Australia: Land of Licorice

"The Candied Life" blog recently posted a review of licorice made in Australia, comparing it to Twizzlers. Their verdict? Once you've tried real licorice made in Australia, you won't want to go back to Twizzlers. Licorice made in Australia "tastes like the flavor it announces, not a ghostly hint of that flavor amidst a mouthful of wax. The licorice is the star, not the medium."

Read the entire post here.

You can choose from 15 different kinds of Australian Licorice at Licorice International, including the popular Kookaburra Black Twists. See all the varieties of Australian licorice here.

Click here to return to the main blog page.

Soldiers are requesting licorice

Celebrity Chef Emeril Lagasse recently visited a military base to film a TV special. In a follow-up interview he was asked what non-perishable food items he would recommend that family and friends send to military people. One of the things he suggested was licorice. Here's what he said:

Q: What non-perishable food items would you recommend that family and friends send to military people?

A: I just shipped a box [recently] to a couple of friends and it was simple stuff … a lot of my spices, which is what they wanted, a few jars of my pasta sauce, licorice — believe it or not, red and black licorice was one of the big requests — and hard candies. Bags of them, because that’s what they miss.

(Read the full interview here .)

You can share licorice with our troops through Licorice International's "Treats for the Troops" program. You can purchase either a 12-pound box of Licorice Candy Twists (approximately 500 twists) or an 8-pound box of Licorice Candy Twists (approximately 350 twists). Licorice International will ship the box to a chaplain who will distribute the candy to men and women serving our country.

Click here for more information about this great program.

Chew on This: Free Licorice XyliChew Gum All This Month!

Here's a tasty way to cleaner teeth: Chew XyliChew Chewing Gum! A dentist quoted in this month's issue of Readers Digest suggests that people chew six or seven pieces of xylitol gum every day to keep cavities away.

Xylitol, a natural sweetener found in licorice, has been proven to help fight cavities and is endorsed by six national dentist organizations. Click here to read more about the benefits of this amazing substance.

Now you can try a free pack of XyliChew Chewing Gum made with xylitol. Place any on-line order with Licorice International, and you will receive a free full-size package of XyliChew Chewing Gum (value $1.75). The gum will automatically be included with your order. This offer is good through the end of July 2009.

Click here for more info on this offer.

Flag Cake Made from Licorice Candy Twists

Here's a great way to decorate a cake for the Fourth of July: Make a flag out of Kenny's Licorice Candy Twists.

To make the flag I simply used Red Raspberry and Pina Colada for the stripes and Blue Raspberry for the star field.

Fourteen flavors of Licorice Candy Twists are available from Licorice International.

Click here to return to the main blog page.

Free Shipping on Licorice Orders

Cool!

Now you can get free shipping on orders of $35 or more at Licorice International. Click here for details.

If you're like me, you always need to have several kinds of licorice on hand, for some low-fat healthy snacking. It's a good time to stock up on licorice for the rest of the summer.

Too cute! Hello Kitty cake made from licorice

Licorice lover Stacey Walsh visited the Licorice International retail store in Lincoln, Nebraska, recently, and found just what she needed to maker her daughter's birthday special. Here's what she has to say:

"I was in the Lincoln store a few weeks ago to pick up some black licorice jelly beans and some black licorice laces to decorate my daughter's 2nd birthday cake. I'm so happy I found what I needed. I made a Hello Kitty cake for her. My daughter Johanna went straight for the jelly bean eyes. I'm still enjoying the black licorice jelly beans. Thanks."

If you don't live in Lincoln, visit the Licorice International website for all your licorice supplies. You can find black licorice jelly beans here and black licorice laces here.

If you make a special cake using licorice, send your photo and story to us at licorice@oakviewresources.com and we might just add it to our blog.
Click here to return to the main blog page.

Licorice gargle helps post-op sore throat

Here's something interesting: A new study in the Journal Anesthesia & Analgesia reports that patients who gargle with a licorice solution before surgery have less incidents of post-operative sore throat or cough.

Here's a bit more about the study: http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/health-and-fitness/2009/06/post-op-sore-throat-try-a-lico.html

Click here to return to the main blog page.

Take Licorice on Vacation

Getting ready for a road trip? Licorice makes the perfect snack. It doesn't melt like chocolate. And it even helps settle your stomach on those long car rides. Not sure which licorice to pack? The bright colors of Licorice Allsorts will perk up those weary travelers. You can also pack a licorice sampler, or choose from one of Licorice International's best sellers, shown here.

Going on a hike? Make your own trail mix, using nuts, dried fruit and licorice. Cut up your favorite licorice or use a small licorice such as honey drops.

And, if you're like me, even what's supposed to be a relaxing vacation can often become stressful. I find a nice cup of Licorice Spice Tea to be a soothing way to relax and de-stress.

Click here to return to the main blog page.

Father's Day Idea

Your dad doesn't need another tie for Father's Day. And don't even think about socks.

Instead, why not get him something he'll enjoy all year: a membership in the licorice-of-the-month club! Each month he'll receive two regular size packages of licorice plus a sample product. He'll look forward to the surprise in his mailbox.

If you order now, a tin of black and red piglets will be included in your first order. Dad will love these fun little candies with the traditional taste, and he can reuse the tin to hold his treasures.

Click here for more information on the offer.

Licorice International on Wikipedia

Licorice International is now has an entry on Wikipedia. Check it out here.

And don't forget to click on the links to the right to find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Free Licorice: Triple Treats from Holland

I love the giveaway this month at Licorice International: Three of my favorite kinds of licorice, all from Holland. Sweet little Kokindjes buttons are just the right size for a tasty treat. Beehive Honey licorice is made with 8 percent real honey. I love the the taste of these cute little candies. And the unique combination of black licorice and strawberries in the Black Strawberry licorice makes a tasty treat.

During the month of June you can get a free sampling of these three great Dutch licorice treats when you place an order with Licorice International.

