Black Licorice Candy
Licorice is a self-growing plant, mostly found in Europe, Africa and Asia including Iran.
Licorice is 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 has got various uses. It is used in confectionery, food and beverages, chocolate and candies, pastilles etc.
In this passage, we go through black licorice candy.
What Is Black Licorice Candy?
Black licorice is mainly consumed in candies, jellybeans and pastilles. They have various sizes and forms like twists, balls, straws, rolls etc.
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.
The Benefits of Black Licorice Candy
Black licorice candy 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.
How to Make Black Licorice Candy?
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.
How Much Black Licorice Is Safe?
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 and Edited by: Meysam Shokripour (Sepidan Osareh Jonoob Co.)
References : IranLicorice.com
