Licorice and Stress

A friend of mine regularly uses licorice to combat stress She said if she's feeling stressed out, she sucks on a piece of Panda licorice (she likes Panda because it uses molasses instead of sugar) or she brews a pot of licorice spice tea.

A little research showed that my friend is in good company. Licorice has been used to combat stress for centuries. The ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans reguarly used it for stress. In fact, Alexander the Great passed out licorice root to his battle troops.

It turns out that licorice strengthens the adrenal glands, which regulate the body's stress response.
So the next time you feel stressed, reach for your favorite licorice treat. Make sure the candy you choose is made with real licorice root, not just flavored with anise. You can find all kinds of licorice from all over the world through Licorice International. To start with, try my friend's favorite Panda licorice, or some Dutch treats, such as Soft Licorice Drops or Beehive Honey Licorice. (But there are lots more to choose from here.) If you prefer the soothing nature of hard candy, try Potter's original licorice bits. And if you want a natural treat reminsent of the ancients, try chewing or sucking on licorice root sticks.

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A special visit to Licorice International

Tom Neubauer from Milwauke, Wisconsin, recently visited the Licorice International retail store in Lincoln, Nebraska. Here's what he had to say:

On Saturday, the 21st , our family visited your store. I haven’t been able to find a replacement for my old favorite, Switzer’s, for a long while. Now I have a resource for the ages and a check list to boot. I selected the Finnska Ripples. Our daughter moved from our home in Milwaukee in 2008 to join the UN Press. Thanks for filling a hole in my stomach and my diet.

Licorice Shapes and Personality

Have you ever thought about the different shapes of Licorice? What's your favorite licorice shape? What does that tell you about your personality? Take this purely unscientific quiz to see what your favorite licorice shape tells about your personality.

First, think of your favorite type of licorice. What shape is it? It might be cylinders, laces, cute shapes, drops, tire tread, twists, rounds, diamonds, or wheels. If you aren't familiar with different kinds of licorice, think what kind you might be drawn to. Then consult the list to see what your favorite shape reveals about your personality.

(All licorice mentioned is available from Licorice International. Click on the names to order.)

Cylinders (such as Salmiak Rocks) – You’re a no-nonsense type. You like things to be practical and useful. What you see is what you get.

Laces (such as Black Licorice Laces) – You’re athletic and action oriented. Easily bored, you’re always looking for a new challenge and often try several new things at once. A risk taker.

Shapes (such as Farm Licorice) – You’re a kid at heart. Your active imagination and creativity make you a fun conversationalist. The life of the party.

Drops (such as Harlekijn Licorice) – You’re conservative and make good, well-informed choices. Your wisdom is widely valued by those around you. Moderation in all things.

Tire Tread (such as Black Tire Tread Licorice) – You love life and want to enjoy every moment to the fullest. Life’s too short not to make the most of everything you’ve been given. Seize the day!

Twists (such as Kookaburra Black Twists) – You have an analytical mind. You love puzzles and quandaries that test your logical thinking skills. Quite decisive.



Rounds (such as Gustafs Royal Rounds) -- You’re always thinking of others. Your kindness and hospitality are evident to anyone, even those who’ve only known you a short while. Others first.

Diamonds (such as Diamond Licorice) – You’re good at seeing the big picture, and you have a vision for the future. A born leader.

Wheels (such as Black Licorice Wheels) – You have a need for symmetry and order. You have a real eye for detail. A place for everything, and everything in its place.

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A Review from Candy Addict Blog

Our friends at the Candy Addict Blog LOVE licorice. Today they reviewed three of our new products:

Waldov Soft Eating Original Liquorice from Australia, which they declared to be "sooooo soft" (which is a good thing) with a "superb" flavor.





Waldov Soft Eating Raspberry Liquorice from Australia, which they described as just as soft, with a sweet and tart flavor, great for raspberry lovers.

Finally, they tried our new Oh Ryan's Irish Potatoes. Although skeptical, they found they liked the unusual treat.