Click here for complete info.

Click here to return to the main blog page.

Licorice Treats for Troops

Here's a way you can support our troops and let them know you care.

You can purchase either a 12-pound box of Licorice Candy Twists (approximately 500 twists) or an 8-pound box of Licorice Candy Twists (approximately 350 twists).

Licorice International will ship the box to a chaplain who will distribute the candy to men and women serving our country.

Click here for complete info.

Click here to return to the main blog page.

Licorice Candy Twists - Not just for licorice lovers!

A visit from our friend Aaron gave us the ideal opportunity to test out Kenny's Licorice Candy Twists. Everyone says these treats appeal to anyone, not just licorice lovers. Since Aaron is still not convinced about black licorice, we thought we'd see what he thought of these delectible candies.

Result? He loved them. His favorite was Pina Colada, although he liked the cinnamon too.

Pina Colada was my daughter Carmen's favorite (She's the one in the middle), while Monica and I liked the root beer the best.

With 14 flavors in all, you'll be sure to find a favorite too. Many of these reminded us of other favorite treats. Grape tastes like grape soda or jolly ranchers; chocolate is a bit like a Tootsie Roll; peach tastes like those yummy gummy peach rings; and orange reminds us of old-fashioned orange slice gumdrops. Cinnamon has a pleasant, not-too-hot taste.

A friend of mine gives Kenny's Candy Licorice Twists as high school graduation gifts. The package is a perfect size to go with a graduation card, and they're perfect for those late-night study sessions in college.

Click here to order these treats.

Click here to return to the main blog page.

Licorice Spice Tea

Licorice Spice Tea is one of my favorites. But of course, I'm a die-hard licorice lover. That's why I was interested to read this review from someone who is "just getting used to the taste of licorice" and who admits that licorice is not one of her "favourite things in the world." (Can you imagine?)

In spite of her initial skepticism, the reviewer was pleasantly-surprised at the root-beer-like taste and the lingering sweetness.

You can read the review here.

Click here to return to the main blog page.

Licorice Treats Bring Joy to Orphans in Haiti

What a difference a sweet treat can make in a child's life. These pictures were sent to us from an orphanage in Haiti.

Mmm . . . Kenny's Peach Licorice Candy Twists!

Yummy Kenny's Blue Raspberry Licorice Candy Twist.

For more heartwarming photos and information how you can help, visit

http://haitichurchofchrist.org/

Click here to return to the main blog page.

Find Licorice International on Facebook

Now you can become a fan of Licorice International on Facebook!

Click here to become a fan, or search for "Licorice International" on Facebook.

Eat Licorice. Visit Ten Thousand Villages.

Bright colors greet you when you step into Ten Thousand Villages in Lincoln’s Haymarket. It a great place to browse—full of one-of-a-kind home décor, toys, clothes, jewelry, handbags, Christmas decorations and even fun chess sets.

But more importantly—every item you buy at Ten Thousand Villages directly benefits an artisan in one of 38 underdeveloped countries. Through this unique program, artisans are paid a fair price for handmade items created using environmentally friendly materials. Artisans express their personality and culture in the hand-made products you would never be able to find in a typical retail store.

Each item has an interesting story to tell. For instance, you can buy bracelets recycled from discarded plastic bags in Burkina Faso. Lacquer paper weights from Vietnam are fashioned from river rocks through a special process that takes 45 days and incorporates the thumbprint of the artist. At just $7.00, they’re a popular gift item.

Ten Thousand Villages is one of nearly 200 affiliated North American stores and has been serving Lincoln for 25 years, said manager Gabby Ayala. Since moving to the Haymarket area five years ago, business has skyrocketed. The Haymarket is a favorite area for tourists and a destination spot for locals, and the Saturday morning farmers market brings like-minded people to the neighborhood.

Gabby loves to visit Licorice International, located just down the street from Ten Thousand Villages. Her favorite kind of licorice? Australian Kookaburra Twists, especially the strawberry and green apple flavors.

Ten Thousand Villages is located at 140 North 8th Street and is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays.

Click here to return to the main blog page.

Get It Free! Black Taffy Licorice

Do you remember "Black Jack" taffy--that chewy, addictive treat with anise and licorice flavors? Maybe it was what you looked for in your Halloween bag, or it was your favorite treat in Grandpa's candy dish.

Although you can't get "Back Jack" taffy anymore, you can still enjoy "Black Taffy" made by the Primrose Company. It's available through Licorice International.

And if you place an order through Licorice International's website during the month of May, you can receive a free sample of Back Taffy. Details here.

Click here to return to the main blog page.

Ernie Loves Licorice

Sesame Street's Ernie has good taste. See how he tricks Bert out of most of the licorice whip candy! Can you blame him?



He'd have a lot of fun with Licorice Laces from Licorice International.

Click here to go back to the main blog page.

Licorice Has Become Hot

Though called "candy's black sheep," licorice is gaining popularity. From candy stores to fine dining establishments, licorice is in high demand. The National Confectioners Association reports that licorice sales are growing considerably faster than candy in general. Customers at Licorice International often start out buying licorice for their parents, but soon discover they like it too. Read more about this phenomenon here.

Click here to return to the main blog page.

Licorice may help prevent cancer

New research gives another reason to love licorice: A chemical component of licorice may offer a new approach to preventing colorectal cancer without the adverse side effects of other preventive therapies, Vanderbilt University Medical Center researchers report.

Read the whole article here.

Click here to return to the main blog page.

Licorice Mints

Licorice and mints. I must admit the combination sounded strange to me at first. But it really makes sense. Licorice naturally freshens breath and actually helps fight cavities. In fact, the popular Mentos candies were created in Netherlands as a licorice-flavorted sweet called "Drop Mentos." Licorice is called "drop" in the Netherlands and has been a popular treat there ever since Dutch exploreres first brought licorice root back from their travels.

