Hobbits visit Licorice International for Hobbit Day September 22



Three Merry Hobbits



Did you know that September 22 is Hobbit Day?  It's the birthday of both Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, beloved hobbits of the Lord of the Rings.



Sure enough on September 22, we had three visitors from Middle Earth at the Licorice International Retail Store in Lincoln, Nebraska.  No, it wasn't Bilbo and Frodo. (They were undoubtedly busy celebrating their birthdays with second breakfast or maybe third lunch.) But they sent these three merry hobbits as their representatives.



The three hobbits enjoyed tasting licorice from all over the world. 



Red Licorice Pipes - YUM!

Because hobbits are fond of pipes, they were especially excited to find licorice pipes and enjoyed chewing on them as they walked through the streets of Lincoln's Haymarket after their visit.



You can purchase both red and black pipes at our retail store, located at 803 Q Street in Lincoln. You can purchase black licorice pipes on-line here. That way you can be ready to celebrate Hobbit Day next year - or any time you feel like remembering Bilbo and Frodo.



You can see the flags of the countries where our licorice comes from



Wool Wax: Healing Skin the Natural Way

Winter is coming, and that means chapped skin. Many commercial lotions and cremes contain man-made chemicals that do more harm than good.  But the licorice ladies have discovered a different kind of creme called Wool Wax. So, even though Licorice International specializes in gourmet licorice from around the world, they started selling Wool Wax Creme in their retail store, where it became so popular that they decided to make it available on their website as well.

Wool Wax Creme is made with lanolin, a natural produced by-product of wool. It's highly moisturizing without being sticky or oily. Use it on your hands, feet, elbows -- anywhere you have dry skin. It's perfect for professionals who work with tools, crafters and medical professionals, as well as anyone who struggles with dry skin.

Because you only to use a small amount, one 9-ounce tub will last forever. Wool Wax is also available in a 2-ounce travel tub or a 4-ounce tube.

Click here to order Wool Wax from Licorice International.  And while you're ordering, treat yourself to the world's best licorice.

Gourmet Pecan Preserves from San Saba, Texas, Now Available from Licorice International

Pecan Preserves from the Great San Saba River Pecan Company in Texas combine unique flavors and use the finest fruit and just enough sugar to enchance the essential goodness of the fruit. When the "Licorice Ladies" tasted these preserves at the Fancy Foods Show in New York City this summer, they just knew they had to provide some for their customers. They recently started selling three varieites of these amazing pecan preserves through the Licorice International website and at the retail store in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Cranberry, Chili & Pecan Preserves combine the great taste of pecan with naturally spicy chili peppers and tangy cranberries. Works great as a condiment for chicken salad and turkey sandwiches.

If you like a sweeter taste, try the Raspberry Pecan Preserves, which use the finest of sweet raspberries. Spread on toast, biscuits, pancakes or waffles. Or layer with yogurt and top with granola for a healthy and delicious parfait.

Want to make a perfect pecan pie every time?  Start with Pecan Pie in a Jar, add eggs and butter, pour into a prepared pie shell and bake. One jar makes two regular 9 inch pies or one 9 inch deep dish. Instructions are included on the lid.

Get Free Kookaburra Black Licorice with your Order from Licorice International

Kookaburra Black Licorice Twists are the top seller at Licorice International, and one taste will tell you why.  This soft, chewy licorice is made with the finest licorice extract, giving it the wonderful rich flavor of old fashioned licorice.

If you're a licorice lover, you'll love Kookaburra Black Licorice Twists from Australia.

And during the month of September, you can sample Kookaburra licorice for free. Simply place an order for any amount at Licorice International, and you will automatically receive a sample package of Kookaburra Black Licorice with your order.

Click here for more information on this offer.

Get a Ten Percent Discount at Licorice International

Do you like licorice?  From now through September 30 you can get a discount of 10 percent on your licorice order at Licorice International (www.licoriceinternational.com)  Just use the code JS10 at checkout to claim your discount. And enjoy the world's best licorice.

