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When you look into the history of different sweets, you come across some very interesting backstories. It’s fair to say that this is the case with liquorice. Sometimes spelt ‘licorice,’ the sweet treat isn’t necessarily to everybody’s taste, but it is still hugely popular and has been around for much longer than you may expect. It also has several health benefits associated with it. Join us as we dive into the history of liquorice and explore the sweet often seen as a ‘healthy sweet’.
The liquorice plant grows natively in Western Asia, Northern Africa and Southern Europe and has a long history of medicinal use. Whilst it is today known as a sweet treat with a distinctive flavour profile, it used to have very different uses. Head back through the history books and you will find that liquorice was used medicinally as far back as the Ancient Greeks.
The long list of medicinal uses is weaved throughout history – even when it became a sweet as we know it. When it was first introduced in Britain, the liquorice plant grew particularly well in the soils of West Yorkshire. It was in Pontefract, in a chemists’ shop in 1760, that George Dunhill combined liquorice with sugar and created the first non-medicinal sweet! This paved the way for the treat that, whether we love it or not, we’re familiar with today. In the years that followed, Yorkshire became a hotbed of companies specialising in delicious liquorice sweets.
Given the longstanding link that liquorice has with healing practices and medicine, it would be fair to assume that it is a sweet that carries health benefits. The liquorice we’re familiar with today is much changed from the roots used in medicine so regularly throughout the years, but just how healthy is it?
Over the years, liquorice has been used to help and heal people of a variety of ailments. It is worth pointing out that it was the root of the liquorice plant that was most commonly used, and favoured by a host of cultures. Way back in 2300 BC, it was the belief of Chinese culture that liquorice root would revitalise ageing men. It was also given to Roman soldiers to fight the effects of fatigue during battle.
In those days, it was the root of the plant that was used medicinally, however, you’re much more likely to find candied liquorice nowadays. That doesn’t mean that it can’t have health benefits, though. When the delicious kind is eaten, it needs to be in moderation just like any other sweet treats (they’re treats for a reason)!
Due to the natural ingredients in liquorice, it can be beneficial for your digestive system. It can soothe an array of stomach and abdominal issues such as ulcers and heartburn – liquorice tea is best for these issues. There is the belief that the same relief can apply to sore throats and coughs as well.
Over the years, it has been thought that liquorice can help to curtail symptoms of colds and flu. The liquorice root has been used over the years to soothe and heal sore throats and coughs and is still used for this today.
A benefit that will likely be of interest to many is that liquorice can help to lower cholesterol! Regular consumption of liquorice root can help the body’s flow of bile and, in turn, reduce cholesterol. But again, this is something more closely associated with the root of the plant and isn’t an excuse to gorge on tons of liquorice!
Eating a lot of liquorice in a short space of time can have negative health effects, so consume in moderation – just like any other sweets! Liquorice can clearly have an impact on our bodies, hence its long history with medicine. So it won’t come as a surprise to hear that consuming excessive amounts over a prolonged period will have negative health implications. Overconsumption can affect blood pressure, electrolyte balances and also interfere with several prescribed medications. Don’t worry, liquorice is a safe treat to enjoy once in a while – you’d have to be eating large amounts every day to expect any of these side effects.
Given its acquired taste, many people prefer red liquorice to the original candied kind. However, if you are hoping for any benefits, however mild, the key is the inclusion of liquorice extract. Commonly present in black liquorice, the fruiter kinds get their flavouring from elsewhere, so do not feature any real liquorice.
Whilst it is much less common to find medicinal liquorice sweets today, countless options have the same taste beloved by many. Many liquorice sweets are still made using real liquorice extracts, whilst others replicate the flavour using aniseed. From boiled favourites and infused flavours to the delicious simplicity of liquorice sticks, there are plenty of ways to get your tasty fix of liquorice.
Named after what could be considered the birthplace of liquorice sweets, Pontefract Cakes are a classic liquorice treat! Haribo Pontefract Cakes are a fine example of these Yorkshire-born classics – and even feature the same stamp of Pontefract Castle the treats traditionally bear. There are also plenty of other variants, each combining the distinctive taste with the round, chewy texture.
Curators and creators of many classic sweets throughout the history of British confectionery, it is no surprise that Barratt has plenty of offerings for liquorice lovers. A true sweetshop favourite, Barratt Sherbet Fountains pair a stick of tough and chewy liquorice with a sour and fizzy tube of sherbet. Even those who aren’t huge fans of liquorice know the joys of dipping it into the fizzy stuff! For those who want a simpler treat, the Barratt Hard Liquorice Sticks are just that.
Another liquorice treat that has certainly stood the test of time is the Maynards Bassetts Liquorice Allsorts! Created back in 1899 when a tray of liquorice and aniseed-flavoured sweets was dropped. The different samples became mixed up and a British icon was born! Still popular today, this blend of treats has a flavour palette that liquorice lovers still cannot resist!
Whether you are mad about liquorice yourself or simply know someone who is, you’ll find all the most popular treats right here at Wholesale Sweets. Our mouth-watering range is available in bulk and provides a great value way to stock up on your favourite treats, buy gifts for sweet lovers or even cater for parties! We love talking about sweets almost as much as we enjoy eating them – so if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us!
