National Licorice Day
About National Licorice Day
When is National Licorice Day? This holiday is always celebrated on April 12
Well, aren’t we lucky!? Today is National Licorice Day. Licorice is one of the world’s favorite flavors. On this April 12 holiday, it is only fitting that we take a day to appreciate this great-tasting herb… that’s right, Licorice is an herb. Licorice has been used for foods and medicinally, since ancient times. It was found in King Tut’s tomb.
Licorice is best known for the candy that bears its name. But, it flavors many other things, including tea, many foods and desserts, alcohol, and even tobacco products. You will even find licorice in cosmetics.
Did You Know? Anise and licorice have a similar taste. But, aside from a similar taste there is no relation.
Since ancient times, licorice has been used medicinally around the world, for a wide range of ailments. For this reason alone, licorice earns the right to have a special day of recognition. Medicinal uses include: It is a natural laxative, relieves menstrual cramps and discomfort of menopause, relieves pain and discomfort from ulcers, is good for the adrenal gland, and cancer treatments for the breast and prostate. It even lowers the effect of aging on the brain.
Licorice Trivia
As you chew on your favorite flavor of licorice stick, chew on this licorice trivia:
- Licorice flavor comes from the root of the licorice plant.
- Licorice contains a small amount of licorice flavoring. However, the main flavoring ingredient is anise.
- Besides licorice flavor, candy makers produce other flavors of licorice including cherry, cinnamon, raspberry, strawberry, and more.
- Licorice root contains a substance called glycyrrhizin. It is 50 times sweeter than ordinary sugar.
- The Guinness World Record for the longest licorice string was set on April 4, 2012. Lakritsfabriken and Scandi Candy Company in Sweden produced it. The licorice took 12 people 3 hours and 14 minutes to make a string of licorice 1,702 feet 9 inches long.
- Spain is the largest producer.
- It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 4,000 years.
How to Celebrate National Licorice Day
It’s easy to participate in National Licorice Day.
- Go get some licorice candy or anything that has licorice flavoring in it…… and enjoy!
- Gardeners, plan to grow licorice in your garden this year.
This Day in History
Here are some things that happened on this day:
- The Civil War begins when Confederate troops opened fire on the Union garrison at Fort Sumter, SC. They fired 40,000 shells before the Union troops surrendered. No one was killed. (1862)
- Mount Washington Observatory records the highest surface wind ever measured, anywhere on earth— 231 miles per hour! See Big Wind Day (1934)
- Author Tom Clancy was born on this day in 1947.
Today's Quote
“If you’re not learning, you’re not living.” – – Kevin James
History and Origin of National Licorice Day
In 2004, Licorice International created this special holiday to promote its line of licorice candies. While Licorice International created his day for commercial purposes, licorice lovers, like you and me, will agree that licorice deserves its day of recognition and appreciation.
Many internet sources call this a “National” day. However, we did not find any congressional records or presidential proclamations for this day. And oddly, being created by Licorice International, one would think they’d name this day “International” Licorice Day.
Definition of “National” Days – and why it is so important to distinguish true National days.
Related Holiday
People who like this holiday will also like:
More April 12 Holidays
Here are more April 12 holidays you will enjoy:
Big Wind Day – this day blows me away!
International Day of Human Space Flight / Russian Cosmonaut Day
More About Today
Flower of the Day: Broom Corn
Recipe of the Day: Asparagus with Chive Sauce
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Did You Know? There are literally thousands of daily holidays, special events, and observances, more than one for every day of the year. and many of these holidays are new. People and organizations are creating new holidays regularly. April holidays are no exception. Consequently, at Holiday Insights, we take great efforts to thoroughly research and document the details of each one, as completely and accurately as possible.