# Do you like the flavor of licorice?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-the-flavor-of-licorice/1026071
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [December 26, 2025, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-the-flavor-of-licorice/1026071 "2025-12-26T14:42:53Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 4
### Author:  [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)
#### Post date: [December 27, 2025, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-the-flavor-of-licorice/1026071/61 "2025-12-27T05:12:20Z")
Horehound Candy tastes similar to licorice.
I tried it once and didn’t like it. That’s surprising because I like root beer and licorice.
Link [What is Horehound Candy? Uncover the Old-Fashioned Sweet's Secrets](https://www.delightedcooking.com/what-is-horehound-candy.htm)
> [@](#):
>
> Many people describe horehound as bitter, and not everyone enjoys the taste. It is a member of the mint family, and some tasters say that it has a flavor like a combination of mint, [licorice](https://www.delightedcooking.com/what-is-licorice.htm), and root beer.
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### Author:  [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)
#### Post date: [December 27, 2025, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-the-flavor-of-licorice/1026071/62 "2025-12-27T05:15:03Z")
From what I’ve seen, horehound is more often used as a cough drop than as a treat.
I grew horehound one time, and that did not smell like something I would want to eat.
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### Author:  [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)
#### Post date: [December 27, 2025, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-the-flavor-of-licorice/1026071/63 "2025-12-27T06:05:21Z")
I like horehound, but I’ve never noticed the slightest resemblance to licorice…
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### Author:  [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)
#### Post date: [December 27, 2025, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-the-flavor-of-licorice/1026071/64 "2025-12-27T11:06:18Z")
Real horehound gives me heart palpitations, and not in a good way. It took a while to figure that one out.
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### Author:  [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)
#### Post date: [December 27, 2025, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-the-flavor-of-licorice/1026071/65 "2025-12-27T12:21:42Z")
> [@pulykamell](#):
>
> IIRC (and I may be mixing you up with another poster in my middle age), you’re in Switzerland or Germany or somewhere there abouts? Salty licorice is particularly contrary to American tastes. Like herbal liqueurs, for instance. Much less enjoyed here, I’ve found, than Germany and Central Europe, at least, in my experience.
You’re correct, that’s me. But I grew up in PNW from midwest parents, who are a bit flabbergasted that I like anise and herbal liqueurs.
My office had a combination of Swiss, German, American (me), and Serbian. I think all the Germans liked the salty licorice, and about half of the Swiss.
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### Author:  [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)
#### Post date: [December 27, 2025, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-the-flavor-of-licorice/1026071/66 "2025-12-27T12:41:14Z")
I cross posted this [here](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-taste-work/1025858/16), and as @Johanna points out trans-anethole, the part of anise perceived by most as licorice flavor, is not actually present in significant amounts in licorice root, but it may help partly explain why candies that use anise or other sources of trans-anethole as “licorice” result in a great divide:
> In 2012, a landmark study published in _Nature Neuroscience_ identified a genetic variant in the olfactory receptor gene _OR7D4_ that directly correlates with perception of trans-anethole. Researchers discovered that individuals carrying two copies of the RT allele (rs6591536) perceive trans-anethole as intensely sweet and pleasant—often describing it as “anise,” “fennel,” or “candy-like.” Those with two copies of the WM allele, however, report it as overwhelmingly unpleasant—“urinous,” “sweaty,” or “rotten.” Heterozygotes (one of each) fall somewhere in between, often neutral or mildly negative.
>
> This isn’t theoretical. The RT/WM polymorphism affects roughly 15–20% of Europeans, 30–40% of East Asians, and up to 55% of West Africans
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### Author:  [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)
#### Post date: [December 27, 2025, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-the-flavor-of-licorice/1026071/67 "2025-12-27T12:54:05Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#):
>
> From what I’ve seen, horehound is more often used as a cough drop than as a treat.
I could have sworn that I saw it included in candy stick displays, and it was striped. The only ones I found online are solid [brown](https://www.candydirect.com/products/old-fashion-sticks-horehound-80-count?variant=7847276609596).
I would always choose horehound, when I had the option.
I can’t get spicy Italian sausage here, so I have to add spices to make my own. I always add plenty of fennel - but not too much, as it can take over.
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### Author:  [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)
#### Post date: [December 27, 2025, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-the-flavor-of-licorice/1026071/68 "2025-12-27T16:07:29Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#):
>
> ETA: I also get irrationally annoyed when anybody plays the licorice people to a candy that is not anise-flavored.
I think speech-to-text must have misheard you. What did you really mean?
My own taste in licorice is pretty basic. Moist or soft is gross. My fave is the American Licorice Company Black Vines. I open the package and let it age a couple weeks to a month before eating. Depends on how humid the environment. When aged to perfection it’s about the consistency of beef jerky. Not yet brittle, but dry and chewy and stretchy. Perfection!
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### Author:  [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)
#### Post date: [December 27, 2025, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-the-flavor-of-licorice/1026071/69 "2025-12-27T16:15:31Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#):
>
> > [@kaylasdad99](#):
> >
> > ETA: I also get irrationally annoyed when anybody plays the licorice people to a candy that is not anise-flavored.
>
> I think speech-to-text must have misheard you. What did you really mean?
Thank you for bringing it up. Truly. I was having a hard time with copy-paste on my phone.
_ETA: I also get irrationally annoyed when anybody applies the licorice label to a candy that is not anise-flavored._
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### Author:  [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)
#### Post date: [December 27, 2025, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-the-flavor-of-licorice/1026071/70 "2025-12-27T16:29:43Z")
My hate for licorice is only in very small part about the taste. It’s neither good nor bad, just very distinct. But as a kid I always resented how it could displace top-shelf candies in a Halloween bag or other gift assortment. Very much a “looking the gift horse in the mouth” situation.