Although you can't buy Drop Mentos in U.S. stores, you can purchase these treats on-line from Licorice International here.

Another one of my favorite mints goes by the interesting name "Hint Mints" and comes in a unique tin designed to fit in your back pocket. Hint Mints, an American candy, have a strong mint-and-licorice flavor that especially appeals to hard core licorice lovers. I find them downright addicting. You can purchase hint mints here.

Click here to return to the main blog page.

Free Licorice Snaps

Just in time for spring! Now you can try a sample of Original Licorice Snaps, made by the American Licorice Company. The bright pastel colors remind me of spring flowers. With a formula that hasn't changed in over 75 years, Snaps are an old fashioned favorite.

If you place an order with Licorice International before April 30, you'll receive a FREE sample pack (1.1 ounce) of Snaps. Complete info here.

Licorice International Now on Twitter

Do you twitter? Now you can follow Licorice International on Twitter. Check it out at http://twitter.com/licoricelover

Licorice, Almonds and Pears -- Not a Joke

It's not an April Fool's joke. Licorice, almonds and pears really do go together! And they look like mice, if done right! Try this fun recipe for "Mice Pears," which was included in the food section of Northwest Arkansas "Morning News." Although the recipe calls for angelica, it also suggests you substitute black licorice. You can use our Black licorice laces (available here) for the tail and also add some whiskers, to make it even more fun.

Click here for the recipe (look for "Mice Pears").

Click here to return to the main blog page.

Licorice and Stress

A friend of mine regularly uses licorice to combat stress She said if she's feeling stressed out, she sucks on a piece of Panda licorice (she likes Panda because it uses molasses instead of sugar) or she brews a pot of licorice spice tea.

A little research showed that my friend is in good company. Licorice has been used to combat stress for centuries. The ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans reguarly used it for stress. In fact, Alexander the Great passed out licorice root to his battle troops.

It turns out that licorice strengthens the adrenal glands, which regulate the body's stress response.
So the next time you feel stressed, reach for your favorite licorice treat. Make sure the candy you choose is made with real licorice root, not just flavored with anise. You can find all kinds of licorice from all over the world through Licorice International. To start with, try my friend's favorite Panda licorice, or some Dutch treats, such as Soft Licorice Drops or Beehive Honey Licorice. (But there are lots more to choose from here.) If you prefer the soothing nature of hard candy, try Potter's original licorice bits. And if you want a natural treat reminsent of the ancients, try chewing or sucking on licorice root sticks.

Click here to return to the main blog page.

A special visit to Licorice International

Tom Neubauer from Milwauke, Wisconsin, recently visited the Licorice International retail store in Lincoln, Nebraska. Here's what he had to say:

On Saturday, the 21st , our family visited your store. I haven’t been able to find a replacement for my old favorite, Switzer’s, for a long while. Now I have a resource for the ages and a check list to boot. I selected the Finnska Ripples. Our daughter moved from our home in Milwaukee in 2008 to join the UN Press. Thanks for filling a hole in my stomach and my diet.

Licorice Shapes and Personality

Have you ever thought about the different shapes of Licorice? What's your favorite licorice shape? What does that tell you about your personality? Take this purely unscientific quiz to see what your favorite licorice shape tells about your personality.

First, think of your favorite type of licorice. What shape is it? It might be cylinders, laces, cute shapes, drops, tire tread, twists, rounds, diamonds, or wheels. If you aren't familiar with different kinds of licorice, think what kind you might be drawn to. Then consult the list to see what your favorite shape reveals about your personality.

(All licorice mentioned is available from Licorice International. Click on the names to order.)

Cylinders (such as Salmiak Rocks) – You’re a no-nonsense type. You like things to be practical and useful. What you see is what you get.

Laces (such as Black Licorice Laces) – You’re athletic and action oriented. Easily bored, you’re always looking for a new challenge and often try several new things at once. A risk taker.

Shapes (such as Farm Licorice) – You’re a kid at heart. Your active imagination and creativity make you a fun conversationalist. The life of the party.

Drops (such as Harlekijn Licorice) – You’re conservative and make good, well-informed choices. Your wisdom is widely valued by those around you. Moderation in all things.

Tire Tread (such as Black Tire Tread Licorice) – You love life and want to enjoy every moment to the fullest. Life’s too short not to make the most of everything you’ve been given. Seize the day!

Twists (such as Kookaburra Black Twists) – You have an analytical mind. You love puzzles and quandaries that test your logical thinking skills. Quite decisive.



Rounds (such as Gustafs Royal Rounds) -- You’re always thinking of others. Your kindness and hospitality are evident to anyone, even those who’ve only known you a short while. Others first.

Diamonds (such as Diamond Licorice) – You’re good at seeing the big picture, and you have a vision for the future. A born leader.

Wheels (such as Black Licorice Wheels) – You have a need for symmetry and order. You have a real eye for detail. A place for everything, and everything in its place.

Click here to return to the main blog page.

A Review from Candy Addict Blog

Our friends at the Candy Addict Blog LOVE licorice. Today they reviewed three of our new products:

Waldov Soft Eating Original Liquorice from Australia, which they declared to be "sooooo soft" (which is a good thing) with a "superb" flavor.





Waldov Soft Eating Raspberry Liquorice from Australia, which they described as just as soft, with a sweet and tart flavor, great for raspberry lovers.

Finally, they tried our new Oh Ryan's Irish Potatoes. Although skeptical, they found they liked the unusual treat.

You can read their entire blog post here. Thanks for the shout out, Candy Addict!

Click here to return to the main blog page.

Comments, anyone?

Amy, a Lincoln resident, recently sent us the following e-mail:

"I just wanted to say how much I enjoy reading the blog! Makes me want to drive downtown every time. I will stop by soon!"

Are you enjoying the blog? Leave us a comment, whether you're a local customer or an on-line visitor. We'd love to hear from you.

