseng loves the mountains and is native to Asia (there's also an American version, but the highest quality varieties are Chinese and Korean), while licorice, native to the Mediterranean and the Near East, hates the cold and prefers moist, loose soil because its roots need to expand.
The distinctive flavor of mini ginseng licorice discs
Let's get to the flavor. In this respect, pure licorice and ginseng are opposites, or, if you like, complementary. Licorice is sweet—it's used as a sweetener—but it has a slightly bitter and acidic aftertaste. Ginseng, on the other hand, is bitter and slightly spicy, but with a sweetish aftertaste. Pure ginseng therefore does not have a taste that will please everyone, but added as a flavoring to pure licorice discs it can more easily meet the taste of the majority of people, because obviously the flavor you perceive is that of licorice but with a little something extra.
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