Licorice Makes a Great Gift for Grandparents Day

Grandparents Day is coming up September 12. Instead of another tie or bottle of perfume, why not give them a tasty, nostalgic treat: licorice!

Licorice Soft Chews

Licorice International offers 160 varieties of licorice from all over the world. If your grandparent prefers a softer, easier-to-chew treat, consider Licorice Soft Chews. They even come in a five pound bag.  They're Kosher, gluten free, nut free, egg free, transfat free, dairy free and gelatin free. Panda Licorice is a popular choice, because it's made from natural ingredients. Or browse the best sellers.

Black Anise Frappes

If your loved one has high blood pressure, they should be careful not to consume too much real licorice, as real licorice, made from the licorice root may raise blood pressure.  However, anise is safe for people with high blood pressure. Licorice Babies, Anise Bears, or the new Black Anise Frappes.

If you want to give a gift that your grandparent will love all year long, try the Licorice of the Month Club. Your loved one will receive a gift of licorice in the mail each month.

Chef Judy Shares Ten Things She Learned about Licorice and Licorice International

Licorice Ladies Ardith and Elizabeth were on the Judy ala Carte radio program Saturday. We had a delightlful time chatting about the Fancy Food show we went to, licorice (of course), and other new products we have available both on-line and at our retail store. 

Afterwards Judy shared ten things she learned about licorice and Licorice International.  Click here to read her blog.

Win Free Jelly Cubes During Licorice International's Live Broadcast

Tomorrow (Saturday, August 28), you have a chance to win free Jelly Cubes from Licorice International. These chewy gumdrop cubes come in three varieties: Black Licorice, Assorted Fruit Flavors, and Anise.

Elizabeth and Ardith, owners of Licorice International, will be featured on the Judy ala Carte radio program at 1 p.m. Central Time on KFOR 1240AM in Lincoln or http://www.kfor1240.com/

Tune in to learn all about licorice and gives us a call with your questions or comments about licorice.  You may win a free package of Jully Cubes.

Jelly Cubes are availalbe at the Licorice International Retail Store, located at 803 Q Street in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Licorice Ladies to be On Judy Ala Carte Radio Program

From left: Ardith and Elizabeth

Elizabeth and Ardith, co-owners of Licorice International, will be featured on the Judy ala Carte radio program this Saturday, August 28. No matter where you live, you can tune in at http://www.kfor1240.com/ at 1 p.m. Central Time to hear the live interview. Learn more about licorice, the new products offered by Licorice International, and the incredible business the "licorice ladies" have grown. You'll have a chance to ask Elizabeth and Ardith a question about licorice.

Judy ala Carte

If you're in Lincoln, be sure to stop by the store at 803 Q Street (entrance on 8th street) to sample licorice from around the world.  And don't forget to tune in to KFOR-1240 AM to hear the interview  between 1 and 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Australia, Land of Licorice, Kookaburra Licorice from Kogarah, NSW

Australia is not often thought of as the land of licorice, but it's true.  Though it can't claim to have the most per capita consumption of the sweet black treat (Holland has that honor), the Aussies love their licorice. Australian licorice is known for its soft, chewy texture. And the country exports licorice to America in the Kookaburra brand, which is Licorice International's biggest seller.

Kookaburra licorice is made in the small town of Kogarah, a suburb of Sydney, in New South Wales. A delightful blend of old and new, Kogarah was established in the early 1800s.

Licorice International's two best selling kinds of Kookaburra licorice are Kookaburra Black Twists and Kookaburra Strawberry Twists. You can see all the kinds of Kookaburra that Licorice International sells here.

Kogarah Greek Orthodox Church, J. Bar

School of the arts, built in 1887, photo by J. Bar

St. George Bank, photo by J. Bar

Glacia IceBox Pure Arctic Spring Water Available at Licorice International in Lincoln, Nebraska

I'm not normally a fan of bottled water, but IceBox changed my mind. There are so many reasons to love this water:

1. It tastes terrific.  Most bottled water tastes flat because it's had much of the minerals removed. Glacia IceBox is pure arctic spring water from Norway. It's better than any water I've ever tasted. It makes me feel like I'm kayaking in a Norwegian fjord.