Irish Licorice Toffee--a Special St. Patrick's Day Treat

Quick--what are some treats you might serve at a St. Patrick's Day party? Green jello? Soda bread? Corned beef? This year, instead of just the old stand-bys, serve some Irish Licorice Toffee from Licorice International.

At my licorice tasting party, the Irish Licorice Toffee was a favorite of licorice lovers as well as the not-so-enthusiastic friends. Everone liked the combined flavors of toffee and real licorice and the soft, chewy (but not sticky) texture.

Click here to order Irish Licorice Toffee.

Eat Licorice. Share a meal at Bread & Cup.

Just down the street from Licorice International in Lincoln's Historic Haymarket, you'll find Bread & Cup, a new restaurant that's becoming a popular destination.

It's a refreshing alternative: simple food and drink meant to be shared. It's about fresh ingredients and letting the natural processes of heat and fermentation enhance the good flavors of the food, explained Kevin Shinn, who owns the restaurant with his wife Karen (pictured right). Favorite meal items include hearty stews, soups and sandwiches, such as the popular pulled pork, served with baked apples, or the new turkey salad sandwich tossed in cream cheese, green chiles, green onion and cumin. When the Farmers Market is active, you can enjoy "Market Meals" created from fresh produce purchased that day from local farmers.

But it's about more than the food. It's about slowing down, connecting with others, enjoying good conversation. It's about sharing quality wine and their "slowdough" break coupled with aged cheese, apple butter or pesto. Or relaxing in a peaceful environment over French press coffee and freshly baked scones.

"We really want to be known as a place where people connect," said Kerry Knight, manager. "Throughout history people seem to connect better through food and drink."

Kerry is a big fan of Licorice International. Kerry's favorite kinds of licorice are:
Irish toffee. ("They melt in your mouth," he says.) Available here.
Good and Plenty (Fresher than anyplace else, he says). Available here.
Strawberry Kookaburra Twists. Available here.
Black Tire Tread. Available here.

Bread & Cup is located at the corner of 8th and S Street in Lincoln's Historic Haymarket.
For more information see http://www.breadandcup.com/ or call 402-438-2255.

Click here to return to the main blog page.

Watch This Video from Irish Potato Factory

During a recent trip to Philadelphia, Licorice Lady Elizabeth Erlandson enjoyed a tour of Oh Ryan’s, the largest manufacturer of Irish Potatoes, a special kind of candy. Never heard of Irish Potatoes? “They aren’t Irish and there’s no potato in it whatsoever,” said owner Dave Lamparelli. Irish Potatoes are made from coconut cream coated in cinnamon, a tasty treat that looks a little like a potato. In Philadelphia they’re a common treat around St. Patrick’s Day.

The process starts with the coconut cream going through the “cut roll machine,” a 70-year-old machine that cuts the coconut cream and rolls it into little balls. Then the treats go through the “cinnamonizer,” where they are coated in pure cinnamon. The little potatoes are hand wrapped, packaged and sent to distributors. From January 1st through St. Patrick’s Day, about 20 employees are kept busy 12 hours a day, making an average of 2000 pounds of Irish Potatoes every day. That’s 85,000 pounds per season!

Most Irish Potatoes are sold in Philadelphia, along with other unique Philly treats such as scrapple and Tasty Cakes. But Lamparelli said they have sent the candies as far away as Alaska, where an Irish dance troupe used them for a fundraiser.

And now you can buy Irish Potatoes through Licorice International. They’re available in our retail store and online. Click here to order Irish Potatoes. Order early to make sure you get them in time for St. Patrick’s Day.

Click here to return to the main blog page.

Coolest Ladybug Cake: A great use for licorice

Here's a great cake for a child's birthday party or any time you want to have a bit of whimsical fun. The "coolest Ladybug Cake" is made out of a devil's food cake mix and uses black licorice for the legs, black stripe and antennas of the ladybug. See a photo and complete directions here.

Don't settle for the bland "licorice" you find in the grocery store. Make this cake really special by using real licorice from Licorice International. We recommend Kenny's Black Licorice Twists, available here or Dutch Black Licorice Laces, available here.

Click here to return to the main blog page.

Do you love licorice? You're a maverick!

If you're like me, you always choose the black jelly beans, even if your friends think you're crazy. (Of course, I later discovered that real licorice is far superior to licorice-flavored jelly beans.)

Well, now there's good news: According to an article in the Edmonton Sun Newspaper, if you choose licorice-flavored jelly beans, you're a maverick, a forward-thinking individual, and a true leader.

Read the article here.

Click here to return to the main blog page.

Licorice Helps Fight Cavities

Here's another reason to love licorice: It can actually help fight cavities. Wenyuan Shi, a microbiologist at UCLA's School of Dentistry, and his colleague, Quin-Yi Lu, a chemist at UCLA's School of Medicine, studied 2000 commonly used Chinese herbs for microbial properties and observed some of the strongest activity in experiments involving licorice root. They found that only 15 mg. of licorice powder eliminates 99.9% of the streptococcus mutans bacterium that can cause cavities.

Licorice International offers some great sugar-free licorice and candy and gum. You can get a 100-piece package of Xylichew Licorice chewing gum for only $12.95 here. You may prefer the traditional Dutch DeBron licorice, now available sugar free here. Amarelli Sugar-Free Chips give a chewy licorice taste with a touch of menthol. They're available here.

Click here to browse through all the sugar free products available at Licorice International.

Preventing cavities with good taste -- what could be better!

Click here to return to the main blog page.

Taste the Licorice Memories Contest Winners

Congratulations to the winners in our "Taste the Licorice Memories" Contest

FIRST PLACE
First place goes to Patricia Clark of North Royalton, Ohio, for her cute story about Halloween. She plans to share her prize ($50 gift certificate to Licorice International) with her five brothers and sisters, who are very much a part of her story.

