Happy New Year from Your Friends at Licorice International

Happy New Year. We will be closed Friday through Sunday and will reopen on Monday, January 3rd at 9:30 a.m. Stay safe. Hope your year closes on a sweet note. Stop by and visit us anytime at http://www.licoriceinternational.com/ or if you're in Lincoln, visit us in the Haymarket district at 803 Q Street.

Winners of the Gingerbread House Contest with a Twist




Hannah Becker won two prizes for her architectural achievement

Congratulations to Hannah Becker, who won two prizes in the first annual Licorice International Gingerbread House Contest with a Twist.  She was awarded a total of $75 in gift certificates to Licorice International for the People's Choice Award ($25) and First Place Award ($50).

Hannah’s house, “Temporary Elegance,”  was based on a dollhouse she’d owned as a young girl. When Hannah bought the dollhouse, the woman who made it included a small model of the house made out of cardboard. Hannah used the model to make a pattern for the gingerbread house. She used Royal icing to hold the pieces of gingerbread together and buttercream frosting to decorate the house. She decorated it with various candies, including the Sweet Licorice Buttons, Red Licorice Laces and Blue Rasperry Twists, which she purchased at Licorice International. It took her three days to decorate the house. Hannah admits that she isn’t a big fan of black licorice, but she is looking forward to using her gift certificates to purchase other treats from Licorice International, such as Butter Caramels, and trying some of the mints.

Sam & Jane Swanson, tied for First Place with their gingerbread Log Cabin, complete with real licorice root piled up outside to represent the woodpile. Hannah and the Swansons (mother and son) were each awarded a $50 gift certificate to Licorice International.


Gina Henrickson won second place for “Gina’s Dream House" and received a gift certificate for $25. She used the following licorice in her gingerbread house: RJ’s Licorice Allsorts, Assorted Sour Stars, Bridge Mix, Red Licorice Laces, Black Licorice Wheels, and Amarelli Sassolini.


Log Cabin





Hannah working on her house





The house and the model



Gina's Dream House

For an Unusual Treat Try Haribo Grapefruit Candy

Now here's something different: grapefruit candy. New from Licorice International: Grapefruit Gummies. I wasn't sure what to think when I first tried them, but I soon discovered they were addictive. The The Pink Grapefruit Gummies have a touch of tartness, paired with a dusting of sweet sugar, for an unforgettable taste.  For a sweeter, milder taste, try the White Grapefruit Gummies. Made by Haribo, a German company known for excellent candy.

Looking for a gift for Licorice Lovers? How about the Licorice of the Month Club

Do you have a licorice lover on your Christmas list?  How about the Licorice of the Month Club from Licorice International, your source for licorice from around the world. It's a dream come true for black licorice fans. Every month, your loved one will receive two regular size packages of gourmet licorice plus a small sample package.

For the true black licorice fans, choose the Black Licorice of the Month Club. (Pictured above)

For those who like both red and black, choose the Red and Black Licorice of the Month Club (Pictured below).

You may also choose the Sampler Club, in which the recipient receives six samplers, each featuring four kinds of licorice, along with a suprise mini-pack.

Pictures of our Gingerbread Houses for the Contest

The Licorice International retail store in Lincoln Nebraska recently sponsored the first ever "Gingerbread House Contest with a Twist."  The twist? Contestants needed to use at least three types of candy purchased from Licorice International.  If you live in the Lincoln area, stop by to see the houses. We'll be having a special open house on Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., with free coffee and tea, when you will have a chance to vote for your favorite house. 

Don't live in the Lincoln area?  Enjoy the photos below.

Article in Daily Nebraskan: Licorice International hosts holiday gingerbread house contest

"Over the next couple weeks, students will at long last be able to say "home sweet home" as they take delight in gobbling it all down: roof, walls, windows and doors.

"But of course, while students can eat the humble, crumble some homes entered in Licorice International's first-ever gingerbread house contest, they may not. That is, unless they wish to incur the wrath of an all-in-one architect, contractor and builder."

Read the entire article here.

Licorice International is pleased to be mentioned in the Daily Nebraskan newspaper, produced by students at the University of Nebraska.  If you're a student (or if you live in the Lincoln, Nebraska, area), be sure to stop by from December 7-16 and see the great gingerbread houses on display.  We will have a special open house on December 10th all day.