2. It's good for you. IceBox Water is packaged at the Rustad Spring in Norway, located in a perfect geological area with the best layering of clay, coal, limestone and sand. Rain water from more than 100 years ago percolated through the various layers, where it was filtered, cleansed and enriched with naturally occurring minerals before reaching the spring. Because it's packaged in a box instead of plastic, that means no harmful chemical from plastic leach into the water.

3. It's good for the earth. Ice Box is called "box" for a reason. The water comes in a box made primarily from biodegradable recyclable cardboard. In addition, the IceBox package takes up less space than that occupied by same amount of plastic bottles it replaces. And the Carbon Footprint is considerably lower than that of plastic bottles. Be sure to recycle the box when you are finished.

Licorice International is the distributor of Glacia IceBox pure arctic spring water. The water is available at the Licorice International retail store, located at 803 Q Street in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Licorice International Retail Store Re-Opens

The Licorice International retail store will re-open on Friday, August 6, 2010, after being closed for a week due to damage in the building. We're happy to report that there was minimal damage to our store, and we will continue to provide great tasting gourmet licorice from around the world.

Licorice International Retail Store Sustains Minimal Damage, Plans to Reopen Soon

The road was closed in front of the store.

On July 29, 2010, the Haymarket Theatre building, where the Licorice International retail store is housed, sustained considerable damage when a support beam cracked under a roofing crew. A broken sprinkler pipe further damaged parts of the building. Fortunately no one was hurt, and the Licorice International Retail store sustained virtually no damage.

Today (August 4), employees returned to the building, as it has been determined to be safe. On-line orders are being shipped. We apologize for any delays.

Gravel has been removed.

Local folks have been stopping by and asking what's going on. We are happy to report that we plan to reopen the retail store as soon as we can. At this point we are just waiting for the final approval from the city. Watch the blog or our Facebook page for updates.

The Licorice International retail store will open soon.

Get Free Good and Plenty Licorice with Your Order

Remember the Good and Plenty licorice you bought as a kid?  If you're like me, you bought it from a corner grocery, and it came in a great little box. There was nothing quite like those chewy licorice bits coated in sweet pink and white candy shells.

Well, those wonderful pink-and-white candies are still around. You can taste them again when you place an on-line order of any size with Licorice International during the month of August 2010. With every order placed during the month, you will receive a sample package of Good and Plenty absolutely free.

Customers tell us ours are the freshest Good and Plenty they've ever tasted. And you'll be amazed at the variety of licorice and other candy available at Licorice International.

Click here to shop for licorice from Licorice International.
Click here for more information on this offer.

This baby loves Dubbel Zout (double salt) black licorice from Holland

Dubbel Zout (double salt) black licorice from Holland has a unique salty taste that may take some getting used to.  Some people enjoy giving Dubbel Zout to their friends, just to see their reaction, and some enjoy videotaping the faces people make when tasting the salty candy.

Baby Maggie loves Dubbel Zout!  There's nothing like a baby's reaction to candy.  Watch it here:



If you want to try Dubbel Zout for yourself (or if you want to give it to your friends to see their reaction), click here to order.

What about you?  Are you a Dubbel Zout lover, or is the salty taste too much for you?  Leave a comment to tell us about it.

Special Olympics Brings Thousands to Lincoln - and Licorice International

What a week! From July 17-24 Lincoln, Nebraska, hosted the 2010 Special Olympics USA National Games. Thousands of athletes, family members, coaches, volunteers and fans participated in the event, which happens every four years in different U.S. cities. Lincoln is known for its kind hospitality and friendly people. When the visitors weren't busy with the games, they kept busy exploring Lincoln. Many discovered an amazing little store in the heart of Lincoln's Haymarket District - Licorice International, located at 8th and Q Streets.

