Where does liquorice come from?

In the 15th century, sweetwood was grown in Bamberg, Germany, and was an important industry for the town. The Bamberg Sweet Wood Society, founded in 2010, remembers its roots and is growing liquorice roots again on a small scale.

Sweetroot grows more abundantly in the Mediterranean region and in Central Asia. The use of liquorice roots is closely linked to the cultural history of mankind, as sources from early times show. In Egypt, liquorice roots were used as a burial gift to quench hunger and thirst on the last journey. Generals also used the root for this purpose on long marches. A lot has been brewed in medicinal and herbal cuisine in every era. However, sweetwood crystallised as an integral part of the "medicine chest" due to its positive effect on the throat and stomach. This is still true today.

Licorice root is known throughout the world as a medicinal herb. But licorice? Licorice as a sweet is a European phenomenon. Liquorice root grows in southern Europe, but liquorice is most popular in northern Europe. No liquorice recipe is impossible: mild, tart, salty, with salmiak, as a drink, finely ground for cooking and baking, as a sauce over ice cream? What liquorice snails are in Germany, liquorice bars are in Scandinavia, often with a fruity or salty filling.
The liquorice equator runs through Germany, dividing the preference for liquorice into north (yes!) and south (not necessary). We are home to the global player Haribo. Founded in 1920 and initially specialising in gold gummy bears, Hans Riegel from Bonn soon invented the liquorice snail, thereby shaping the taste for liquorice in this country. Together with southern Germany, Austria and Switzerland, there is a liquorice-free white spot, because liquorice is hardly liked in these regions – could it possibly be bear droppings?
Behind the Alps, liquorice continues to thrive. The root grows in Italy, France and Spain, and liquorice can also be found in food and drinks, chutneys and jams. A real enrichment, as our research trips have shown. At kadó, we show that liquorice tastes different in each of these countries and reflects the respective cultural preferences.

kadó, Germany's first liquorice shop, has accumulated a first-class European liquorice assortment. Since 1997, we have been importing original liquorice from Iceland to Sicily and presenting it in our online shop. You are cordially invited to choose which  liquorice mixture you would like to start with. The kadó mix takes you on a journey through the diversity of European liquorice. After that, we'll see...

1997 ... before! Internet. We have compiled some amusing and interesting facts about our company history here.