Here's her winning entry:

Halloween has always been my favorite holiday. Overlooking the spooky kooky theme which appeal is obvious, the combination of creating my own unique costume and getting a sack full of candy make the night tops in my book. As a baby boomer of the 60’s each Oct 31st I joined the 100’s of kids on my block in search of delectable delights. Pillow case in hand we’d run wildly door to door screaming Trick or Treat collecting a small bounty in a few short hours. The night always ended at the kitchen table where the trading began. After dumping the contents of our bags on the table candy was sorted by category . . . Chocolate, suckers, pennies and of course licorice. Not one to question authority, along with being the youngest and most naïve, I always listened to my 4 older siblings when told black licorice went immediately to the trade pile.

As an adult after a fun night of Trick or Treating with my daughter as tradition had it did the ol dump and sort on the kitchen table. “What’s this?” my daughter asked, handing me a box of black crow’s licorice. Realizing I had never actually eaten a piece since it was always traded, I popped one into my mouth.

Giggling to myself, I realized all those years I had been duped. This stuff was delicious. They invented the trade pile to be able to keep it all for themselves.


SECOND PLACE
Second place goes to April Huckaby of Bloomfield, Connecticut, for her heart-warming story. She receives a $25 gift certificate to Licorice International. Here's her entry:

This is a true story

This past summer, i was sitting at the Duomo in Florence, Italy . . .

I was hungry and being a snacker, I always have items on my duffle bag that I carry with me throughout the world on my various travels.

I pulled out a pack of red licorice and started walking over one of the bridges that leads up to the Boboli gardens.

As I started on the bridge, I pulled out one piece of licorice and went to put the others in my bag. At that moment, a nun, who was a part of a whole group, spotted my licorice. I could tell that she wanted a piece. The other nuns were busy pointing over the Ponte Vecchio at a group of rowers.

I walked over and offered it to her and she accepted. I also offered the other nuns a piece as well. We spoke in Italian for a bit and they went on their way, nuns in black habits , eating red licorice and heading into the Florence morning.

These are the moments that you hold in your heart as a traveler. Life is full of little moments . . . and I'm happy that I was a part of this one.


THIRD PLACE
Third place goes to Elizabeth Sunset of Astoria, Oregon. She says, "My dad would have gotten a kick out of our shared memory winning. He passed away last February." Elizabeth wins a $10 gift certificate to Licorice International. Here's her entry:

Thank you for letting me share one of my best memories that, oddly enough, includes both love and licorice.It seems like forever ago. I was a just a kid in the back of a car, sharing an adventure with my precious family. We were going on a road trip, our first, from California to South Dakota. I saw amazing things that delighted my ten year-old self to no end! Prairie dogs, buffalo, even Mt. Rushmore! But the thing I remember most is a beautiful summer evening, sitting by a lake, sharing chocolate licorice with my dad and watching as distant lightning crackled and hissed across a darkening sky. I'd eaten licorice with him before and I've eaten it since, but nothing will beat the taste of that piece of licorice coated in a warm, cozy layer of love.

Click here to go back to the main blog page.

Taste the Licorice Memories Contest

Thank you for your great entries for our "Taste the Licorice Memories" Contest. It's amazing to read the unique, touching and sometimes humorous memories. We're currently in the process of evaluating and judging the entries. Winners will be announced next week.

Anise Drops from France

When I invited friends to sample candies from Licorice International, a good friend from the Middle East was particularly impressed with the Flavigny anise mints, each one made from a single aniseed covered in sugar. In the Middle East anise is traditionally used to aid digestion and help breath. The mild flavor and anise in the Flavigny mints would make them a good after dinner candy, my friend said.

I became intrigued by these candies in the beautiful tin and wondered how anise made its way to France. A little research turned up some intriguing facts about Flaginy, France, the place where these drops come from.

Flavigny-sur-Ozerain is located about an hour from Dijon in Burgundy and was the location for the filming of the movie Chocolat. It’s been called one of the most beautiful villages in France. Flavigny is named after Flavien, a Roman traveler who brought anise seeds there from Syria in 52 B.C. The Benedictine Abbey of Sainte Pierre, founded in Flavigny in 717, began coating the seeds in sugar. No one knows when they first developed the process, but the candies are mentioned in a document as early as 872. The monks continued to make these delicious candies until the French Revolution, when the monastery was given to several families, who continued the process.

Today the village is a popular tourist spot and one of the “must see” spots is the Abbey, where free samples of anise candy are given out.

You can order three kinds of Flavigny anise mints from Licorice International. Each one comes in a beautiful tin. Click on the name to order.

Anise Drops. Simple goodness, made from aniseed, natural flavorings and sugar.

Liqourice Mints. An anise drop flavored with licorice extract, to give more of that licorice flavor.

Violet Drops. A tiny anise drop with a hint of violet.

Click here to return to the main blog page.

Just a few more days to enter our contest

Our "Taste the Licorice Memories" contest ends this Saturday. That means you have just a few days to send us your favorite licorice memory.

You can find complete instructions for the contest here or below at "Taste the Licorice Memories Contest." Be sure to send your entries by e-mail to licorice@oakviewresources.com and include complete complete contact information, including name, address, telephone and e-mail address. We look forward to hearing from you!

Click here to return to the main blog page

Olga Celebrates 80th Birthday at Licorice International

Pictured from left to right: Elizabeth, Olga and her son, and Ardith

While celebrating her 80th birthday, Olga and her family visited our store in Lincoln. Olga's daughter-in-law Jayne wrote: "Thank you so much for helping us celebrate Olga's birthday during our visit to your store on Jan 12th. It was a cold, blustery day to be out but we had fun once we got inside your store." Olga's favorite treat was the ever popular , Kenny's Peach Twists.

Click here to return to the main blog page.

