Licorice

How to Identify licorice

The licorice plant is a small perennial with purple to blue flowers, petite pods and a vertical root that may reach 3 feet (1m) while the plant itself may grow to 5 feet, about 1.5m. Licorice as condiment comes from the crushed root of the plant.

Licorice may be found as fresh or dried root pieces, ground powder from dried roots or, more common, black sticks made by boiling root juice. It can also be found as licorice extract, a concentrated flavor made by combining licorice oil and alcohol.

How to use and store licorice

Root pieces should be crushed or grinded before use and the ground licorice kept in an aritight container. Use it quickly to prevent loss of flavor. Keep the black sticks free of moisture.

Licorice is used to make sweets, flavor syrups or chewing gum. It is also the classic flavor for some alcoholic drinks such as pernod, raki and sambucca.

How to grow licorice

Licorice is bet propagated from root cuttings; plant them in early spring in a place with rich soil and plenty of light. In the temperate regions the young licorice plants need moisture and long hot summers. The roots should be harvested around the third or fourth year, either spring or autumn.

Cooking with licorice

Most recipes will get their licorice flavor from an alcoholic drink that contains licorice.

If you are not fond of alcohol, aAlthough the root pieces may be chewed, the simplest way to try licorice is in a hot drink made by infusing the dried root in hot water.

Licorice Tea

1 3-in (8cm) piece licorice root
1 cup boiling water

Place the root in a cup and pour boiling water over. Steep for 5 minutes, drain, and drink hot or warm.

Licorice substitution - If a recipe has licorice as an ingredient and you don't have it, anise is the best substitute.

Substitute 1 Tbs of pernod, raki or sambucca, licorice flavored liquors, with 1 Tbs of arak, ouzo or pastis, anise flavored liquors.

Substitute 1 tsp licorice extract with:

• 1/4 tsp -1 drop- anise oil
• 1-2 tsp anise liquer and reduce liquid in the recipe
• 1 tsp ground licorice or ground anise.
• 1 tsp vanilla or almond extract, change of flavor.

More Cooking Suggestions to use licorice

Try to flavor a dried fruit salad with a dressing including ground licorice. Make a licorice sorbet by infusing licorice root into light homemade syrup, cooling and processing the mixture in the ice cream maker.

Try a recipe for biscotti substituting anisette with pernod for a subtle licorice flavor.