Licorice Spice Tea is the December Giveaway

Drink up happiness!

Research shows that licorice root tea has special compounds that act as natural antidepressants. Women's World magazine (October 26, 2009) reports that licorice tea can raise energy, calm stress, and improve immunity!

Now you can taste a little happiness FREE when you place an order of any size at Licorice International in December.

Licorice tea is flavorful and aromatic . . . a delightful combination of licorice root, cinnamon, organge peel, Chinese star anise, vanilla flavor, sarsaparilla, orange, cinnamon, clove and cardamom flavors.

And now you can sample this sweet, aromatic and flavorful drink FREE when you place an order of any size in December at Licorice International.

Sample teabag will be automatically included with your package. If you send a gift, the gift recipient receives the sample package.

Offer applies to INTERNET AND PHONE ORDERS ONLY. Does not apply to shop purchases.

Click here to order.

This Gingerbread House Uses Six Pounds of Licorice

Check out this video that describes an enormous gingerbread house an Anaheim, California, hotel. It took six pounds of licorice and 25 pounds of gummy bears just to make the stained glass windows.

If you live near Lincoln, Nebraska, stop by the Licorice International Retail store at 803 Q Street between December 7 and 16 to see the gingerbread houses on display for the contest. Each one will use licorice and other candy from Licorice International.

Give a Gift of Gourmet Licorice from Around the World

Gourmet licorice makes a great gift for a licorice lover. The Tour of the World Licorice Gift Basket features 15 different kinds of licorice treats, including a mini International Sampler. Comes in a reusable basket tied with a festive ribbon. Weighs more than 4 lbs.

Click here to see more gourmet licorice gift ideas.

Or visit the Licorice International website to shop for licorice and other sweet treats for the holidays.

Christmas Gift Ideas at Licorice International

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the Licorice International Retail store, located at 803 Q Street in Lincoln, Nebraska. If you live in the area, or you're planning a visit, stop by, view our Christmas decorations, sample the world's best licorice, and check out all the gift ideas we have. While many of the items listed are available only in the retail store, you can order them by calling, 1-800-LICORICE (542-6742), and you can also browse for gourmet licorice and other specialty candies at the Licorice International website.

Check out some of the yummy treats:

Belgian Gourmet Chocolate Candy

Belgian Gourmet Chocolate Pretzels

Harbor Sweets Gourmet Chocolates: Classic Sweet Sloops

Gourmet Caramels from Bequet

Harbor Sweets Assorted Handmade Chocolates

Espresso Mix

Gingerbread Houses at the Licorice International Retail Store

If you live in the Lincoln area, stop by the Licorice International Retail store at 803 Q Street and see a couple of gingerbread houses that Licorice International staff have made.  These are examples of the kind of gingerbread houses you can enter in the Gingerbread House Contest with a Twist. (To register for the contest, come the store before Saturday, November 27, and fill out the form.)

Kleines Fachwerkhaus (small German-style house)

Created by Jena

Licorice used:

• Kenny's Black Licorice Twists (wood frames)
• Katjes-Katzen Ohren (shingles)
• Dutch Peas (sidewalk and embellishments)
• Red Tire Tread (door)
• Licorice Laces (licorice man)
• Panda (licorice man)

Christmas house

Created by Erin

Licorice used:

• Kookaburra Green Apple Twists (rolled out and cut for shingles)
• Kookaburra Raspberry Twists (shutters)
• Cordials (snowman)
• Sweet Licorice Button (snowman hat)
• Licorice Scottie (in front of house)
• Kenny's Green Apple Twists (around pillars, cut crosswise for holly)
• Kenny's Red Licorice Candy Twists (front and back of the house, cut crosswise for bows, around pillars)

Close-up of Christmas House

Cordial Quartet from Koppers Chocolate Makes Great Gift or Holiday Sampler

Just in time for the Holidays: A quartet of gourmet chocolates in a sampler container. Weighing in at a little over a pound, this sampler contains four of the most popular cordials made by Koppers Chocolate. If you're looking for gourmet candy to give as a gift or share with guests during the Holidays, you'll love the Cordial Quartet, available from Licorice International.

The sampler comes with the following flavors:

• Cappuccino: Coffee flavored liquid centers dipped into a creamy white couveture. The coffee taste will please coffee lovers, but won't overwhelm those who don't care for coffee.
• Sambuca: Dark chocolate surrounds a surprise anise-flavored center.
• Creme Brulee: Vanilla and burned sugar flavors remind you of creme brulee dessert.
• Amaretto: Dark chocolate surrounds a surprise burst of amaretto flavored liquid.