This group from Missouri kept coming back and buying more.  Each time they sampled different kinds of licorice and walked out with a bagfull.

A woman from Florida is not a fan of licorice, but she bought an armload of black licorice for her father, a licorice lover. She also bought a package of Kenny's Pina Colada Licorice Candy Twists for herself.

This couple came from Michigan. Their daughter plays basketball in the Special Olympics. They bought Finnish Strawberry Bites and  RJ's Licorice Allsorts.

A group from Minnesota loved sampling the many kinds of licorice. These two were pleasantly suprised at how much they enjoyed the mildly salty taste of Salmiak Rocks Licorice from Holland. They ended up buying a package, along with several other tasty treats.

After they return home, they can continue to buy great gourmet licorice from the Licorice International Website (http://www.licoriceinternational.com/)

New Licorice of the Month Club: Licorice Samplers

I can't tell you how many times we've been asked to provide a sample of all the different types of licorice that we offer.

We mulled over various ways to fulfill this request and finally came up with a plan. We've recreated the Licorice Sampler of the Month Club. 

I think a lot of people will love our all new "Licorice Sampler of the Month" club. 

For years, Licorice International has offered a one-of-a-kind "Licorice of the Month" Club." During the past five years, hundreds of licorice lovers have enjoyed receiving a package of licorice treats in the mail each month. But now we're bringing licorice lovers an all new club featuring six mini samplers, sent automatically once a month, plus a surprise mini pack.

It's a great way to try some awesome licorice you may not have thought of before, such as Irish Licorice Toffee, Dutch Licorice Chalk or Salmiak Rocks (with just a touch of salt).

These samplers are only available in this combination through the Sampler of the Month Club. Each sampler weighs approximately 1 lb, 4 oz. or more.

As an introductory offer, you get $15 off the retail price.  The Licorice Sampler makes a great gift. Or just treat yourself to a monthly surprise in the mail.

Click here for more information on the Licorice Sampler Club.

Surprises hide in Nebraska - Including Licorice International in Lincoln's Haymarket

When Jennifer Walker, a food and entertainment blogger, recently visited Lincoln, Nebraska, she found some nice suprises, including Lincoln's Historic Haymarket district, where she stumbled upon Licorice International, a store she just "had to take a look at."  Like most tourists, she couldn't believe there could be a whole store dedicated to licorice, but sure enough, there it was in the heart of the Heartland: more than 150 varieties of licorice from 13 different countries. She enjoyed tasting the Kookaburra Strawberry Twist from Australia, but really got excited when she spotted licorice shaped like monkeys. Here's how she described the experience:

A squeal might have escaped my lips. I was even a bit giddy at the possibility of tasting one (turns out most of the items are available to taste if you but ask). The ears and such are traditional black licorice but the yellow muzzle? It’s banana flavored! And with a texture that reminds you of circus peanuts in the best possible way. Even though the Dutch Ape Head licorice only came in 1 lb bags, I had to buy them if only for the novelty factor. Imagine my surprise when we got home and found them utterly addictive.

You can read the rest of her post here.

Licorice Ladies Attend 2010 Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City

The Licorice Ladies, Ardith and Elizabeth, enjoyed the 2010 Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City, where they sampled some delightful treats, including some great new products they plan to make available through Licorice International.  Be watching the website for new items.

Ardith's sister-in-law Gina sampling some Mexican liquor.

While they were there, the Licorice Ladies got to do a bit of sight seeing, including St. Patrick's Cathedral, the World Financial Center, Ground Zero, and the Statue of Liberty.

Click here for more pictures of their trip.

Lincoln Welcomes Special Olympics Athletes July 18-23 - Come Taste Some Licorice

Lincoln, Nebraska, will host the Special Olympics 2010 USA National Games, July 18-23, 2010. We're proud of all the athletes and their families. Welcome to Lincoln! We hope you enjoy your stay here.

