mediterranean plant with liquorice flavoured seeds Seeds for Roman Liquorice Root (Glycyrrhiza echinata)

mediterranean plant with liquorice flavoured seeds Seeds for Roman Liquorice Root (Glycyrrhiza echinata)SEEDS (6 pcs bag) Common names: Roman Licorice Root, Russian Licorice, German Licorice Scientific name: Glycyrrhiza echinata Family: Fabaceae Plant history & use: Characteristic of Roman Licorice Root is: Originally from southern Europe and parts of Asia. Has a long history as a medicinal plant and is used as a sweet treat. Used to produce Russian and German licorice. Hardy down to 20 C. Grows to a height of 1 2 meters. Licorice root has a long

SEEDS (6 pcs/bag)

Common names: Roman Licorice Root, Russian Licorice, German Licorice
Scientific name: Glycyrrhiza echinata
Family: Fabaceae

Plant history & use:

Characteristic of Roman Licorice Root is:

• Originally from southern Europe and parts of Asia.
• Has a long history as a medicinal plant and is used as a sweet treat.
• Used to produce Russian and German licorice.
• Hardy down to -20 ºC.
• Grows to a height of 1-2 meters.

Licorice root has a long history both as a medicinal plant and as a sweet treat. Already in 4000 BC it was used by the Assyrians and since then licorice root has been used for, among other things, calming nerves, relieving colds, and fighting other viral infections. Licorice root was sold at pharmacies as medicine as late as the 1970s.

One of the most prominent uses of licorice root by our ancestors was chewing the root to keep teeth clean and healthy. This was done because the substance glycyrrhizin found in the roots has antibacterial properties. It is also the substance that gives the sweet taste. However, glycyrrhizin is not metabolized in our bodies and can therefore, just like Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana), be used as a blood sugar-friendly substitute for sugar.

The root can be shredded and made into tea. You can also make a refreshing drink served with ice. In Mongolia, the leaves of licorice root are used as a substitute for regular Tea (Camellia sinensis).

The root can also be ground/crushed to cook your own licorice. Mix with sugar/syrup, flour, and anise in a pot and bring to a boil.

Licorice root is also often used together with anise to flavor alcoholic beverages.

Cultivation:

Licorice root grows naturally in southern Europe and parts of Asia.

The Roman Licorice Root is hardy down to -20 ºC. In most parts of Sweden, it can be grown outdoors year-round. To protect the plant during winter, cover the base with twigs, leaves, straw, or similar. By winter covering your plant, it is possible to create a place where it thrives even if your growing region lies outside its stated growing zone.

Licorice root can also be grown in a wide pot, placed outdoors during the warmer months and indoors during the colder months.

In Sweden, it can be grown both in pots and in open ground but in the latter case must be winter covered with e.g. twigs, leaves, or straw.

The roots, which are the part used for consumption, grow to meter lengths so a large pot is recommended for pot cultivation. It takes about 3 years for licorice root to be ready for harvest and during that time it grows into a fairly large bush.

Licorice root thrives best in well-drained soil and locations with full sun.

Sowing:

The seeds can be sown outdoors directly in open ground when the soil temperature is above 15 ºC. You can also start seedlings indoors throughout the year. Place in a bright window.

Soak the seeds for 1 day before sowing. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil and keep the sowing moist.

Characteristics:

Lifespan: Perennial
Growing site: sun
Height: 1-2 m
Germination time: 1-3 months
Growing zone: 1-3