Licorice is one of the members of the legume genus. In Russia it is known as licorice. It mainly grows wild. Licorice is used for medicinal and culinary purposes.
What are the benefits of licorice
Licorice is rich in B vitamins, in particular B1, B2, B3 and B6. Thanks to this, it regulates metabolism, has a beneficial effect on the nervous system, participates in protein synthesis, energy metabolism, and insulin production.
Licorice root is one of the recognized natural remedies for coughs. It can be found in many collections, potions and elixirs. Licorice root contains many active substances: flavonoids, alkaloids, phytosterols. It has a good anti-inflammatory, expectorant, antiulcer and antispasmodic effect.
Liquorice in cooking
For culinary purposes, only licorice root is used. It must first be dried and crushed. It should be harvested in early spring or autumn. To do this, you need to dig up the roots, rinse them in cold water, then cut them into pieces and dry them. In this form, licorice root can be stored for up to ten years.
It is used as a spice. Liquorice has an original delicate amber, which is close to the aromas of fennel and anise. Her taste is rich and sweet. As a spice, licorice is popular in the national cuisine of Egypt, Japan, England, Mongolia and Scandinavian countries. There it is used in the form of powder, dried flakes, syrups and extracts.
Licorice goes well with meat dishes, including game. Ideally, this spice is in harmony with rice and eggs. Licorice can be used to make pickles, sauerkraut, canned fish, pickled apples. Due to its sweet taste, it goes well with both fruits and berries. It is often added to coffee, cocoa, compotes, teas, jelly.
Baking and licorice are perfectly compatible concepts. Spice can be safely added to a cake or buns. It is also added to caramel, halva, ice cream, chocolate, marshmallow. It is used to flavor liqueurs, wines, vodka and even beer. Licorice is sometimes used as a natural sugar substitute.
Liquorice and spices: bright combinations
Licorice goes well with black pepper, anise, ginger, fennel, cardamom. It complements a popular Chinese blend called the Five Spices. In addition to licorice, it includes cloves, cinnamon, anise, and Sichuan pepper.
Interesting Facts
In traditional medicine in Tibet, China, Thailand and many other Asian countries, licorice root is used in the treatment of typical male ailments - prostatitis, impotence and prostate adenoma. Meanwhile, Europe and America rank licorice as a typical female aphrodisiac that dampens the sexual agility of men.
