Black Licorice
black licorice is a confection which is colored and flavored by licorice root extract. Black licorice candies are available in various forms and sizes.
Background
Licorice is a self-growing plant, mostly found in Europe, Africa and Asia including Iran. As a folk and herbal remedy, it has a long history in Western and Eastern traditional medicine. It is useful in treatment of peptic ulcers, heartburn, indigestion, cough, sore throat, oral and dental problems, skin diseases, and many others.
Licorice is also used as a flavoring in cooking. Licorice has special taste and aroma. It is about 30-50 times sweeter than sugar. Licorice contains a sweetening compound called glycyrrhizin.
Licorice products are presented in a vast variety such as licorice root, licorice root powder, licorice extract powder, solid licorice extract blocks licorice extract paste, licorice extract granules, licorice extract nuggets, licorice DGL.
Sepidan Osareh Jonoob Co. is one of the best producers and exporters of licorice products in the world. It is located in near Shiraz, Fars Province, Iran. This company has achieved great successes due to presenting of premium and natural products, using the most advanced machinery and instruments in production lines and laboratory, recruiting expert staff, observing global standards in production and management and many more.
What Is Black Licorice?
Black licorice in market is available in two forms: solid licorice extract block and the processed one in rolls and twists. It is flavored and colored with licorice root extract. Glycyrrhiza glabra is botanically known as licorice. The taste of black licorice candy is sweet and slightly bitter.
In fact, black licorice is a kind of processed licorice extract block. As it is clear its color is black and the flavor is very sweet that tastes bitter.
Black licorice is mainly consumed in candies, jellybeans and pastilles. They have various sizes and forms like twists, balls, straws, rolls etc.
Black licorice candy is usually produced in this way: licorice extract paste is mixed with sugar, flour or starch, binder, gelatin, Arabic gum. It is cooked and then poured into various molds. Afterwards it gets cold. Some substances are added to black licorice candies to make them shiny and prevents sticking.
Although there is a special taste of ice cream, called black licorice ice cream, it is not a common flavor of ice cream. It is relatively sweet and creamy. For making black licorice ice cream, licorice extract paste is usually consumed; but if you want to make it at home, you can cut licorice root stick into small pieces. Add some water and let it boil and get concentrated. Then use it in your recipe. Or you can directly use licorice extract paste in your recipe.
The benefits and dose of black licorice
Black licorice affects our body in positive ways. It contains glycyrrhizin, liquiritin, licoricidin, flavonoids, Isoflavonoids and many others. It is anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory. Black licorice soothes sore throat and coughs. It is useful in treatment of asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory diseases. Moreover, it fights against tooth cavity-forming bacteria. It has some benefits for digestive system. It controls H. pylori bacteria and avoids inflammation; it prevents hyperacidity in stomach. It helps in indigestion.
Black licorice is a favorite flavor for some people. However, eating large amount of black licorice decreases potassium level in our body. That is because of the existence of glycyrrhizin in licorice. Overusing black licorice raises blood pressure and leads to abnormal heart rhythm. It causes weakness in muscles and fatigue as well. Furthermore, it may have interactions with some drugs and medications.
FDA warns that for people around 40 or older, eating 2 ounces (≈56 grams) of black licorice a day for 2 weeks could results in disorders in body.
Written by: Sepidan Osareh Jonoob Co.
Edited by: Shokripour, Meysam
References
- https://www.webmd.com/diet/black-licorice-health-benefits#1
- Shokripour, Ahmad (interview: November 23, 2021). Sepidan Osareh Jonoob Company, Iran.
Provided by: Sepidan Osareh Jonoob Co.
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