Black Licorice Caramels: the best anise caramel recipe - Kitchen Cents (2024)

FAQs

Is anise the same as black licorice? ›

The funny thing is, they're very different. Licorice and anise have a similar taste and fragrance, but they have their own identities beyond that. Licorice is a root (from the licorice plant), and anise is a fruit (from the anise herb plant). Anise is not related to licorice at all.

Anise and Star Anise

In the United States, most of the licorice made domestically is flavored with anise rather than licorice extract. A note for the non-botanists, anise and star anise are two different plants, and while their licorice flavor is similar, anise is much stronger than its eastern counterpart.

Fennel is a vegetable that is either loved or hated. The lovers out there will appreciate its crunchy, celery-like texture and its unique licorice-y, anise-y flavor. The haters may appreciate fennel more in its cooked form.

Chop half of the Red Vines Black Licorice (about 10 pieces) into 1-inch chunks and put them in a saucepan with ½ cup of water. Turn heat to low. As the candy melts, stir frequently to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan.

Though some candy-makers do use licorice root extract juice, boiled down with starch and sugar, to make the infamously chewy candy, in the states, anise (or even star anise) extract is commonly used to impart the licorice flavor.

There is not a specific “safe” amount, but people with high blood pressure or heart or kidney disease should avoid black licorice, which could worsen these conditions. For people over 40, the FDA says that more than two ounces a day for two weeks may be problematic and cause irregular heart rhythm or arrhythmia.

Some theorize that glycyrrhiza glabra (an evil villain name if I ever saw one), the compound that gives fennel, black licorice, and anise their characteristically horrifying taste, is chemically similar to that of artificial sweeteners.

Yes, particularly if you're over 40 and have a history of heart disease or high blood pressure, or both. Eating more than 57g (2 ounces) of black liquorice a day for at least 2 weeks could lead to potentially serious health problems, such as an increase in blood pressure and an irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia).

ACE inhibitors and diuretics.

If you are taking angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or diuretics for high blood pressure, you should not use licorice products. Licorice could cause these medications to not work as well, or could make side effects worse, including a build up of potassium in the body.

The most commonly known licorice-tasting drinks are Ouzo, Sambuca, Pastis, Pernod and Absinthe. Others include Arak, Anisette/Anis, Raki, Aguardiente and Xtabentun.

What flavor goes well with black licorice? ›

While, come dessert time, liquorice is bold enough to take centre stage against a neutral backdrop like ice cream and panna cotta. Conversely, liquorice can also pair up well with other big flavours like mint, ginger, rhubarb and raspberries.

Though the stalks and leaves are edible, fennel recipes most often call for the bulb. When raw, it has a crisp texture similar to celery and a fresh licorice flavor.

When consumed in high amounts, glycyrrhizin causes potassium levels to drop temporarily, which may cause abnormal heart rhythms, high blood pressure, swelling, lethargy, and, in extreme cases, even heart failure, according to a 2012 study published in Therapeutic Advances in Endocrinology and Metabolism.

Eaten in large amounts, black licorice can lower the body's potassium levels – significantly. Potassium is important for heart health, and if levels plummet, it can lead to problems such as abnormal heart rhythms and congestive heart failure. Or worse.

Liquorice is also a good fit with other big, flavours like ginger and mint, rhubarb and raspberries.

Anise has a similar taste to licorice, though it is more mild and slightly sweet. Actually licorice is usually made with licorice root and other things like gelatin. Though if you're a king you're own licorice you can use anise, licorice and fennel together to get an interesting flavor.

When people taste OREAD™, they often describe a flavor of “black licorice.” This comes from the star anise. But actual licorice is the root of yet another species of plant called Glycyrrhiza Glabra, which basically translates to “sweet root.” We're back to herbaceous, this time as a perennial.

You won't find it in red licorice, and some black licorice candies use artificial flavors or anise oil, which has a similar flavor. But some of the best-known black licorice candies use natural licorice extract, which also appears in some teas, root beers and other products.