Great Recipe: Licorice Allsort Slice

Here's a special treat for a cold January evening: Licorice Allsort Slices. Not only is it yummy, it just looks great, because it uses multi-colored Licorice Allsorts. Click on the link to see the recipe.
http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/3353/licorice+allsort+slice

Licorice International sells two different kinds of Licorice Allsorts. Bassett's Allsorts from England (available by clicking here) or RJ's Allsorts from New Zealand (Available by clicking here.)

This recipe is from Australia, where licorice is very popular. Here are some hints for converting the recipe to U.S. measurements and ingredients:

125g butter equals about one half cup (one stick)
Instead of golden syrup, you can use corn syrup or equal parts corn syrup and honey
Marie sweet biscuits are similar to shortbread cookies. 250g equals about 9 ounces.
Desiccated coconut is flaked, dried coconut. To dry coconut, spread it evenly on a cookie sheet and bake in a 250-degree oven. Check it often to make sure it doesn't burn.
375g Licorice Allsorts equals a little over 13 ounces. You can use one bag of Basset's Allsorts and have a few left over to sample.
200g dark cooking chocolate equals about 7 ounces.
Copha is hydrogenated coconut oil. You can substitute shortening. 30g equals about 2 tablespooons.
Because the pan measurements are for the base, you can use a regular 9 x 13 baking pan.



Click here to return to the main blog page.

Licorice International Featured in Strictly Business

Licorice International's new and improved eCommerce website was featured on the website of Strictly Business, a local magazine spotlighting significant business news. Click here to see the article.

Click here to go back to the main blog page

Eat Licorice, Read a Good Book

Just a block away from Licorice International, you’ll find Indigo Bridge, a new local bookstore and coffeshop that’s offers something a bit different.

I felt at home right away in the welcoming space of the store, with its old-fashioned coffee house feel, shelves filled with fascinating books, and the amazing tree sculpture that looks out over a bright children’s area. It’s more than just another bookstore. Every book on the shelves was hand-picked, either by owners Bob and Kim Coleman, their family, or their employees. A large display showcases books by local authors.

The toys and gift-items were also carefully selected. Handmade jewelry, journals and bags help support artisans in the third world. Locally roasted Cultiva coffee and a wide assortments of teas, sodas and pastries, as well as free wi-fi are all available in the coffeehouse.

Indigo Bridge welcomes groups of all kinds to gather in their coffeehouse area. A church group and writers group currently meet there on a regular basis, and book discussion groups are planned for the future.

If you purchase a cloth bag and bring it with you each time you shop, you can receive a 10 percent discount. The store also offers an additional 10 percent discount for educators (including homeschoolers). My friend Suzy, who homeschools, put it this way: “Wow! My dreams have come true! I can support a locally owned bookstore, drink locally roasted, free-trade coffee AND still get a 20% discount.”

Located inside the Creamery Building at 701 P Street, Indigo Bridge is open Monday-Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sunday from noon-10 p.m.

Click here to go back to the main blog page.

My New Year's Resolution: Eat More Licorice

Now that's the kind of New Year's resolution I like: Something positive. There are lots of reasons to eat licorice (besides its great taste). Licorice contains glycyrrhizin, a natural sweetener that's 50 times sweeter than sucrose. That means you can satisfy your sweet tooth without a lot of extra sugar. There are even sugar free varieties. Panda licorice is made with all natural ingredients, and organic licorice is another healthy alternative.

But that's not all. Licorice is just plain good for you. It's an expectorant, an antiviral/antifungal AND contains antioxidants. It has been shown to help peptic ulcers, cold sores and PMS. One study shows that licorice makes LDL cholesterol more resistant to oxidation.

So, instead of concentrating on what you're going to give up for the New Year, think about what you're going to add: more licorice!

Click here to go back to the main blog page.

Licorice that tastes like Jolly Ranchers?

Everyone at my licorice tasting party agreed: The Darrell Lea Soft Eating Green Apple Liquorice reminded them of Jolly Ranchers, those wonderful hard candies known for their authentic fruit flavors.

This Australian licorice was a big hit at my party. My friends appreciated the mild, pleasant flavor and the fact that it wasn't too sour (which is what they expected from a green apple candy). They also liked the soft texture.

Those who weren't fans of black licorice found they loved this candy, even though it does contain real licorice root.

"Liquorice" is the British and Australian spelling. Darrell Lea, a family-owned business, is well-known in Australia for its candy stores. They developed soft-eating licorice in 1957 and introduced the green apple flavor in 2004. Their licorice is so popular that now 25 percent of the Australian licorice market is soft eating. It is created using a special cooking process and has a shelf life of 12 months.

Purchase Darrell Lea Soft Eating Green Apple Liquorice here.

Click here to go to the main blog page.

There's still time to enter our "Taste the Licorice Memories Contest"

Do you remember when you tasted sweet black licorice for the first time? Maybe you're a more recent licorice enthusiast with a story to tell. Did you receive licorice as a special gift? You can win a gift certificate to Licorice International simply by sharing your favorite licorice memory.

We've received some great entries so far. To give everyone a chance to enter, we've extended the deadline of our contest to January 31, 2009. You can find complete instructions here or below at "Taste the Licorice Memories Contest."

Be sure to send your entries by e-mail to licorice@oakviewresources.com and include complete complete contact information, including name, address, telephone and e-mail address. We look forward to hearing from you!

Click here to return to the main blog page

Worried About Your Weight? Eat Licorice.

Are you worried about gaining weight over the holidays? There's good news for licorice lovers. Eating licorice has been shown to help reduce body fat mass. A team of researchers at the University of Padua in Italy studied 15 normal weight subjects who consumed 3.5 grams of real licorice per day for two months. At the end of the study the subjects' body fat mass was reduced. Licorice also satisfies your sweet tooth without adding a lot of calories, and it has zero fat. Make sure you are eating real licorice made from the licorice root.


So when those Christmas cookies start calling you, reach instead for a piece of licorice.


You can find many varieties of real licorice from all over the world at Licorice International.


Click here to go back to the main blog page.

