Let`s find out more about my favourite candy (wich im VERy addicted too) licorice!
Liquorice is grown as a root crop mainly in southern Europe. Very little commercial liquorice is grown in North America, where it is replaced by a related native species, American Licorice (G. lepidota), which has similar uses. In northern China, Glycyrrhyzia uralensis is grown and is medicinally equivalent to G. glabra. It is grown best in sandy soil, with full sun and is harvested in the autumn, three to four years after its planting.
Liquorice extract is produced by boiling liquorice root and subsequently evaporating most of the water (in fact, the word 'liquorice' is derived from the Ancient Greek words for 'sweet root'). Liquorice extract is traded both in solid and syrup form. Its active principle is glycyrrhizin, a sweetener more than 50 times as sweet as sucrose which also has pharmaceutical effects. The related Chinese Liquorice (G. uralensis), which is used extensively in traditional Chinese medicine, contains this chemical in much greater concentration.
Liquorice extract is produced by boiling liquorice root and subsequently evaporating most of the water (in fact, the word 'liquorice' is derived from the Ancient Greek words for 'sweet root'). Liquorice extract is traded both in solid and syrup form. Its active principle is glycyrrhizin, a sweetener more than 50 times as sweet as sucrose which also has pharmaceutical effects. The related Chinese Liquorice (G. uralensis), which is used extensively in traditional Chinese medicine, contains this chemical in much greater concentration.
Liquorice flavour is found in a wide variety of liquorice candies. The most popular in the United Kingdom are Liquorice allsorts. In continental Europe, however, far stronger, saltier candies are preferred. It should be noted, though, that in most of these candies the taste is reinforced by aniseed oil, and the actual content of liquorice is quite low. Additionally, liquorice is found in some soft drinks (such as root beer), and is in some herbal teas where it provides a sweet aftertaste. The flavour is common in medicines to disguise unpleasant flavours.
Uh oh! Its a bit toxic! Excessive consumption of liquorice or liquorice candy is known to be toxic to the liver[7] and cardiovascular system, and may produce hypertension and edema.[8] There have been occasional cases where blood pressure has increased with excessive consumption of licorice tea, but such occasions are rare and reversible when the herb is withdrawn.
And some parts of the world have never heard of it at all!! LET THE LICORICE LIVE!!! - all over the world!!
However.. I LOVE THIS SHIT.. mmm 
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