Licorice candy is a package with a shiny external appearance and chewy consistency that is traditionally flavored from the extract from the root of the licorice plant. The licorice plant grows in southern Asia and Europe and its roots contain a sweet substance known as glycyrrhizic acid. Glycyrrhizic is the main ingredient responsible for giving licorice a sweet taste and is widely considered to be about 50 times sweeter than sugar. Modern versions of candies are often made with oil extracted from the anise plant, a Mediterranean plant that has a licorice-like flavor.
Traditional licorice candy is also commonly referred to as black licorice. It is black in color and is usually done by combining licorice extract with a binder, such as corn starch or gelatin, and adding it to a mold to give the candy a rippled texture. Once the liquid mixture dries, a thin wax is generally applied to the outside of the candy to give it a shiny appearance. Since this type of licorice uses real licorice root extract for its flavor, it is thought to have a deeper, more distinctive taste than versions that use anise oil.
Although it is generally packaged as licorice candy, the version that tends to be more common in modern times is often seasoned with the oil extracted from the seeds of the anise plant rather than using licorice extract. The candy can also be flavored with a combination of both licorice extract and anise oil. The United States tends to be more likely to have versions of the candy that are made with anise oil rather than authentic licorice extract, depending on the availability of the extracts.
Licorice candy is also available in a red color that can come in a variety of specific flavors. This type of candy is generally marketed as a licorice product, but usually does not contain licorice or anise oil flavors. Red licorice is often flavored with cherry or strawberry, but has the same ridged texture, chewiness, and shiny appearance like traditional licorice. Other common flavor variations of candy include chocolate licorice, which is usually brown, blue and raspberry, which tends to have a bright blue color.
Although most licorice candy tends to share the same rippled texture, shiny appearance, and chewiness, manufacturers can produce the candy in a variety of different shapes. Thin, hollow licorice strings are one of the most common forms, as are small bite-sized licorice pieces. The candies can also be molded into wheels or made into thin threads which are peeled off by another before eating.
