The Fascinating World of Liquorice: A Sweet Delight with Endless Flavours
When you think of liquorice, what comes to mind? For some, it’s the classic black twist that packs a punch of bold, earthy flavour. For others, it’s a rainbow of fruit-flavoured sweets that offer a chewy, sugary delight. But what exactly is liquorice, and why do we love it so much?
Women Talking investigates the rich history, unique taste, and the intriguing variety of flavours that make liquorice a beloved treat around the world and the magic in the middle of the new Cherry Flyers from Stockley’s Sweets.
What is Liquorice?
Liquorice is a confection made from the root extract of the Glycyrrhiza glabra plant, a legume native to Southern Europe and parts of Asia. This root has been used for centuries not only as a flavouring agent but also for its medicinal properties. The extract, known for its intense sweetness—about 30 to 50 times sweeter than sugar, which is what gives traditional liquorice its distinctive taste.
Why Do We Like Liquorice?
The love for liquorice can be quite polarising people usually either love it or hate it. But for those who do enjoy it, liquorice offers a complex sensory experience. The taste is often described as a combination of sweet, bitter, salty, and slightly spicy, creating a unique flavour profile that’s unlike any other sweets.
What Does Liquorice Taste Like?
The taste of liquorice is one of its most defining characteristics. Traditional black liquorice has a complex flavour that’s both sweet and slightly bitter, with hints of anise, a spice that’s often used in cooking and baking. This unique combination of flavours can be surprising for those expecting a typical candy sweetness.
Different regions have different interpretations of what liquorice should taste like. In Northern Europe, for example, salty liquorice (or salmiak) is incredibly popular. It combines the sweet, earthy taste of liquorice root with the intense, salty flavour of ammonium chloride, creating a savoury snack that’s beloved by many in those countries.
Why Are There Multiple Flavours on the Market?
The variety of liquorice flavours available on the market today reflects both cultural preferences and the evolution of sweet making.
Cult liquorice pioneer, Flyers is adding a bespoke, zingy Cherry to its existing stable of Sour and Fruity Flavoured liquorice sticks. Born way back in 1946, this childhood classic is enjoying meteoric growth on account of its unwavering generational appeal to liquorice lovers of all ages and more inquisitive sweet enthusiasts who enjoy the delicious contradiction of chewy liquorice meets tangy crystal centres.
Sour-themed sweets are undoubtedly the hottest property in UK confectionery today, especially for those seeking pleasure and adventure via innovative flavours and textures. With Flyers there is an added layer of intrigue as the tangy crystal centres arrive neatly wrapped within a chewy liquorice jacket.
The Bottom Line
Whether you prefer the classic taste of black liquorice, the intense hit of salty liquorice, or the fruity sweetness of flavoured varieties, there’s a type of liquorice out there for everyone.
Poppy Watt