Tell Us About Your Visit to Licorice International

Have you visited the Licorice International retail store in Lincoln, Nebraska? Located in the city's historic Haymarket district, the store has become a favorite destination, both for Nebraskans as well as visitors from across the United States.

We'd love to hear about your visit to our store. What kinds of licorice did you sample? What's your favorite? Did you meet the "Licorice Ladies"?

Don't be shy . . . we really want to hear from you.

Licorice Cupcakes

Here's an idea for something different: Licorice cupcakes. You can see the recipe here:
The recipe uses Licorice Spice tea, which you can get here. For the licorice pieces on top, I recommend Black Tire Tread, which you can get here. If you prefer organic products, try Tubi's Organic Soft Licorice, which you can get here.

Click here to go back to the main blog page.

Drink Coffee. Eat Licorice.

The Mill has been around long before coffeehouses were “cool.” It had its roots in the mid-70s and moved to its present location in Lincoln’s historic Haymarket in 1987.

Rustic wood floors, exposed brick and comfy armchairs welcome you to “sit a spell” in the warehouse-turned coffeehouse. It’s about the community as well as the coffee. Whether you come with friends or alone, you just feel comfortable there, said co-owner Todd Ogden.

“We have lots of meetings, lots of studying and lots of socializing,” he said. “We have one of the most diverse clienteles of any business that I’ve ever seen.”

Mill employees roast their own coffee and do all the flavoring and blending, focusing on classic European style lattes and cappuccinos. A huge selection of teas, fruit smoothies and cold drinks are also available, as well as a wide selection of pastries and even a few sandwiches.

The Mill is a great place to hang out after visiting Licorice International in Lincoln’s Historic Haymarket. It’s located at 800 P Street and is open Monday-Friday 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 7 a.m. to midnight and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. For more information call 475-5522 or see http://www.millcoffee.com/

Do you like hanging out at the Mill? Share your stories by leaving a comment.

Click here to return to the main blog page.

Taste the Licorice Memories Contest

Do you remember the first time you tasted good, old-fashioned licorice? Who shared the experience with you? What about a special event that happened while you were enjoying licorice? Perhaps a recent memory comes to mind—a moment when you rediscovered this tasty treat.

Now close your eyes and taste those licorice memories again. Then tell us your story in 250 words or less. You could win a gift certificate to Licorice International.

The Taste the Licorice Memories Contest will run from December 1, 2008 – January 31, 2009. Entries will be judged on creativity, originality, relevancy and believability. Contest entries exceeding the 250-word limit will be disqualified.

The contest is open to all US residents of any age. You may submit up to three entries per person.

Three prizes will be awarded:
1st place: $50 gift certificate to Licorice International
2nd place: $25 gift certificate to Licorice International
3rd place: $10 gift certificate to Licorice International

Click here to send us your licorice memories by e-mail (or send to licorice@oakviewresources.com) Be sure to include complete contact information, including complete name, mailing address, telephone (with area code), and e-mail address. We will use this information only to notify the winners.

By submitting your entry to the Taste the Licorice Memories Contest, you attest to the truth of the story.

Don’t forget – The deadline is January 31, 2009.

Read the winning entry for 2008, written by Clancy Quigley of Fort Wayne, Indiana:

Have you ever wished you could reach into a barrel of licorice and keep all you could pull out? Well I lived that dream and remember it with fondness. I loved licorice and at age 76 I still do. When I was a little girl we lived a few blocks from a licorice factory in Dubuque, Iowa. We could smell it cooking. My brothers and I would go there in the early evening (with permission I think) and enter through a side door (again with permission I think). We would hold one brother by his feet and he would go into the barrel head first and gather up the scraps and pieces of licorice that fell off the production line. We would fill our pockets and scoot out the door. My favorite was the solid pipes. We had such fun. My favorite now is tire treads.

For complete rules, click here.

Click here to return to the main blog page.

Licorice Haiku Contest Winner

Congratulations to Ronda, who won the Licorice Haiku Contest. Here’s her winning haiku:

Little Girl Licorice

Thinking of childhood
Slowly melting in my mouth
Pleased to remember

Ronda and her husband buy licorice at Licorice International for their family and for gifts. They give licorice to “just about everybody.” A bag of licorice makes a great thank-you gift or “Welcome to Nebraska” present.

Ronda likes licorice because it’s a natural product without any fat and with very little sugar. Eating licorice is a relaxing way to satisfy her sweet tooth and even can help settle her tummy.

Her favorite is the Panda licorice from Finland because it’s flavored with molasses and not sugar. For something different, she enjoys Danish Heksehyl licorice, a salty licorice that’s black on the outside with a chewy, lighter colored center. And her kids love the Kookaburra strawberry licorice from Australia.

Honorable mention goes to Frederick for the following haiku:

It was licorice
That gave me the best mouth-feel
Taste I ever had

Special recognition for a youth entry goes to Miresa, age 14:

Licorice is good
It is very yummy too!
I like red, not black

Be watching for a new contest on December 1.

Click here to return to the main blog page.

A Licorice Puzzle

A licorice puzzle. Now that’s something different. My daughters, a friend and I recently tried out Licorice International’s new 308-piece jigsaw puzzle featuring a colorful arrangement of their products. I like puzzles with a complex design like this. It's not frustrating to put together, but still remains a challenge. Definitely more fun than a landscape with an immense blue sky or massive amounts of green grass. It would make a great Christmas gift for a licorice lover or anyone who likes puzzles.

Home Grown Jigsaws Custom Puzzle Factory, which created the puzzle for Licorice International, was founded just two years ago by Omaha puzzle enthusiasts Mike and Sharon Swanson. Other puzzles created by the company feature Omaha landmarks, such as the Henry Doorly Zoo and the Union Pacific trains at Kenefick Park and Lauritzen Gardens.