Taste one and you'll be hooked.

Click here to order.

Licorice Ladies Featured on Lance's Journal on Channel 10/11

Are you lover of licorice? If so, you know just how hard it is to find the good stuff. But the encouraging news is, the largest selection of licorice in the United States can be found in Lincoln's Historic Haymarket.

That's how "Lance's Journal" on Lincoln's channel 10/11 started last night. Lance featured Ardith and Elizabeth, "The Licorice Ladies" in Lincoln, Nebraska. Watch the video here. 

Veteran's Day: Encourage the Troops Overseas with a Gift of Licorice

Veteran's Day is coming November 11th. Say "Thanks" to the men and women who are serving in our country. Send a box of licorice twists to your loved one, or we can select from our list of chaplains and mail a package with your personal message of encouragement.

There's nothing like something sweet to brighten the soldiers' day and let them know you're thinking of them. Recently we received this note from the mother of a solder:

My son just got his box of licorice, which was sent to him in Afghanistan. He said his Platoon is having fun tasting all the different flavors.Thanks again for sending the packages to the troops. You guys are awesome....

For just $35 you can send an 8-pound box of licorice to the troops, or you can send a 12-pound box for only $50. Click here for more information.

Gingerbread House Contest with a Twist from Licorice International in Lincoln, Nebraska

Photo by Sugar Daze (www.flickr.com)

Molasses, ginger, flour, baking soda and candy from Licorice International are a few of the ingredients you’ll need for the first ever Licorice International Gingerbread House Contest. Licorice International gift cards will be awarded to first ($50), second ($25), and third ($15) place winners.  A “People’s Choice” prize will also be awarded ($25). There is no registration fee; however, you must register by November 27th.

The rules are simple:

• Everything (except the base) must be edible.
• Three (3) different types of candy from Licorice International must be incorporated into the design.
• Entries cannot be larger than 10 inches deep and 15 inches wide. Height is limited to 13 inches. 
• Entries will be judged on creativity and craftsmanship. 
• Entries must be personally delivered (not shipped) to Licorice International by Monday, December 6th.
• Winners will be announced on Friday, December 17th and entries may be picked up any time after that.

Please register by Saturday, November 27th at Licorice International, 803 Q Street, Suite 300, Lincoln, NE 68508. For more information call (402) 488.2230 or email licoricenews@licoriceinternational.com.

Free Kookaburra Licorice with your order from Licorice International

During November, you can receive a free sample pack of (4) Kookaburra favorites from Licorice International: Black Licorice, Strawberry,  Mango and Green Apple Twists. Kookaburra licorice is made in Australia, using a special heating and cooling process that gives it an extremely soft texture. The Black Licorice flavor uses real licorice extract for an outstanding flavor, and the Strawberry, Mango and Green Apple Twists have authentic fruit flavors.

Place an online order of any size at Licorice International by November 30th, and the sample package will be sent to the same location as the order. If you send a gift, the gift recipient receives the sample package.

Sample packages are shipped to the same location as the order. If you send a gift, the gift recipient receives the sample package. Offer applies to INTERNET AND PHONE ORDERS ONLY. Does not apply to shop purchases.

Click here to order now. Treat yourself to the world's best licorice. (Makes great gifts too.)

Caramel Apple Crumble Pie Recipe by Schy's Pies for Peace

Schy, owner of Schy's Pies for Peace, makes and sells pies in Lincoln, Nebraska, giving a portion of her earnings to non-profit organizations. She seeks to use healthy, locally grown ingredients as much as possible. She created this recipe for Caramel Apple Pie, using Butter Caramels, which are available from Licorice International.  She made this recipe without any other sweeteners besides the Butter Caramels, except for a little bit of brown sugar in the crumb topping. Butter Caramels have an excellent quality of melting, she said, and their excellent flavor give this pie a gourmet taste.  

