Licorice International Celebrates National Licorice Day with Chef Judy

On April 12th, Licorice International which is located in our historic Haymarket District is celebrating National Licorice Day by offering a FREE gift with every purchase, door prizes and lots of FREE samples for all guests who attend.  Licorice International will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.  In addition, international food aficionado, Chef Judy, will be hosting her show, Judy a la carte, live from Licorice International located at 803 Q Street, Suite 300. You can catch Chef Judy’s show on 1240 AM KFOR from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Monday through Friday. 

Licorice International, which boasts more than 160 types of licorice from 14 different countries, offers the largest selection of licorice in the United States.  The company began as a mail order business in New York City in 1996 and moved to Lincoln, Nebraska in 2002.  They opened their online store in June 2002 and retail shop here in Lincoln on July 2003. 

To help celebrate National Licorice Day, Licorice International has provided us with some very interesting facts:

Did you know…

- Licorice root is one of the most popular herbs in the world.

- The licorice plant, a shrub, is officially a weed.  It is about four feet tall with purplish flower, and grows in hot, dry places.  Native to southern Europe, Asia and the Mediterranean, it is extensively cultivated in Russia, Spain, Iran, and India.

- Licorice’s botanical name comes from the Greek words “glukos” meaning sweet, and “riza” meaning root.  Greek writers referred to it as “glycyrrhiza.”

- The Romans pronounced the Greek word “Gliquiricia, and then “Liquiritia.”  By the 1300s, the word was further simplified to “Lycorys” in Old French, eventually arriving at “liquorice” in English.  Americans simplified the word to “licorice.”

- Glycyrrihizic acid is extracted from the root and used as a flavoring in food, tobacco, alcohol and cosmetics.  Some varieties of licorice root are 50 times sweeter than sugar.
- Licorice root has numerous health benefits.  Since the 14th century, licorice has been used to soothe coughs, colds and bronchitis.  It is one of the ingredients found in many European cough preparations.

- Research has shown that licorice helps treat and relieve the pains that accompany certain types of ulcers, and it is good for the adrenal glands. 

- The ancient Egyptians used licorice as a pharmaceutical and large supplies were found in King Tut’s tomb.  Egyptian hieroglyphics record the use of licorice as a popular beverage among the men of the time. 

- Modern licorice candy dates form 17th century Holland.  At the time, Holland was one of the world’s most powerful countries, and her sailors spread this wonderful delicacy to other European nations. 

- In the United States, anise is a popular substitute flavoring for licorice.  Most American candy is flavored with anise, not licorice.

Come and help celebrate National Licorice Day on April 12th at Licorice International’s 4400-square-foot facility in Lincoln’s historic Haymarket and you will be treated to FREE samples of coffee, candy and tea and the opportunity to win prizes throughout the day. 

Be sure to visit Licorice International‘s Facebook fan page and enter in their weekly contests to receive a $15 gift card.

For more information about Licorice International call 1.800.LICORICE (542.6742) or visit their website at http://www.licoriceinternational.com. 
For more information about Chef Judy or her show, Judy a la carte visit http://www.chefjudy.net