Happy National Licorice Day! Enjoy These Licorice Facts

National Licorice Day 2013 - LICORICE FACTS

1) Red Vines® are made with wheat (that is sweetened, flavored and baked)—so basically licorice is unleavened bread. Red Vines® are made with no preservatives, so they should be stored in an airtight container. If needed, Red Vines® can be heated in a microwave oven for 5-7 seconds for the candy to reach the desired softness.

2) Licorice root was found in great quantities in the tomb of King Tut among his gold, jewelry and art treasures. It was presumed that King Tut wanted to take the root with him on his journey to the next world so that he could make his sweet drink “Mai sus” when he got there.



3) Alexander the Great’s physician told the troops to carry and chew licorice root in order to quench their thirst when water was scarce and to give them stamina and endurance during their long marches. He also said that it was good for stomach trouble, throat trouble and liver and kidney disorders.

4) If one is looking to maintain health, and heal injuries, there is no single herb better than Licorice Root. Licorice can also quiet the appetite and reduce the desire to smoke tobacco and consume alcohol. It will increase blood flow and help a person stay alert.

Red Vine Intermission: Grab Your Favorite Flavor and Let the Fun Learning Continue

5) For centuries Herbalists have used licorice root for arthritis, asthma, bursitis, canker sores, chronic fatigue syndrome, colds and flu, cough, emphysema, fungal infections like athlete’s foot, gingivitis, gout, heartburn, liver problems, Lyme disease, menopause, pre-menstrual syndrome, prostate enlargement, psoriasis, shingles, sore throat, tendonitis, tuberculosis, ulcers, viral infections and yeast infections.

6) Licorice is one of the oldest types of candy known. Licorice candy is thought to have originated in Holland at the start of the seventeenth century. It became a standard product for candy producers when the candy industry developed in the mid-1800s.

7) Candy makers have created licorice in many flavors. In addition to the traditional Red Vines® and traditional Black Twists flavors, at various times Red Vines® have also been made in Cherry, Chocolate, Cinnamon, Grape, Mint, Orange, Raspberry and Watermelon flavors.

8) More than 60 million pounds of Red Vines® are made each year—or more than 400,000 miles of licorice—enough to wrap around the Earth more than 16 times!

9) In 1925 silent film star Charlie Chaplin asked the American Licorice Company to make him a shoe made out of black licorice—Chaplin’s character ate the shoe to avoid starvation in the movie the “Gold Rush.”

10) The American Licorice Company proudly supports its employees and communities: Healthy employees through its Health & Wellness Program Is committed to environmental awareness and sustainability Supports school kids through generous donations to the Kids In Need Foundation Licorice donations to Blue Star Mothers for licorice care packages to US troops Employee Volunteer Vine makes a big impact in local communities