Because the business is currently transitioning from a part-time side business to a full-time operation, it was selected for the Omaha World Herald’s Small Business Makeover series. Experts in several fields are helping the Swansons develop and market their business. You can read the first article in the series here.

To order the licorice puzzle, click here.

Click here to return to the main blog.

Quit Smoking Naturally with Licorice

Anyone who has tried to quit smoking knows how difficult it can be. But help may come from an unlikely source: licorice. Chewing or sucking on licorice root can help in several ways. First, it just helps to have something in your mouth. Also, because licorice is used as a flavoring agent in cigarettes and other tobacco products, the flavor of licorice can help satisfy your cravings. You can purchase licorice root sticks here.

According to Patrick Holford, a British psychologist specializing in nutrition and mental health, licorice also promotes the action of adrenal hormones, which can be helpful in the withdrawal phase when someone quits smoking. Licorice also acts as an expectorant, which helps clear your lungs. If you prefer candy to licorice sticks, you might want to try Panda licorice. Holford recommends Panda licorice, because it is sweetened with molasses rather than sugar. You can purchase Panda licorice here.

Click here to return to the main blog page.

Licorice Haiku Contest Update

Have you been thinking of a licorice haiku? We've extended the deadline for the licorice haiku contest. You now have until Friday, November 21, to finish your haiku.

Remember, haikus are not rhyming poems. Rather they are based on the number of syllables and follow this format:
Line 1: 5 syllables
Line 2: 7 syllables
Line 3: 5 syllables

The only requirement is that your haiku be about licorice. Just send it in an e-mail to licorice@oakviewresources.com The winner receives a $10 gift certificate to Licorice International.

Click here to return to the main blog page.

Kokindjes: A Dutch Licorice Favorite

Are you a black licorice fanatic? Or are you hesitant about this whole black licorice thing,
remembering how much you hated the stuff in your childhood? Believe it or not, no matter which camp you’re in, you may want to try Kokindjes licorice from Holland. At my licorice tasting party, both Judi (my licorice lover friend) and Terri (who claimed not to like black licorice before the party) picked Kokindjes as one of their favorites. Besides the taste, they mentioned the soft texture that doesn’t stick to your teeth and the size (just a small button—perfect for a little bite, but not so much that you feel guilty). Another friend commented that after eating Kokindjes, she found American Twizzlers quite tasteless. It’s worth checking out—both for your own eating and as a gift—maybe even for a non-licorice lover. Click here to purchase Kokindjes.

Click here to return to the main blog page.

A Licorice Tasting Party

My friends say I’m always doing something interesting. They never know quite what to expect. So they probably weren’t surprised when they got an invitation to a licorice tasting party. On a beautiful November afternoon we gathered in my living room to taste various kinds of licorice from Licorice International.

Guests’ opinions on licorice ranged from “I absolutely love it,” to “I like some kinds of licorice” to “I can’t stand the stuff.” Each gave her own perspective to the discussion. The friend in the “I can’t stand the stuff” category found some kinds of licorice she actually liked, and those in the “I absolutely love it” category gave their emphatic opinions as well.

After the tasting, some stayed to put together a licorice puzzle. I gave the rest of the samples to some friends who stopped by the next day. You’ll be hearing from my guests over the next few weeks, as I share their opinions on licorice.

Click here to return to the main blog page.

Eat Licorice. Visit Bad Robot.

Are you looking for a unique gift? Try Bad Robot, a little shop located just down the street from Licorice International in Lincoln’s historic Haymarket District. The little shop is packed with an eclectic mix of items you won’t find anywhere else.
You’ll see everything from home décor, to “goofy stuff to play with” (to quote co-owner Dan Sloan), to upscale kitchen furnishings and bird feeders, to decorative chickens made from recycled plastic bags.

Local artisans contribute handmade jewelry, clothing and handbags. If you want to express your creativity, pick up a paint-it-yourself Munny figurine. Bad Robot is also the exclusive local outlet for Ospop footwear, canvas trainers designed after classic Chinese worker shoes.

And while you’re shopping, enjoy coffee by the cup or purchase from a selection of high-end teas. Bad Robot is just one of many great shops and restaurants you can visit while you’re in the neighborhood, shopping at Licorice International. We’ll be introducing you to more great places through this blog.

More Info: Bad Robot, 105 North 8th Street., Lincoln, Nebraska. (402)438-6137
http://www.thebadrobot.biz/

Click here to return to the main blog page.

Gotta Cough? Try Licorice!

A friend in Australia suffered from post-nasal drip following sinus surgery, leaving him with a sore throat and sputtering cough. He turned to licorice, his favorite comfort food, and was surprised to find it relieved his symptoms.

His experience was not unique. Since the time of Hippocrates, licorice has been used for medicinal purposes. The Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder recommended using it as an expectorant. The Chinese call licorice "gan cao," and they have used it as medicine for years. Culpeper, a 17th century herbalist, wrote that licorice “was a fine medicine for hoarseness.”

So before you reach for the medicine cabinet, try the candy shelf. Licorice candy, lozenges or tea made from licorice root may be all you need to soothe your symptoms.

Make sure that the word “licorice” is listed in the ingredients. Many American products are called licorice, but are really made with anise seed. Licorice from Europe or Australia usually contains real licorice. Two popular kinds sold by Licorice International include the Kokindjes from Holland and the Black Tire Tread from Finland. To soothe a sore throat, try “Hint Mints.” Licorice Spice caffeine free herbal tea is also made with real licorice root, and just tastes good on a chilly evening.


Click here to return to the main blog page.

Mussels in Tomato-Licorice Broth

Imagine making Good and Plenty candies into a gourmet meal. This recipe, from Every Day with Rachel Ray, uses a combination of Good and Plenty candies (available through Licorice International), dry white wine, diced tomatoes, heavy cream, onion and seasonings to create a tangy broth for mussels. For the complete recipe, click here:
Mussles in Tomato-Licorice Broth

Click here to return to the main blog page.