Did you know that licorice contains glycyrrhizin, a substance that is actually 50 times sweeter than sugar. If you have ever bought licorice root you’ll find that besides being woody in texture, it is very sweet.
Black jelly beans and most licorice candies aren’t actually flavoured as much with licorice as they are with anise. In many countries licorice is used for it’s medicinal properties rather than as a flavouring. Licorice is also used extensively to flavour tobacco.
I love the flavour of licorice, anise, and fennel and should I eat a few black jellybeans I know that Lola won’t come within ten feet of me as she hates them with the burning passion of a thousand suns.
Even better are the licorice or anise candies that are made overseas; I used to buy these candies at Ikea that were like smarties except that instead of a candy coated chocolate the outer shell was licorice. I believe they are made by Cloetta and if you don’t like the licorice covered chocolates they make mocha covered chocolates as well. They are difficult to find here and ordering online seems the only way to get them.
I also will buy Dutch salted licorice whenever I have the opportunity, I find it’s delightful while I know the kids won’t be raiding dad’s stash of disgusting sweets.
Popcorn flavoured jellybeans are the work of satan… they’re akin to eating sweetened day old grease. BLECH!
I worked for years in a video store which also sold “gourmet” lollipops - uncommon flavors, all-natural ingredients, blah blah. Of the approximately 40 flavors, by FAR the least popular was buttered popcorn. Licorice flavor was not particularly popular, but then we only received a few of either flavor per bag. The licorice lingered, but sold. If we let the display clear out, there would invariably be 4 buttered popcorn left after even the nasty peanut butter ones sold. I love peanut butter (the actual product), and I sort of like buttered popcorn-flavored jelly bellies, but the lollies were simply heinous…
Another vote against the black jelly bellys. I don’t like anise in any form. I also don’t particularly care for buttered popcorn, and cherry is ok. Out of the jelly belly flavors, I usually end up giving away most of my buttered popcorn, coconut, jalapeno, lemon, licorice, margarita, and pink grapefruit. 7 out of 40 is a lot, but the other ones are good enough to make up for it. Juicy pear is the best. Also good are green apple (esp. with cinnamon), crushed pineapple, chocolate pudding + top banana, watermelon, and root beer.
Does anyone really like the flavor of jalapeno jelly beans?
I love black jellybeans; if a mixture doesn’t have them, I won’t buy them. I also like cherry, but that’s pretty well standard. Anything else is just too sugary. If I get the gourmet ones, I like the chocolate flavored ones best. I used to like the buttered popcorn (back when I was 10 or so), but now find them absolutely revolting.