Ingredients for whole wheat pie crust:

• 2 ½ cups organic whole wheat pastry flour
• 8 tablespoons cold Earth Balance Buttery Sticks or local organic sweet cream butter
• Pinch of sea salt
• 4-5 tablespoons of ice water

Directions for Pie Crust:
The key to getting the flakiest crust as possible is using cold ingredients and cold equipment. An hour or so before starting the baking process, put the mixing bowl, flour, Buttery Sticks, and pasty blender all in the freezer. Place the flour in a large mixing bowl that you will be able to get both of your hands into while you mix the dough. Add the pinch of sea salt to flour and mix well by tossing with your hands. Cut up the Buttery Sticks into small pieces and use the pastry blender to cut the shortening into the dry ingredients until the mixture is well blended coarsely together. Add ice water to the mixture and begin mixing the dough and water together with your hands. Do not overwork the dough; it will make the crust tough. Form the dough into a ball and place in freezer while you make the pie filling. 

When you are ready to assemble the pie, lightly dust flour on two 16-inch pieces of wax paper and place the ball of dough in the middle with the floured sides of the wax paper touching each other. Roll the dough out with a rolling pin into a 13-inch in diameter circle. Once the crust is rolled out, remove the top layer of wax paper and invert the pie crust into the center of the pie pan. Once it is in the pan, remove the 2nd piece of wax paper and press the pastry into the pan. Cut the excess edges off with a sharp knife and create a design with the crust edge. (This can be done with your fingers or using a fork.) Rolling out a perfect pie crust, of course, is easier said than done, but with some practice and viewing of Martha Stewart on youtube.com, you will be a pro in no time.

Ingredients for crumb topping:

• 1 cup organic unbleached flour
• ¾ cup organic brown sugar
• 4 tablespoons organic sweet cream butter
• 3 tablespoons organic cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons ground organic ginger powder

Directions for crumb topping:

Put the flour, sugar and spices in a bowl and cut the butter into small pieces. Place the butter in the bowl with the other ingredients and use your pastry blender to cut the butter into the dry ingredients. Work the mixture until small crumbles form and the butter is fully mixed in.

Equipment Needed:

wax paper, pastry blender, rolling pin,  mixing bowl, sharp knife, 9 inch glass pie plate

Ingredients for Caramel Apple Crumble Pie

• 1 premade whole wheat crust
• 2 cups crumb topping
• 6-8 local apples (I prefer to bake with Granny Smiths or Jonagolds)
• 10 butter caramels cut up into small pieces
• 3 Tbsp. organic lemon juice
• 3 Tbsp. cinnamon
• 2 Tbsp. arrowroot powder or cornstarch

Instructions for Caramel Apple Crumble Pie
First, preheat your oven to 375 and roll out crust. After you have crust rolled out and in the pie pan, place cut up caramels in the bottom of the crust. Next peel, core, and slice apples into 1 inch pieces and immediately cover in lemon juice to keep from turning brown. Next add cinnamon and cornstarch to mixture and let sit for 5 minutes.Pour the apple mixture over the caramels and place in the oven for 20 minutes without crumb topping. After 20 minutes pull the pie out of the oven and check to see that the caramel has fully melted around the apples. If so, sprinkle the crumb topping over everything. Turn your oven down to 350 and bake for an additional 30 minutes.  The crust will be a dark shade of brown and the caramel will bubble up a little through the crumb topping when the pie is finished baking. Remove pie from the oven and let cool. Enjoy this spectacular autumn treat! 

Schy works as  a women's advocate at the Friendship home, a shelter for abused women and children. During the Celebration of Motherhood Support Group at the Friendship Home, Schy had the women and children make pies together using this recipe.  

For more information about Schy's Pies for Peace, see her Facebook Page.

How to Make a Gingerbread House for Halloween using Licorice

A Halloween Gingerbread House? 

Why not? And while you're at it, why not make it a haunted gingerbread house with spooky lights shining out the windows? And of course, you'll need to use lots of licorice to decorate your haunted house.



That's what Erin, an employee at Licorice International, made this year. She used regular gingerbread pieces for the body, along with thick pretzel sticks to help support it. For a creepy looking roof, she used homemade waffle cones. To glue the pieces together, she melted sugar in a saucepan over medium heat until it turned a brownish color (330 degrees F). She simply dipped the ends in and stuck them together. Then she used the leftover sugar mixture to make dark "glass" for the windows. After putting the house together, she placed it on a tray and sprinkled crumbled Oreos around to look like dirt. (No grass in this yard.) You can add some gummy worms to the "dirt" if you wish.

