Did you Know

There are many different varieties of Liquorice. From very sweet to a sharp almost peppery flavour. If you don't like one try another.

Liquorice was found in the tombs of ancient Egyptian Pharaohs.

Recently a sample of historic Liquorice from 756 A.D. was analysed and found to still have active principles.

Native Americans used it to alleviate pain in difficult childbirth

Liquoricehas been a mainstay of traditional Chinese Medicine for over 3,000 years.

In Buddhist religion an infusion of the Liquorice root is used to ceremonially bath the statue of the Buddha on the morning of his birthday, the eight day of the eight-month.  

Liquorice is 50 times sweeter than sugar, but only contains 100 calories, per ounce and is widely used in the food industry.

Miners Sucked Liquorice Wafers whilst down the pit to quench their thirst.

The waste root of Liquorice is crushed and made into, chemical wood pulp, pressed into boards and made into boxes; it is also incorporated into Mushroom Pulp.

Liquorice is one of the most effective flavourings in Cigarettes greatly enhancing the quality of the final product.

Accordingto the British Association of Tobacco Manufacturers, quality flavourings play a vital role in masking the bad taste of low quality tobacco, thus making it a more pleasurable experience.

As Liquorice is an effective expectorant it also enables the lungs to expand more, enabling smokers to inhale more smoke at any one time.

During the Second World War women would lick the red Liquorice Comforts sweet and rub the red colouring onto their lip as a lipstick substitute.

Liquorice is used by Brewers, in Stout, Porter and Beer to give it thickness and blackness.

Liquorice can be found in many skin care products.

It is highly likely that you eat or use Liquorice in one form or another every day of your life.

You can buy a compact yet comprehensive book, titled "Liquorice", written by Briony Hudson & Richard Van Reil, on the history of Liquorice and Pontefract's association with it. Richard is the Curator of Pontefract Museum. It is said, "What he doesn't know about Pontefract's long and rich history probably isn't worth knowing". The book can be obtained from Pontefract Museum price £3.99, Tel; 01977 722741.