Liquorice

Liquorice is the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra from which a sweet flavour can be extracted. The word "liquorice" is derived from the Old French word "licoresse" - the Greek word "Glukurrhiza" means "sweet root", The liquorice plant is a herbaceous perennial legume native to southern Europe and parts of Asia, such as India. It is not botanically related to anise, star anise, or fennel, which are sources of similar flavoured compounds. Liquorice flavours are used in sweets, or as sweeteners, particularly in European and Middle Eastern countries. Much of the sweetness in liquorice comes from glycyrrhizin, which has a sweet taste, 30-50 times the sweetness of sugar. The sweetness is very different from sugar, being less instant, tart, and lasting longer. Liquorice extracts have long been used in herbalism and traditional medicine.