Is Liquorice Allsorts Real Liquorice? Unpacking the Ingredients

The black sections of liquorice allsorts do indeed contain real liquorice extract, an ingredient known and used for over 2,000 years. However, the famous assortment's complete profile is a mix of many different confectionery components, leaving many to wonder if liquorice allsorts are real liquorice. The nuanced answer lies in understanding the full ingredient list.

Quick Summary

Liquorice allsorts contain authentic liquorice extract in their dark pieces, distinguishing them from purely anise-flavored sweets. The confectionery also incorporates ingredients like sugar, coconut, and fruit flavorings. The presence of real liquorice extract, alongside other components, defines its unique, complex flavor profile.

Key Points

• Contains Real Extract: Traditional Liquorice Allsorts include genuine liquorice extract, derived from the Glycyrrhiza glabra root, in their black-colored segments.

• Anise is a Factor: Not all 'liquorice' flavor in allsorts comes from real liquorice; some pieces, particularly the colorful 'spogs', use aniseed oil, which has a similar flavor due to the compound anethole.

• A Mix of Flavors: The bag is an assortment of different candies, with pieces featuring coconut, fruit flavors, and sugar paste in addition to the liquorice elements.

• Brand Variation Exists: Some manufacturers and alternative product lines sell 'allsorts' that omit the liquorice extract entirely, opting for only fruit or other flavors.

• Not a Purist's Liquorice: Unlike traditional black liquorice, which is singularly focused on the extract's flavor, allsorts offer a blend of tastes and textures, making them a more varied confection.

• History of Accident: Liquorice Allsorts were famously created by accident in 1899 by a Bassett's salesman who dropped his tray of samples.

The Core of Liquorice Allsorts: Liquorice and Beyond

At the heart of the matter, traditional Liquorice Allsorts, famously originating from Bassett's, do contain genuine liquorice extract. This extract is derived from the root of the Glycyrrhiza glabra plant, which has been prized for its natural sweetness and flavor for millennia. In the case of Allsorts, this extract provides the characteristic flavor and color to the black, chewy sections of the candy.

However, it's crucial to understand that liquorice is only one part of the Allsorts story. The mix is an assortment, and its diverse pieces are made from an array of other ingredients. These include:

• Sugar, molasses, and glucose syrup to provide sweetness and texture.
• Desiccated coconut, which is a key component of the popular layered coconut sandwiches.
• Gelatine or other gelling agents to create the chewy consistency.
• Flavourings, including fruit and aniseed oils, which produce the various other pieces in the bag.
• Natural colors derived from concentrates like beetroot red and curcumin.

The Aniseed Connection: A Common Point of Confusion

Many people confuse the flavor of liquorice with anise because the two are often used interchangeably in candies, especially in North America. Both liquorice extract and aniseed oil contain an organic flavoring compound called anethole, which is responsible for their similar taste and aroma. However, they come from entirely different plants. Liquorice is a root from the legume family, while anise is a fruit from the parsley family. Anise is often used as a cheaper, more accessible alternative to pure liquorice extract. In Liquorice Allsorts, some pieces, particularly the small, colorful buttons known as 'spogs,' often derive their flavor from aniseed jelly, not liquorice.

The Allsorts Assortment: Not All Are Created Equal

The variety in a bag of Liquorice Allsorts means not every piece is a liquorice candy. The assortment typically includes:

• Coconut Sandwiches: Layers of white or pink coconut-flavored fondant and a black liquorice layer.
• Cream Rock: Small, round pieces of white or pink fondant with a center of black liquorice.
• Buttons/Spogs: Small, colorful, jelly-like candies with an aniseed flavor.
• Liquorice Rolls: Solid, black, liquorice-flavored cylinders.
• Jelly Buttons: Flat, circular discs of various fruit flavours, sometimes topped with small, coloured balls.

As manufacturers have innovated, some companies have even created 'allsorts' that contain no liquorice at all, focusing purely on fruit flavors to appeal to a wider audience. This makes it essential for consumers to check the ingredients list if they are looking for the authentic liquorice flavor.

Liquorice Allsorts vs. Traditional Black Liquorice

To fully appreciate the role of liquorice in Allsorts, it helps to compare it with traditional, solid black liquorice candy. The table below outlines the key differences in their composition and flavor profile.

Feature	Traditional Black Liquorice	Liquorice Allsorts
Primary Flavor Source	Concentrated liquorice extract.	A combination of liquorice extract, aniseed oil, coconut, and fruit flavorings.
Flavor Complexity	Typically strong, bold, and singular liquorice taste.	Diverse and varied, with liquorice being just one of several prominent flavors in the mix.
Texture	Uniformly firm and chewy.	A mix of different textures, from the layered chew of the sandwiches to the smooth, softer buttons.
Aesthetic	Uniformly black or dark brown in color.	A vibrant mix of colors and shapes, created from different combinations of ingredients.
Ingredient Purity	Generally contains a higher concentration of liquorice extract, sometimes leading to a more intense flavor.	Contains a lower concentration of liquorice, blended with many other ingredients to create variety.

Conclusion: The Final Word on Allsorts and Real Liquorice

In short, the answer to the question, "Is liquorice allsorts real liquorice?" is a qualified yes. The traditional assortment, particularly brands like Bassett's, includes authentic liquorice extract in its black pieces. However, not every piece in the bag is a liquorice candy. The mix intentionally combines different flavors and textures, with some pieces, like the buttons, often using anise for its characteristic flavor, not liquorice. For the connoisseur, this distinction is important; for the casual fan, the variety is part of the fun. So, while Liquorice Allsorts contain real liquorice, they are a multi-faceted treat best enjoyed for their unique and diverse blend of tastes, not as a purist's liquorice experience. For more on the history of this sweet, visit the Wikipedia page on Liquorice allsorts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which pieces of Liquorice Allsorts contain real liquorice?

The black, chewy pieces, including the cylindrical rolls and the black layers in the layered sandwiches, contain real liquorice extract.

Is the liquorice flavor in all allsorts from real liquorice?

No. While the black parts use liquorice extract, other pieces, like the colorful 'spogs' or buttons, often use aniseed oil to achieve a similar flavor profile.

What is the difference between liquorice and anise?

Liquorice is a root from the legume family, while anise is a fruit from the parsley family. They share a similar flavor compound, anethole, which causes the confusion, but are botanically distinct.

Do any allsorts not have liquorice in them?

Yes, some brands and product variations offer 'allsorts' that are purely fruit-flavored and do not contain any liquorice extract.

Why do some people dislike liquorice allsorts?

The divisive taste is often attributed to the strong, pungent flavor of either the liquorice extract itself or the aniseed oil. The unique combination of flavors and textures can also be polarizing.

Are Liquorice Allsorts a purely British candy?

Liquorice Allsorts originated in Britain, created by Bassett's in Sheffield. However, they are popular and produced in many other countries, particularly in Europe, Australia, and South Africa.

Is there a health risk from consuming too much liquorice in allsorts?

The amount of liquorice extract in allsorts is generally not enough to cause health issues from moderate consumption. However, pure liquorice extract contains glycyrrhizin, which can cause blood pressure issues in large quantities. Regular sweets do not pose this risk.

What are all the main ingredients in Liquorice Allsorts?

Beyond liquorice extract, the common ingredients include sugar, treacle, wheat flour, coconut, gelatine, various flavorings (like aniseed oil), and food colorings.