Processing liquorice root

[purpletigron]

I've got some liquorice root, and I'd like to try making sweets from it. I think that I need to peel the root, chop it up, simmer it in water, sieve the whole lot and then reduce the liquid until it is black and sticky.

I'd love some more detailed and precise instructions, as well as recipes for the resulting goop :-) But I'm not turning much up in my library, nor by searching the Web. Help?

Comments

[puppytown.livejournal.com]

Try spelling it "licorice"!

Also, try posting in the food_porn community. They are smart people.

[purpletigron.livejournal.com]

I eventually caught on to that one! Actually, I tried 'licorice' first, and couldn't find anything in my library until I remembered to look under 'liquorice' as well!

Oooh! Food porn!!!! :-)

[estoile.livejournal.com]

Personally, I've always just chewed on the rhizomes. Yummy! (Though not something one tends to do in public ...)

I think this is what you're looking for: http://groups.msn.com/ChatterboxCookhouseCafe/candyrecipes.msnw?action=view_list&row=0&viewtype=2&sortstring=

And here's a rather fascinating article on the chemical/medicinal properties of the herb. And a few cautionary notes. (Basically, significant consumption of licorice causes the kidneys to retain sodium, which can cause blood pressure problems.)
http://pubs.acs.org/cen/whatstuff/stuff/8032licorice.html

Have fun -- and be sure to report back on the experiments!

[purpletigron.livejournal.com]

Chewing is good - sorted out my codeine problem nicely (think un-dire rear... :-)

Unfortunately, that recipe is for commercial 'licorice' made with molasses and not liquorice!

But the article is fascinating :-)

[estoile.livejournal.com]

Have another look at the recipe: "For black licorice the syrup would contain crude molasses and oil of anise or water replaced with LICORICE ROOT TEA"

It would undoubtedly involve some experimentation, but it's a start ...

Some recipes are remarkably hard to track down. After multiple searches, I still haven't found a recipe for the original 'marshmallow candy' -- the sort that's made with actual marshmallow (decoction???), rather than gelatin. Candied marshmallow root, yes -- but nothing resembling the fluffy, tooth-and-brain-dissolving concoction of the same name.

Glad you enjoyed the article, anyway ... I thought it was great.

Have fun!

[estoile.livejournal.com]

Have another look at the recipe: "For black licorice the syrup would contain crude molasses and oil of anise or water replaced with LICORICE ROOT TEA"

Please note that the caps are in the original -- I'm not impugning your intelligence or powers of observation ... ;-)

[purpletigron.livejournal.com]

No worries - it didn't occur to me that you might be :-)

I think my fuzzy brain saw licorice root tea, and thought that it was something like orange pekoe tea or licorice flavour tea, rather than licorice root infusion. I think we're back to peel, chop, infuse, strain, reduce...

Some time, I will try making marshmallow from marsh mallows, too :-)