Believe it or not, licorice has been around for a very, very long time. When you think about innovative creations and inventions, it might seem strange to consider licorice as part of the list, but it’s a herb with a relatively long history with mankind. These days, most people know licorice as a kind of candy with a peculiar taste. Some kids have taken to calling it root beer candy.
That said, it’s always fun to dive into the history of things, and licorice is no exception. It’s gone from an herbal remedy to the part of a treasure trove, to a candy shelf! Let’s look into the evolution of licorice, as well as its timeline.
Who invented licorice?
Licorice wasn’t so much invented as it was discovered. The ancient Chinese first discovered the herb, and they touted it as a miracle plant said to cure many ailments.
Licorice’s key contributors (and evolution)
- Ancient ChineseAn herbal remedy used to rejuvenate an aging body
Some of the very first records date back to 2300 BC. In ancient China, licorice was touted as a magic herb capable of staving off the effects of aging.
- Ancient EgyptiansTutankhamun’s tomb
Tutankhamun’s tomb is a relatively popular topic amongst history buffs, and one of the things found in the tomb is licorice. It’s likely the Egyptians had a similar idea as the Chinese.
- Ancient GreeceA history of remedies
During the earlier years, licorice was largely used as an ingredient in many different remedies. As with the Chinese and Egyptians, the Greeks were no different.
- Galle & JessenStarted using licorice as throat pastilles before moving to sweets and various other products
The company Galle & Jessen started in 1872, and they built the licorice factory in 1902. Ga-Joll was introduced in 1933, and is considered one of the oldest licorice products around. It didn’t take very long before they started to add licorice to the list when making candies.
When was licorice invented?
Licorice was first discovered by the ancient Chinese. Its oldest records date to around 2300 BC, when it was used as a rejuvenation herb.
A brief history of licorice
Known for its odd yet appealing taste, licorice has something of a treasured history, especially among earlier civilizations. For example, the story starts around 2300 BC, when the emperor at that time, Shennong, had licorice recorded as a form of divine root, using it as an herbal remedy designed to slow the effects of aging.
Interestingly enough, the licorice root was also found amongst the many treasures in Tutankhamun’s tomb. Since the ancient pharaohs would have their most treasured items buried with them, licorice undoubtedly played a part. It’s likely they also saw it as a kind of miracle plant, as many ancient civilizations did. The same thing can be said about the Greeks, who used licorice as a part of their many remedies. It became a form of cough medicine in England, France, Germany, and Italy.
Eventually, Galle & Jessen turned licorice into throat pastilles around 1933, thanks to the invention of soft licorice in the 20s. At that point, it was only a matter of time until they started to add licorice as a flavor to candies. These days there are so many different licorice products that people with a taste for licorice have plenty of choices. While some might not be fond of the taste, many more still that love it!
The licorice timeline
- 2300 BCAn herbal remedy used to rejuvenate the aging body
Some of the very first records date back to 2300 BC. In ancient China, licorice was touted as a magic herb capable of staving off the effects of aging.
- 1350 BCTutankhamun’s tomb
Tutankhamun’s tomb is a relatively popular topic amongst history buffs, and one of the things found in the tomb is licorice. It’s likely the Egyptians had a similar idea as the Chinese. It’s telling that the rulers of ancient civilizations enjoy the use of licorice as an ingredient for remedies.
- 700-323 BCA history of remedies in Greece
During the earlier years, licorice was largely used as an ingredient in many different remedies. As with the Chinese and Egyptians, the Greeks were no different.
- 1872-1933The beginnings of Galle & Jessen and the creation of licorice candies
The company Galle & Jessen was started in 1872, and the licorice factory was built in 1902. Ga-Joll was introduced in 1933, and is considered one of the oldest licorice products around. It didn’t take very long before they started to add licorice to the list when making candies.
Where was licorice invented?
The earliest records of licorice was found in ancient China. In the modern age, it grows in a belt from North Africa, through the Middle East, and all the way to China.
The importance of licorice
- The miracle root
Early civilizations had a habit of using licorice as an herbal remedy. Modern studies show it to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects.
- The preferred remedy of kings
You’ve likely already noticed a trend with licorice. It’s an herb that has somehow captured the hearts of ancient civilizations — particularly the ruling class. They used it as a remedy for rejuvenation, as they thought it would slow the effects of aging. There is some truth to those claims with current studies, which was why it was such a popular remedy.
- Odd yet satisfying
Licorice is the kind of thing where you either love it or hate it. It’s challenging to find anything in-between, which is understandable for something with such a distinct taste. You’ll find that most people develop a taste for it given enough time.
- A long history
Those who take the time to learn about the history of licorice will likely have a little more appreciation for the so-called miracle root.
Licorice by the numbers
- 300Licorice contains over 300 flavonoids and chemical compounds. The most active of the chemical compounds is called glycyrrhizin and has been the subject of many medical studies.
- 5It’s said that taking 5 grams of licorice daily over a prolonged period can cause health problems, including heart attack. So it’s recommended to take licorice in moderation!
- 40For anyone over the age of 40, taking as little as 2 ounces a day for two weeks could potentially cause arrhythmia.
- 1It’s said that chewing a single twig of licorice can help ease a sore throat and cure a cough.
Five facts about licorice
- The thing about anise oil
Licorice is known to have potentially harmful side effects if taken over long periods. As a result, it’s not a good idea to have too much black licorice — or at all if you have a heart condition or high blood pressure. On the other hand, anise oil is entirely different, though it shares a similar taste and fragrance. Candies made with anise oil make a great replacement for licorice.
- The double-edged sword
It’s stated that the most active ingredients in licorice have a variety of health benefits, but it’s not something you can take in abundance. Taking too much of the stuff over a prolonged period can cause heart problems. Everything in moderation!
- The ancient remedy
Typically, licorice-based remedies were used for various ailments, including lung and kidney diseases. It was most commonly used as a rejuvenation drink for those who wanted to slow the effects of aging.
- Similarities with licorice
Both anise and fennel are known to share some features with licorice — particularly the taste and fragrance. The reason is due to the compound anethole. It helps give those particular ingredients the same flavor profile across the board.
- Conflicts with medication
While licorice is well-loved by most people, it’s not something you should take often, and it isn’t something you can take alongside specific types of medication. Examples include ACE inhibitors and diuretics.
FAQ about licorice
- Should I take licorice or not?
If you enjoy licorice, there’s no reason not to take it. The only thing you have to do is have your favorite licorice products in moderation. Any product with natural licorice ingredients is not advisable to consume over a long period. While it’s great to have it now and again, it could cause problems if taken over extended periods.
- Are licorice products using anise oil safe?
The cool thing about anise oil is that people can call it a licorice product, but in truth, it won’t have anything to do with licorice — at least, chemically speaking. If it uses anise or fennel oil, you can expect the same great taste but no potential side effects.
- How would you describe the flavor of licorice?
While it’s not easy to pinpoint the precise flavor, it has inclusions of sweet, salty, bitter, and sour. Those flavors merge in a peculiar way, creating the flavor profile of licorice.
