# So I just tried real licorice, and am pretty impressed **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [May 2, 2022, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-just-tried-real-licorice-and-am-pretty-impressed/963802 "2022-05-02T12:04:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2022, 8:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-just-tried-real-licorice-and-am-pretty-impressed/963802/21 "2022-05-04T08:42:39Z")
I am a black licorice fan, and have settled on Panda brand licorice, imported from Finland, as the most authentic and flavorful licorice. All natural and containing only four ingredients (molasses, wheat flour, licorice extract and aniseseed oil), it is soft and moist and really delivers the licorice flavor I crave. It is widely available in supermarkets and drug stores at $3-4 for a 7oz bag. > **[Amazon.com : Panda All Natural Soft Licorice, 7 Ounce (Pack of 2) : Grocery...](https://www.amazon.com/Panda-Natural-Soft-Licorice-Pack/dp/B00J1NJN78)** > > Amazon.com : Panda All Natural Soft Licorice, 7 Ounce (Pack of 2) : Grocery & Gourmet Food ---
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2022, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-just-tried-real-licorice-and-am-pretty-impressed/963802/22 "2022-05-04T10:25:10Z")
To bad about the aniseed oil. Otherwise I would have tried it. Does anyone these days make black licorice without anise? ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2022, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-just-tried-real-licorice-and-am-pretty-impressed/963802/23 "2022-05-04T10:33:04Z")
My Mum used to buy me the occasional liquorice stick back in the 70s - I think she bought them from a health food shop, which would make sense. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2022, 10:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-just-tried-real-licorice-and-am-pretty-impressed/963802/24 "2022-05-04T10:58:00Z")
> [@psychonaut](#): > > To bad about the aniseed oil. Otherwise I would have tried it. Does anyone these days make black licorice without anise? I am guessing it’s added to make it softer, and without it it would be too hard to chew? ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2022, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-just-tried-real-licorice-and-am-pretty-impressed/963802/25 "2022-05-04T14:52:42Z")
What are the licorice sticks that you bought at the market normally used for? ---
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2022, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-just-tried-real-licorice-and-am-pretty-impressed/963802/26 "2022-05-04T14:54:28Z")
They were next to the candy and dried fruits, so I assume they are normally used for sucking and gnawing on in their raw form. ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2022, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-just-tried-real-licorice-and-am-pretty-impressed/963802/27 "2022-05-04T15:45:44Z")
There is a store in Poulsbo, Washington that claims to sell more types of black licorice than any other store. For me, it is a must stop any time we stop by. The licorice category on their website has 421 entries. ([LICORICE - Page 5](https://www.marinamarket.com/sweets/licorice/?page=5)) ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2022, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-just-tried-real-licorice-and-am-pretty-impressed/963802/28 "2022-05-04T16:02:23Z")
I specifically use DGL licorice for stomach issues, with the problematic part removed. I don’t find it harms the flavor, though the chewable pill in question does replace it with xylitol. I actually think it tastes better than most licorice candies. The bitterness is less strong. (And I’m glad, as take it multiple times a day. It is theorized to increase mucus production in the esophageal tract and thus provide a barrier against reflux. However, that effect is somewhat negated by the GL which would irritate the digestive tract.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-just-tried-real-licorice-and-am-pretty-impressed/963802.md?page=1)