268592 Tue Jun 22 00:52:48 -0700 1999 11 17 What's My Craving? 0 1415046 As I reached over to my package of strawberry Twizzlers, it occurred to me that there must be much better licorice available. I've had some good imported black licorice before, but have forgotten brands. Is there any equivalent better strawberry version? Not looking for freaky flavors. Strawberry or "black" would do fine. And I have a strong preference for licorice with texture and some toughness. Thanks. Tue Jun 22 00:52:48 -0700 1999 0 Dave Feldman 1 1415047 My two faves are: the cardboard box with the panda on it (I forget the brand name but it's widely available), which comes in both black and red; and the little round tin, brand name Tabu, which is not chewy licorice but rather strongly anise-flavored hard candy. If you go to Melampo imports on Sullivan or Thompson, one of the two, between Prince and Spring, he has a wide selection of good licorice, as I recall. Tue Jun 22 09:15:02 -0700 1999 1415046 0 Jeremy 2 1415053 "Panda" is the brand name of the licorice with the panda on the box, and I second the recommendation. It has a very intense molasses flavor, which I love. Wed Jun 23 18:02:22 -0700 1999 1415047 0 Tom Hilton 1 1415048 As far as I can tell, most really good licorice comes from Holland. There are a zillion kinds, varying in softness/hardness, intensity, and saltiness. Some of the stronger types can have a sort of ammonia-like aroma. This is not a flaw, but the result of one of the salts used in preparation. Ask a licorice devotee, and you will be told there's no such thing as strawberry licorice. A few types, which seem to be made by more than one manufacturer, although the characteristics seem consistent across brands. Please pardon my possible misspelling of the Dutch: kokindjes: soft, sweet, button-shaped. Mild ammonia. Katjes: Cat-shaped, chewy, strong-flavored, not salty. No ammonia. These are my favorites. Don't know official names for these: Coins: Strong, chewy, salty. Faint ammonia. Cubes: Tan-brown, texture of an extra-firm marshmallow covered in granulated sugar. Strong, not so sweet. Broomsticks: Short lace-type. Black and soft, with a dark brown, slightly crumbly filling, covered in salt, very strong-flavored. Yum. Double-salted: Hard, black, diamond-shaped. Extra-salty, extra ammonia-y. An acquired taste. Will revive the faint. The Italian stuff in the round tin looks like little black rocks and tastes like them too. Most places will give you samples if you ask. Two good places to get licorice: Broadway Nut House (I think) 80th & Broadway, across from Zabars, next to Gryphon Books. Not sure of the name, but another candy store at 7th Avenue and 15th Street. Tue Jun 22 10:14:50 -0700 1999 1415046 0 MU 2 1418583 MU, It is now almost two years since you posted a wonderful list of licorice recommendations, and I wanted you to know that in the intervening time, I've not only tried all of your recommendations, but came to the same conclusion -- my favorites are the katjes, and your description was perfect: "Cat shaped, chewy, strong-flavored, not salty. No ammonia." These are the exact characteristics I prefer in licorice, with the addendum, "not too sweet." The folks at Broadway Nut Shop (80th/81st and Broadway) have been great about letting me sample all the ones you mentioned and more. Thanks again, DF Thu Jun 07 00:16:24 -0700 2001 1415048 0 Dave Feldman 3 1418585 yeah, MU put a useful list of licorice together but i still hold a grudge for saying the italian stuff in tin cans tastes like "black rocks" Thu Jun 07 17:44:17 -0700 2001 1418583 0 fusilli 1 1415050 As far as generally available commercial products go, Basset's, which comes from England, I believe, is a very acceptable alternative. It is not as exotic as the others suggested, but it is pretty widely available. Tue Jun 22 23:40:47 -0700 1999 1415046 0 bluefrog 1 1415052 Thanks to all for the licorice help. While I'm fussy about many foods, it surprises me when I don't seem to care much about the quality of another. Many of these suggestions sound great. Wed Jun 23 12:15:38 -0700 1999 1415046 0 Dave Feldman 1 1415078 Far better than Twizzlers but not as exotic, by the sound of them, as some of the other varieties suggested, would be the licorice they package and sell at Eli's and the Vinegar Factory. Might suit you if you're looking for a tough chewiness but not too much sugar. I like the strawberry but they make chocolate and possibly "black" too... Tue Jun 29 01:48:15 -0700 1999 1415046 0 kele 1 1415092 I was just offered some Danish licorice by a Danish girl two days ago that was truly unique, incredibly salty and tangy. The licorice came in a tin, all different animal shapes (like animal crackers). I can't recommend this product, but it was an experience. Fri Jul 02 10:19:45 -0700 1999 1415046 0 Rachel Hope 2 1415093 just came by chance upon a site with dutch food products located in Canada that offers many, many sorts of licorice by mail. Its www.dutchmarket.com. Had no idea that licorice came in so many varieties. Fri Jul 02 14:36:19 -0700 1999 1415092 0 jen kalb 1 1416993 You can find the most delicious black licorice from Germany at http://www.germandeli.com ... I am also a licorice lover and have been getting my treats from them for about a year now. Good hunting! Enjoy! Sat Sep 30 12:18:37 -0700 2000 1415046 0 Rosi