How is liquorice made?

 

From Trent Hamilton

Liquorice is actually a plant and the confectionary we eat is made from the sap extracted from its roots. Its distinctive flavour comes from a naturally sweet compound called glycyrrhizin, which is 50-times sweeter than sugar. To make liquorice, the dried roots are crushed and pulped into boiling water and the sap is extracted and dried into a golden-brown powder. It is then mixed with wheat flour, syrup and anise, dissolved in water and then boiled to create a dough. The dough is then compressed into moulds and left to dry into soft, chewy sweets.


Answered by Joanna Stass for Brain Dump in How It Works issue 104

To feature in our Brain Dump section, send us your questions to [email protected] or message us on Facebook or Twitter