The Liquorice Plant

Glyks (sweet)
Rhiza (Root)

Liquorice is obtained from the natural roots of the plant Glycyrrihiza Glabra. This perennial, which grows to five feet high has dark green leaves and pale mauve flowers and thrives best in sandy dry soil near a natural water source. However it is not the surface plant that is interesting but what goes on underground. Just below the surface the main stem divides into branching roots and rhizomes or stolons. By the time the plants reach maturity, in some four years time, the roots will have burrowed four or more feet deep, and the stolons, which grow just below or on the surface, where they bud and take root, will have reached any thing from a few feet to as many as thirty!

The Liquorice is obtained by lifting the roots and stolons. They are then cut into short lengths, peeled and dried for 9-10 months and tied into bundles or ground to powder. The roots are washed, boiled and pulped, or the powder is carefully processed to obtain the liquorice extract, after the excess water is evaporated off. The liquorice extract, which has the appearance of a shiny black tar-like block - also known as Hard Juice, is the basis from which various liquorice products are made.