While you're in town, be sure to stop by Licorice International, located in the Historic Haymarket District, at 803 Q Street, Suite 300 (right next to the From Nebraska store). (Click here for a map.) Our regular hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Stop in and see the wide variety of licorice and other treats we have for sale. Interested in trying a new kind of licorice or candy? Ask for a free sample. Our clerks are happy to help you. Check out the latest specials. Licorice International is a popular spot for visitors to Lincoln, and we hope you come and see us while you're in town.

Free Sample of Wiley Wallaby Australian-Style Gourmet Red Licorice

Place an order of any size at Licorice International and you'll receive a FREE sample package of ALL NEW Wiley Wallaby Australian-Style Gourmet Red Licorice.

Wiley Wallaby is "Soft"!

Wiley Wallaby is "Chewy"!

Wiley Wallaby is Full of Flavor and Delicious!

Wiley Wallaby Gourmet Red Licorice is made in the style of Australian Soft Gourmet Liquorice that everyone will enjoy!

Each piece is approximately 5/8" in diameter and 2" in length.

You can get a sample package of Wiley Wallaby red licorice twists with your order of any size at no extra charge.

Your sample package is ABSOLUTELY FREE—with your order of any size. (No minimum required.)

Order today! And treat yourself to the world’s best licorice.

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.

Pictured on this page is a full-size package (10 oz.) Available at the INTRODUCTORY PRICE OF $4.50. Click here to order Wiley Wallaby now.

Free Shipping from Licorice International

From now through July 5th, get Free Ground Shipping on orders of $50 or more from Licorice International. Order by July 5th to take advantage of this offer.
See link for details:
https://www.licoriceinternational.com/licorice/pc/viewcontent.asp?idpage=4

Licorice Treats for the Troops - See What We're Sending.

Wow!  This is what we're sending to soldiers overseas through our Treats for the Troops program. So far we've shipped over a thousand pounds of licorice candy twists to chaplains and individual soldiers in our Armed Forces.

THANK YOU so much for helping us bring a bit of joy to those serving our country.

For just $50, you can send a 12-pound package like this to an individual soldier or a chaplain, who will distribute it amongst the soldiers. This includes shipping and is a discount of $24.50 over list price. For $35 you can send an 8 pound box.

Click here for more information on Treats for the Troops.

Licorice International Photo Contest: Summer Fun with Licorice

What are you doing for fun this summer? Send us a photo of yourself or someone else enjoying licorice while participating in a favorite summer activity, and you may win a $15 or $25 gift certificate to Licorice International. (http://www.licoriceinternational.com/)

Remember, licorice is perfect for summertime fun because it's low fat and won't melt in the heat. It's easy to slip a package of licorice in your beach bag or backpack before you head outside, and the sweet taste will give you just the right pick-me-up snack. Licorice International offers more than 160 kinds of licorice and other sweets to choose from.

You might want to pose in front of a landmark while on vacation or take a picture at a ballgame or in a state park. Whatever you do for fun, send us a photo (and be sure to include licorice in the photo).  Simply send it as a photo attachment to licorice@oakviewresources.com or attach it to a wall post on Licorice International's Facebook page. Click here to become a fan of Licorice International on Facebook.

You will have until August 31, 2010, to submit your photos.  Good luck and have fun!

NOTE: Photos will be judged on originality, interest and composition. The contest is open to all ages, but you must be a U.S. resident. Employees of Licorice International are not eligible to enter. Each individual may enter up to three photos.

Click here to shop for gourmet licorice at Licorice International's website.

