THE LICORICE TREE

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 3, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 22.

THE LICORICE TREE.

Most of it comes from Asia Minor, where it is found growing in great abundance all along the flat, uncultivated, and almost uninhabited lands of the rivers Tigris and Euphrates. It is a small shrub not more than three feet high, with a light foliage, and is never found far from the water.

The season for gathering the roots is generally during the winter, although it is possible all the year round. When the root is first dug, it is full of water and must be allowed to dry—a long, tedious process, often taking a year. It is then sent to Bagdad, where it is pressed into bales and shipped to London, and from there to America, quantities of it being used in this country in the manufacture of tobacco.

The black licorice sticks or rolls which we see in the confectionery or drug store come mostly from Spain and are made of pure juice mixed with a little starch, which prevents it from melting in warm weather, and before packing, each stick is wrapped in bay leaves.

The word "licorice" means "sweet root," and is of Greek origin.—Selected.