You can read their entire blog post here. Thanks for the shout out, Candy Addict!

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Comments, anyone?

Amy, a Lincoln resident, recently sent us the following e-mail:

"I just wanted to say how much I enjoy reading the blog! Makes me want to drive downtown every time. I will stop by soon!"

Are you enjoying the blog? Leave us a comment, whether you're a local customer or an on-line visitor. We'd love to hear from you.

Irish Licorice Toffee--a Special St. Patrick's Day Treat

Quick--what are some treats you might serve at a St. Patrick's Day party? Green jello? Soda bread? Corned beef? This year, instead of just the old stand-bys, serve some Irish Licorice Toffee from Licorice International.

At my licorice tasting party, the Irish Licorice Toffee was a favorite of licorice lovers as well as the not-so-enthusiastic friends. Everone liked the combined flavors of toffee and real licorice and the soft, chewy (but not sticky) texture.

Click here to order Irish Licorice Toffee.

Eat Licorice. Share a meal at Bread & Cup.

Just down the street from Licorice International in Lincoln's Historic Haymarket, you'll find Bread & Cup, a new restaurant that's becoming a popular destination.

It's a refreshing alternative: simple food and drink meant to be shared. It's about fresh ingredients and letting the natural processes of heat and fermentation enhance the good flavors of the food, explained Kevin Shinn, who owns the restaurant with his wife Karen (pictured right). Favorite meal items include hearty stews, soups and sandwiches, such as the popular pulled pork, served with baked apples, or the new turkey salad sandwich tossed in cream cheese, green chiles, green onion and cumin. When the Farmers Market is active, you can enjoy "Market Meals" created from fresh produce purchased that day from local farmers.

But it's about more than the food. It's about slowing down, connecting with others, enjoying good conversation. It's about sharing quality wine and their "slowdough" break coupled with aged cheese, apple butter or pesto. Or relaxing in a peaceful environment over French press coffee and freshly baked scones.

"We really want to be known as a place where people connect," said Kerry Knight, manager. "Throughout history people seem to connect better through food and drink."

Kerry is a big fan of Licorice International. Kerry's favorite kinds of licorice are:
Irish toffee. ("They melt in your mouth," he says.) Available here.
Good and Plenty (Fresher than anyplace else, he says). Available here.
Strawberry Kookaburra Twists. Available here.
Black Tire Tread. Available here.

Bread & Cup is located at the corner of 8th and S Street in Lincoln's Historic Haymarket.
For more information see http://www.breadandcup.com/ or call 402-438-2255.

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Watch This Video from Irish Potato Factory

During a recent trip to Philadelphia, Licorice Lady Elizabeth Erlandson enjoyed a tour of Oh Ryan’s, the largest manufacturer of Irish Potatoes, a special kind of candy. Never heard of Irish Potatoes? “They aren’t Irish and there’s no potato in it whatsoever,” said owner Dave Lamparelli. Irish Potatoes are made from coconut cream coated in cinnamon, a tasty treat that looks a little like a potato. In Philadelphia they’re a common treat around St. Patrick’s Day.

The process starts with the coconut cream going through the “cut roll machine,” a 70-year-old machine that cuts the coconut cream and rolls it into little balls. Then the treats go through the “cinnamonizer,” where they are coated in pure cinnamon. The little potatoes are hand wrapped, packaged and sent to distributors. From January 1st through St. Patrick’s Day, about 20 employees are kept busy 12 hours a day, making an average of 2000 pounds of Irish Potatoes every day. That’s 85,000 pounds per season!

Most Irish Potatoes are sold in Philadelphia, along with other unique Philly treats such as scrapple and Tasty Cakes. But Lamparelli said they have sent the candies as far away as Alaska, where an Irish dance troupe used them for a fundraiser.

And now you can buy Irish Potatoes through Licorice International. They’re available in our retail store and online. Click here to order Irish Potatoes. Order early to make sure you get them in time for St. Patrick’s Day.

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