Cool Contests,

Great Prizes at

Contest Alley

Red, White and Blue Licorice (with emphasis on Red)

Independence Day is a great time to enjoy licorice. Licorice International offers red licorice and other red treats to make your Fourth of July festive. Combine with Kenny's Pina Colada and Blue Raspberry Twists for a patriotic display. Pictured here are:
Decaf Licorice Coffee
Australian Strawberry Kookaburra Twists
Australian Raspberry Kookaburra Twists
Red Laces
Strawberry Broadway Rolls
Haribo Strawberry Wheels
Cinnamon Lava Balls
Red Sampler
Original Cherry Chews
Red Pipes by Leaf
Red Tire Tread
Kenny's Red Raspberry Twists
Australian Style Red Licorice

Licorice is Awesome: Two Key Advantages of Being a Black Licorice (or Real Licorice) Fan

A recent article on licorice on the “boing boing” website listed the following two key advantages of black licorice:

It tends to pack enough of a flavor punch that you aren't going to sit down and eat a pound of the stuff, saving you calories and money, while still supplying a junk food fix.

You usually don't have to share. In fact, you can offer, and everybody will turn you down, so you still look like a good person even though you're really being a giant, selfish candy hoarder.

So far the article has generated more than a hundred comments about licorice. Several people agreed that the best part about liking licorice is that you don’t have to share, although others commented that they did have to share because more and more people are realizing how great licorice is.

Here are some of the other advantages that people mentioned:

• Not too sweet
• Settles stomach
• Acts as a diuretic
• Has antiviral qualities
• Helps quit smoking

You can read the entire article here.

 What about you?  Do you love licorice?  Why?  What are the main advantages?

Red, White & Blue Licorice for July 4th

Show your patriotic spirit by serving Kenny's licorice sticks in cherry (red), pina colada (white) and blue raspberry (blue) flavors. Use it to decorate cakes, cut it up and add color to your trail mix, or just munch on it while watching the fireworks.  You can even use it as a straw.

Licorice of any variety makes the perfect summertime treat for many reasons:

It doesn't melt in the heat

It's low fat (important when thinking about fitting into that swimming suit)

It's not salty, which means you don't get thirsty after eating it.

Click here to order Kenny's licorice sticks.

Click here to shop for licorice from 14 different countries.

Ferret Licorice Attack Video

Combine one stick of red licorice, one ferret, and one slippery wood floor, and what do you get? A licorice attack! Watch this fun video. No ferrets were harmed in the making of this video, but one certainly had a lot of fun eating licorice. Oh, and the dogs seemed to enjoy looking on too.

(NOTE: We do not promote feeding licorice to your pets on a regular basis; we just thought this was a fun video to share.)

Click here to order licorice sticks in many flavors, including some you might not expect.

Sample Wiley Wallaby Australian-Style Licorice Free with your Licorice International Order

Now you can sample ALL NEW Wiley Wallaby Australian-Style Licorice Twists (made in America) with a purchase of any size from Licorice International.

Wiley Wallaby is "Soft"!

Wiley Wallaby is "Chewy"!

Wiley Wallaby is Full of Flavor and Delicious!

Wiley Wallaby Gourmet Black is an Australian Style Soft Gourmet Liquorice that everyone will enjoy!

Each piece is approximately 5/8" in diameter and 2" in length.

We will send a sample package of Wiley Wallaby black licorice twists with your order of any size at no extra charge.

Your sample package is ABSOLUTELY FREE—with your order of any size. (No minimum required.)

Order today! And treat yourself to the world’s best licorice.

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.

Pictured on this page is a full-size package (10 oz.) Available at the INTRODUCTORY PRICE OF $4.50. Click here to order Wiley Wallaby now.  Click here to shop for gourmet licorice from Licorice International.

A Refreshing Summer Treat - Licorice Iced Tea

Are you looking for something different for a summer thirst-quencher? Try making iced tea out of Licorice Spice teabags, which are available in bulk here. The sweet, spicy flavors of licorice and spice give this iced tea an unexpected taste.  Make it plain for a caffeine-free treat or mix it with black tea, giving a zip to ordinary iced tea.

Simply brew a pot of tea, add sugar or honey (if desired) and pour over ice. You may also make sun tea by steeping tea bags in a jar of water set out in the sun, then refrigerate or pour over ice.

