Tag Archives: Licorice

Is Licorice the elixer of life?

Posted on 1 February, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Roger and Regan Halliwelll claim to have found the meaning of life and, they say, it’s soft, black and delicious.

They are the father and son duo behind the surprisingly lovely RJs Licorice. I say surprising because I’ve never been a licorice fan myself. But I sampled these, and you know what? I really liked them.

I have a licorice loving friend, Rob Halligan, who loves licorice so much, everyone buys him the black stuff for his birthday. It was through his chomping through the stuff that I became converted.

Some would say it is the elixer of life...

Some would say it is the elixer of life...

I’m still not sure I’d like other licorice; but RJ’s seem to be a world apart. Not only are they soft and sweet and healthy (*) RJ’s are really clever about the licorice flavours they make.

At GoodnessDirect we’ve recently taken on four new innovative flavours: Raspberry Choc Twists, Raspberry Bullets, Licorice Choc twists and Licorice Bullets – the twists have the chocolate in the middle, the bullets have chocolate on the outside and the raspberry ones involve a fruity flavoured licorice.

Please forgive my clunky description. I’m not yet a licorice expert, but I’m beginning to think I could be persuaded. Certainly now that I have got my hands on these my friendship with Rob could get a lot closer; and friendship is what life is all about after all.

* Licorice or liquorice is still a sweet but as sweets go it is a healthier choice. Black licorice has no fat in it and a little protein which helps the body feel fuller. Obviously there’s a fair bit of sugar there, but also some iron and calcium. There’s also some research into licorice’s effect on ulcers, eczema, cold symptoms  and even indigestion, but the results are mixed.

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Posted in Chocolate, General Food

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The majesty of loose leaf tea, made incredible by Yogi

Posted on 30 January, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Have you ever wondered why loose tea tastes better than tea made with a tea bag? Let’s be frank: have you ever realised that loose tea tasted better than tea from a tea bag?

Loose tea leaves are complete or at least bigger compared to the broken scraps found in your common tea bag. Bigger really is better in this case because, bigger leaves retain their essential oils while broken particles allow more of those nutrients to evaporate, leaving a comparatively lifeless flavour.

Yogi is no ordinary tea

No ordinary tea

No ordinary tea

Now, Yogi tea is different, not least because they are made of an amazing mix of spices and not simply tea leaves. However, Yogi tea bags are different too. Their commitment to natural flavour means their many teas are packed individually in heat-sealed envelopes to help preserve the health benefits of the herbs used. This also maintains the freshness and flavor.

But now Yogi are letting you get your hands on their original loose leaf concoctions. Another big advantage of brewing loose leaf is that the leaves have space to swell with water and release their flavour. The water circulation around the tea leaf is also important.

So, Yogi are offering some new flavours. See if you can taste the difference…

Ginger Lemon Chai
- warm pungent ginger balanced by refreshing citrus
Choco Chai, Aztec Spice
- a recreation of the ancient Aztec recipe called ‘Xocoatl’
Good Morning Chai, Roasted Chicory Spice
- roasted chicory, cinnamon, cardamom and licorice brings  a warmth and full-bodied taste
Himalaya Chai, Ginger Harmony
- sweet fennel seeds, spicy ginger and cosy cinnamon for uplifting moments
Classic Chai, Cinnamon Spice
- original recipe is cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves and black pepper

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Posted in Antioxidants, Organic

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Blueberry liquorice – what every Panda wants

Posted on 26 August, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Why did I think that pandas have blue tongues?

Polar Bears do, some lizards do and the Chow Chow dog does, but not Pandas. But it’s obvious that Pandas would like blue tongues because they’re all over the Panda Blueberry Liquorice bags.

The reasons why are obvious. Blueberry Liquorice is made with real, juicy fruit puree, and the Panda company combines this superfruit with its pure, natural ingredients: molasses, flour, liquorice flavour and aniseed. And, at less than 1% fat, they’re healthy too.

