Try http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/todo_now/liquorice.php , Myron. I recall Pontefract cakes from childhood and had read not so long ago that a farmer was growing liquerice again in that part of the world .... if he can I'm sure you can too.Do let us know how you get on. :-)

Well it was grown commercially in Yorkshire until about 100 years ago and I believe a farmer near Pontefract started growing it again last year. You can buy the plant so good luck!

I loved liquorice root as a child, sold in woody sticks that we
chewed on.......wonder what it did to our teeth!

I have to admit not knowing that liquorice came from plants, never mind growing it in the UK. That is why this site is good as you learn :)

I also remember buying these as a child, but I seem to remember the price was 1 old penny, but if this farmer thinks he can get £1 a stick, good luck to him, {I certainly will not be buying any, lol} Derek.

I read the article that Bilbobaggins mentioned about Mr. Copley starting the only liquorice farm over here. I thought that £1 for a 6 inch stick was a bit over the top and I don't think he's research this. I pay 20p per stick from a stall on Bury market, or I can get it pre-chopped and vacuum packed from a Chinese supermarket for a little bit more.

I'm thinking of growing my own now and undercutting him. This time next year we'll be millionaires Rodney :o)

Looking at t'web there's a real resurgence for it - from the 'raw' sticks through to the coloured straws. Real stuff seems to sell for about £5 for 12 sticks but they don't say how big the sticks are - not very at a guess.

It's great for sore throats and upset stomachs.

So, is there a difference in flavour, or liquorice extraction from the wood and the roots? The way I understand it is that the woody branches, which is what I have been using, can be cut from the plant at any time of year. But the root, which grows many feet below the ground is sweeter, but the way I see it is that using the root would be the end of the plant. Am I right, and what should I do, use the root or the wood?

One old penny sounds about right, although maybe expensive when a lb of old potatoes was 4d....it was the local green grocer who sold the liquorice root.....