So over time I came to regard licorice as a wretched, miserly fraud perpetuated by old people who didn’t want to spring for the good stuff, and now the faintest whiff of anise triggers this revulsion for me.
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### Author:  [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)
#### Post date: [December 27, 2025, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-the-flavor-of-licorice/1026071/71 "2025-12-27T16:54:44Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#):
>
> _ETA: I also get irrationally annoyed when anybody applies the licorice label to a candy that is not anise-flavored._
Hear here! And a hearty Huzzah! Anyone referring to noxious artificial strawberry or raspberry candy as “red licorice” will be soundly beaten with the whole package.
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### Author:  [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)
#### Post date: [December 27, 2025, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-the-flavor-of-licorice/1026071/72 "2025-12-27T19:29:22Z")
Licorice-whipped, even!
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### Author:  [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)
#### Post date: [December 27, 2025, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-the-flavor-of-licorice/1026071/73 "2025-12-27T19:49:03Z")
Well, noxious red rope-whipped actually.
But yeah, when I wrote that I enjoyed setting out the pun potential with those candies sometimes being called “whips”. Thanks for stepping up to the plate for a swing. 😁
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### Author:  [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)
#### Post date: [December 27, 2025, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-the-flavor-of-licorice/1026071/74 "2025-12-27T19:53:55Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#):
>
> I also get irrationally annoyed when anybody applies the licorice label to a candy that is not anise-flavored.
I feel that way toward applying the licorice label to anything black that doesn’t contain real _Glycyrrhiza glabra_.
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### Author:  [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)
#### Post date: [December 27, 2025, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-the-flavor-of-licorice/1026071/75 "2025-12-27T19:54:05Z")
> [@DSeid](#):
>
> Those with two copies of the WM allele, however, report it as overwhelmingly unpleasant—“urinous,” “sweaty,” or “rotten.”
Wow. If I could have more than 2 copies of that WM, I’d guess that I had at least 5. That’s what licorice tastes like to me-- something bad that I should spit out. You know, when you are little, you mother will tell you don’t eat this, or that? don’t eat those berries, or put this in your mouth? Licorice is kinda what I imagine a lot of those things tasting like.
Do you know what I’m talking about when I talk about being given a little strip of paper in school, and you taste it? About half the class says “Ick,” but doesn’t get upset about it, 1/4 of the class can’t taste anything, and the other quarter can’t get it out of their mouths fast enough, and ask to get a drink to rinse the taste out, it’s so bad? I’m in the last group.
Has that got anything to do with these other chemicals?
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### Author:  [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)
#### Post date: [December 27, 2025, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-the-flavor-of-licorice/1026071/76 "2025-12-27T20:10:58Z")
Oh I remember that! Took a bit to find it on search though -
[Yuck! That Tastes Terrible: Discovering a Unique Genetic Trait | Smithsonian Science Education Center](https://ssec.si.edu/yuck-that-tastes-terrible#:%5C~:text=In%20this%20genetic%20trait%20research%20activity%2C%20students,to%20detect%20genetic%20variation%20in%20tasting%20ability) .
More about it.
> **[PTC The Genetics of Bitter Taste](https://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/basics/ptc/)**
>
> Genetic Science Learning Center
Not sure if all that should be taken with grain of salt or if that would mess up the test!
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### Author:  [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)
#### Post date: [December 27, 2025, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-the-flavor-of-licorice/1026071/77 "2025-12-27T23:00:22Z")
OK, good post, just for the record I didn’t bring up trans-anethole as such, but thanks. My disagreement with **puzzlegal** over the taste of _G. glabra_ was just IMHSI (in my humble sense impression), not a scientific analysis, not trying to say she’s wrong either, because what do I know
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### Author:  [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)
#### Post date: [December 27, 2025, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-the-flavor-of-licorice/1026071/78 "2025-12-27T23:19:00Z")
Sure it’s interesting that it actually triggers different sensations in different people.
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### Author:  [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)
#### Post date: [December 28, 2025, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-the-flavor-of-licorice/1026071/79 "2025-12-28T00:11:26Z")
I love cabbage fried with bacon, and just a little bit of fennel. First time I made it, I overdid it, and you are right - it WILL take over. Bay leaf flavor can too, if one isn’t careful.
I got a package of these yesterday, marked down, and I’m going to take them to my volunteer job, because while I liked them, they didn’t like me! I was burping that anise flavor for HOURS afterwards; okay, maybe I overindulged but I really don’t want to eat them again.
[https://www.shaws.com/shop/product-details.960074956.html?srsltid=AfmBOopUNBxj8V3\_CoVlW9nLNh\_cG39kkDw05BbSsJHqq9oFCGVBTZc7](https://www.shaws.com/shop/product-details.960074956.html?srsltid=AfmBOopUNBxj8V3_CoVlW9nLNh_cG39kkDw05BbSsJHqq9oFCGVBTZc7)
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### Author:  [@kitap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitap)
#### Post date: [December 28, 2025, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-the-flavor-of-licorice/1026071/80 "2025-12-28T00:39:33Z")
> [@pulykamell](#):
>
> I’m surprised with 32 votes in, it’s 2/3 pro licorice. I would have bet at least the other way around. In my experience, easily most people I know dislike licorice. In this household, I’m the only one of four who likes it. As said above, it’s the candy I’d buy if I want to keep it all to myself, while still seeming generous in offering it.
>
> Even better for me is Scandinavian salty licorice (salted with salmiak/ammonium chloride.) Literally no one (except for some people on this board) I know like it.
I don’t care for black licorice, but love salmiakki.
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