One contained pretty, multicolored candies; the other was packed with nothing but pitch-black, licorice-flavored jelly beans.
Licorice as a treat has been a recurring enigma in our relationship for the past 20 years.
My husband has always been a fan of what I call vintage candies.
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If its waxy, chalky, and old-fashioned, hes all in.
Why Do People Like Licorice?
Maybe its likecilantro, I thought to myself.
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That must be it, I thought, hes a mutant.
(I suspected this all along.)
Turns out, thats not the case with licorice.
Licorice root is one of primary sources for licorice flavor.Credit:Getty Images
Theres no biological reason for liking licoriceits just a matter of taste.
Why Do Folks Dislike Licorice?
A flavor association that intense, formed during early childhood, is a tough one to shake.
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Whats Actually In Licorice?
Most licorice also contains molasses, corn syrup, andno surprise to anyonewax.
Thats not candy, its a candle, folks.
Why Is Some Licorice Red?
Because folks hate licorice, thats why!
Red licorice isnt really licorice at allit contains the other common licorice ingredients EXCEPT anise or licorice root extract.
In its place are red food coloring and strawberry, raspberry, or cherry flavorings.
Can You Make Homemade Licorice?
you’re able to, and I have.
One Valentines Day, I decided to make homemade licorice for my aforementioned husband of questionable taste.
Naturally I wanted it to be a surprise, so my neighbor let me make it at her house.
Im not sure that its why she moved, but it was undoubtedly a contributing factor.
All joking aside, everybodys entitled to their own candy preferencesyour taste buds, your choice.
Ill just stick to the colorful ones.