Maybe another reason that Pandas like blueberry liquorice is that they’re sweet and soft, which means they won’t take as much chewing as all that bamboo they eat. Whether you’re vegan or just someone with a sweet tooth, once tasted you’re likely to become as passionate about liquorice as Pandas are.

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Posted in General Food, Vegan

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Licorice – love it or hate it? I’m betting you’ll love this one…

Posted on 5 April, 2011 by | 2 Comments

Do you think licorice has a bit of a ‘Marmite factor’ about it? You either like it or you don’t…

Initially I didn’t fancy them at all. But I freely admit I was prejudiced against licorice, I’d never really eaten that many, apart from the odd proverbial encounter with All Sorts being passed around the office. (Ah! I always picked the round one with the pink in the middle bit.)

My love affair with licorice began with my partner. She had a real affection for them – and affection is probably an understatement. I was soon a convert too, munching through licorice in all shapes and forms.

Eating licorice goodies needn’t make one feel guilty, its various beneficial properties place it securely in the bracket of ‘health’ food. However, what has really got me addicted now is the Duello, a delicious licorice new to the UK, coated in mouth watering milk chocolate that hits the spot always!

Duello are manufactured by a Finnish confectionery group Panda, who know a thing or two about licorice.

Panda has been producing fresh licorice since 1927 and boasts 80 years of continued production at their Panda Factory in Finland – not bad for a sweet that has sold as a candy bar since the 1600s. As demand for Panda’s licorice has increased they have grown from their three original licorice sold in health stores  to over ten varieties.

The secret of Panda’s popularity is, of course, in the flavour – created through a careful cooking of only four simple ingredients: molasses syrup, wheat flour, licorice extract and aniseed oil. It’s completely traditional with no artificial ingredients – a standard that has earned Panda the natural health label that licorice-lovers like me can trust.

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Posted in Chocolate, General Food, Health

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Chai-tea – I’ve found a new religion

Posted on 14 June, 2010 by | Leave a comment
Tea-thoughts

Tea-thoughts

Perhaps for some people tea is the perfect religion.

If you want a moment’s quiet, what better than finding calm in the depths of a cup of warm copper coloured infusions.

Or if you need some healing, then there are a variety of time-tested tastes to ease your ailments.

Are you desperate for a listening ear and sympathy? Invite your friend over for no better reason than the ritual brew of tea-for-two.

And if you really need to know the future, well, you can always get your aunt to read the tea-leaves…

Of course the humble tea bush and all its adherents won’t quite match the majesty of a higher power, but many a prayer has risen on the incense of a steaming cuppa, and many a moment has been satisfied by the perfect choice of tea at that perfect time.

It’s not as if the gurus of tea making don’t know they’re on to something. You’ve surely noticed how shops’ shelves have become increasingly laden with a greater supply of different teas? Continue reading →

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Posted in Fairtrade, Organic

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The wonders of Licorice

Posted on 6 February, 2008 by | 1 Comment

Science Daily: Compounds In Licorice Root May Help Fight Tooth Decay, inflammation, viruses, ulcers and even cancer.

Two compound extracts from a plant root that is used to make licorice appear to be potent inhibitors of Streptococcus mutans, a major cause of dental caries.

Licorice has been an important herb in Chinese medicine for many years and is now being rediscovered by Western medicine as a rich source of potentially beneficial compounds. In addition to being used as flavoring and sweetening agents in candy, tobaccos and beverages, compounds derived from licorice root have been shown to help fight inflammation, viruses, ulcers and even cancer.

Further research is still being conducted.

University of California, Los Angeles
Study appeared in Feb. 24 print version of the Journal of Natural Products, a monthly peer-reviewed joint publication of the American Chemical Society and the American Society of Pharmacognosy.

The American Chemical Society — the world’s largest scientific society — is a nonprofit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress and a global leader in providing access to chemistry-related research through its multiple databases, peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.

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Posted in Health

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