Then came the fun: decorating. Erin used dipping chocolate to apply candy to the haunted house, emphasizing creepy instead of colorful. She shared the following tips, using mostly licorice from Licorice International (click on the name of the licorice to order):

Use Black Licorice Laces to wind around posts, trees, anywhere you wish. You can also use them for spider legs or witch hair.

When you unroll Black Licorice Wheels, you get double laces, which make spooky-looking windows and trim for your house.

Kenny's Black Licorice Twists work well for porch rails and make great haunted trees (just untwist the top to make branches). Then cut a Licorice Twist crosswise to make tiny spiders.

Pontefract Cakes and Batzen both work well for spider bodies.

Make tiny ghosts out of Licorice Chalk.

Beehive Honey Licorice makes a beehive on the front porch. "Instead of flowers, this house has a beehive," Erin said.

Cut a piece of Halva Licorice Bar into a doormat.

Decorate the house with Katjes Kinder (cats) and Gustaf's Platinum Select Sweet, which are shaped like goblins and witches.

To add some autumn colors, use candy corn and Reece's pieces.

Put electric lights inside for a spooky glow.

Licorice and Other Gourmet Candies for Trick or Treaters

This year, why not introduce the neighborhood kids to the great old fashioned taste of licorice?  Order from Licorice International by October 21 to make sure you get your candy in time for Halloween. Here are some wrapped licorice treats that would work great for Halloween:

Black Pipes by Leaf (from Finland). Remember buying these at the corner candy store? These pipes come individually wrapped and have that old-fashioned taste.
Click here for a box of 10
Click here for a box of 60.

Creamy Licorice Toffee from Ireland has a hint of toffee taste, making it an excellent introduction to licorice, even for those who are not sure about trying real licorice. The wonderful chewy texture makes this irresistible.
Click here for a 1/2-lb bag.
Click here for a 5-pound bag (approx. 300 pieces)
Click here for a 20-pound case (approx. 1200 pieces!)

Black Taffy. Similar to the old-fashioned Black Jack Taffy, this pink, white and black colored candy combines the flavors of anise and licorice in a soft, chewy treat.
Click here for a 1/2-pound bag.

Black Licorice Caramels. A delightful combination of chewy caramel and licorice flavor is perfect for Halloween.
Click here for a 1/4-pound bag. (Buy several to make sure you have enough.)

Licorice Starlight Mints. Also known as Licorice Pinwheels, these hard, round mints combine licorice and mint flavors for a great after-dinner taste.
Click here for a 1/2-pound bag.


Not quite courageous enough to give out licorice on Halloween?  How about these gourmet candies from Licorice International:

Butter Caramels You've got to taste these creamy butter caramels . . . there are no words to describe how good they are. Individually wrapped pieces.
Click here for a 1/4-pound bag. (Buy several to make sure you have enough.)

Glitterrati Mint Medley. This eye-catching, one-of-a-kind assortment is composed of SIX deliciously different mint candies: fourr scrumptious mint combinations (butter-mint, vanilla-mint, chocolate-mint and cinnamon-mint), plus a superb peppermint and the Chipurnoi signature mint. Only 3 calories in each piece.
Click here for a 1/4-pound package.

Licorice Ideas for Halloween Parties and Costumes

Halloween is coming, and what better way to celebrate than with licorice!  Did you know you can get gourmet licorice in some fun shapes for Halloween from Licorice International on-line? Order by October 21 to ensure delivery by Halloween. Here are some ideas for decorating and costumes.

Licorice Cats: These black cats won't scare you or bring you bad luck--just lots of real licorice flavor. Use them to decorate cookies, cupcakes or full-size cakes. Or just set them out in a bowl for munching. Available in 1/2 pound, 2.2 pound, or 6.6 pound packages

Black Licorice Laces: Need some whiskers for your black cat cake? How about some legs for your spider cupcakes? Mice ears? Just a black edge around a Halloween dessert? The possibilities are endless.  Licorice International sells Black Licorice Laces from Finland that taste amazing. Available in 4 ounce or 2 lb. packages.

Black Licorice Pipes: Does your Halloween costume need a pipe?  Just for fun, try an old-fashioned black licorice pipe. Made in Finland, home of some of the best licorice in the world, these pipes are so tasty, that you might want to bring along some extra to share. They're individually wrapped too. Available in boxes of 10 or boxes of 60.