An easy way to make iced tea is simply to put the tea bags into a pitcher of cold water and leave in the refrigerator for several hours. This produces a slightly weaker tea, so you may need to use more tea bags.

Enjoy!

Memories of Grandpa and Licorice - Thoughts for Father's Day

Father's Day is coming, and what better time to reflect on memories, both of your father and your grandfather.  Often something as simple as the old fashioned taste of licorice can bring back a memory.  We asked people to share their licorice memories for a book we're compiling.  It was no surprise that lots of those memories had to do with grandparents.  Here are a couple "grandpa" memories:

    

     Oh my gosh! It seems like it was another world, so quiet and easy. In the late 1960’s on a steamy summer afternoon in LaMotte Iowa, around the Fourth of July, I was swaying slowly on the squeaky porch swing with my only grandpa while most of my five siblings and seven cousins were frolicking at the park around the bend or tapping on Grandma’s piano in the parlor. It wasn’t too often any of us got to sit all alone with Grandpa when we drove from Chicagoland to visit. I don’t remember him ever saying much, but he would pull a quarter out of my ear every time I crawled up and sat on his lap. How did it get in there? I wondered.

     Best of all, though, he always—and I mean always—had candy in his pocket. I’d crawl up and he’d ever so slowly reach into his left breast pocket as I’d watch and wait longingly for small pieces of coated chocolate or chalky pink discs. One day, however, he pulled out something I’d never seen. I noticed him looking away toward his spittoon. At first I wondered if it was his chewing tobacco. It was dark and leathery. I could smell it before I tasted it. Licorice! Mmmm! Thanks Grandpa. To this day every time I taste licorice I remember my grandpa. I remember how I sat there with him, how we shared time together. I remember how much this gentle old man loved me and how I loved him. I remember licorice.

-- Cathy Shuck

                                                             

     By the time I was born, Papa was already quite ill. Growing up, I felt frightened by his wheezing, the shiny hospital bed, and the oxygen tanks that were taller than I was. While the adults talked, I’d play with the meerschaum pipes that Papa once relish and that he had lined up on his dresser like intricately carved bones. I loved their sweet, smoky scent.   One day Papa called me over conspiratorially and whispered in his thick accent, “You like ze pipes?”

       From under his pillow he pulled out a black licorice pipe. It tasted stronger than the licorice I was used to, saltier and more adult. Papa winked. The pipes became a special treat bridging generations. Soon afterwards, Papa moved West, where despite the dry air his asthma finally killed him. Forty years later, black licorice still takes me back to Papa’s house in Brookline, Massachusetts, where we shared a secret and a smile.

-- P.R. Wine

You can still buy those old fashioned licorice pipes here.

Click here to see the wide variety of gourmet licorice available from Licorice International.

How to Help a Soldier Overseas - Send Licorice

You can touch a soldier overseas by sending a package of licorice.  That's right!  Sometimes something as simple as a sweet treat can bring encouragement.

Click here for more info on Licorice International'sTreats for the Troops Program.

A chaplain sent this picture and the following thank you note:

We received your licorice the other day and it is fantastic. We plan to share it with our Soldiers as they come and go carrying out missions.

It's such nice generosity from wonderful people like you that at times just overwhelms us. I know the Soldiers and Marines that come to see us love it. I bet I have 30 people visit my chapel a day just for candy.

I probably have 50 plus come for coffee. God sure is good. He brings them by or me to them and I get a have a chance to bring a personal touch of Christ into their lives. We have chapel services every Sunday, prayer devotionals on Wednesdays, Karaoke Nights on Fridays (we have service members from each branch of service here sometimes even Danish and British Soldiers). Then we have a Chaplain movie night with soda and popcorn.

I guestimate that we serve or personally touch between 200-350 a week.

We look forward to continue to minister to our excellent service members who serve our great country and protect the freedoms we enjoy.

God bless you Kim Kolb and others who have given so much to us already.

I am very grateful!

Have a great weekend and God bless you!