Palo Licorice (Palulú)

Licorice stick, also known as palulu, has its origin in Southern Europe. It is the rhizome of the licorice plant, that is, the root in its natural state. Once washed and free of you can enjoy its delicious flavor. In our greengrocer in Madrid you can buy the best licorice stick or palulú to accompany and give a different touch to your meals.

It is very common to find licorice stick in different fields growing wild. The palulu belongs to the perennial plant Glycyrrhiza glabra and is very useful to give flavor and aroma to different foods.

Nutritional information of licorice stick or palulú

Licorice is a great source of vitamins such as vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B3 (niacin), vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) and vitamin E (tocopherol). It is also rich in minerals such as phosphorus, iron, magnesium, zinc, calcium, choline, potassium, silicon and selenium.

what is licorice?

Licorice is a plant belonging to the Fabaceae family of plants, which can reach 1 to 2 meters in height. The roots of this plant are sweeter than common sugar, which is why in Ancient Egypt the roots were used to prepare teas. In addition, it is said to be beneficial to health and therefore was used to combat various diseases.

what is the scientific name of licorice?

The licorice stick or palulu is a herbaceous plant with branched, deep, woodyroots. Its scientific name is Glycyrrhiza glabra, from the Greek glykyrrhza meaning "sweet root".

Properties of licorice stick

Palulu has several medicinal properties for health: antibacterial, emollient, expectorant and anti-inflammatory.

• Its glycyrrhizic acid content can help fight depression and anxiety by acting on the adrenal gland.
• Licorice can alleviate premenstrual syndrome (cramps and discomfort). It also has salutary effects in menopause, due to its phytoestrogenic activity.
• Ithelps fight dry cough, asthma and bronchitis thanks to its antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Licorice root is useful for treating infections of the intestinal tract and digestive tract.
• Useful for treating cold sores.
• It is useful for relieving symptoms of atopic dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis..
• Licorice root is effective in reducing weight gain and fat accumulation.
• Licorice can prevent damage to healthy cells.

what is the flavor of licorice stick?

Paloduz or licorice stick has an anise-like, sweet flavor. In fact, it is considered sweeter than natural sugar.

where is licorice stick grown?

Licorice is grown in full sun in a Mediterranean climate and in Southeast Asia. It tends to grow in deep, sandy but fertile soils near rivers. It has many weak parts, but in short we will not have any problem during the winter as long as its roots are well protected from the cold.

In Spain it is cultivated mainly in riparian areas, mainly of the Ebro. Also the licorice or paloduz is cultivated in other countries, such as China, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Mexico..

On the other hand, the licorice season runs from October to March.

where to buy licorice in Madrid?

You can buy licorice in our physical fruit and vegetable store in Madrid, located in C/ Bolivia, 9, Bancas 2-8, Ground Floor, Mercado de Chamartin, we will be happy to welcome you! You can also do it through our online store.

Ideal conditions of consumption of licorice stick

The licorice stick or palulu can be used to prepare delicious dishes and can also be tasted naturally without any prior preparation:

• Chew or suck the licorice root to enjoy its flavor. Of course, it is not advisable to swallow licorice.
• Consume the licorice stick in infusion. You can cut the licorice sticks into small pieces and put them in your cup with hot water. Let it steep for about 3 minutes and then lsita.

Recipes with licorice sticks

In addition to eating the natural licorice stick, you can cook it to make delicious recipes. Here are some of them:

• Chicken with licorice sauce
• Chicken kebab with licorice
• Lamb loin with licorice
• Liquorice infusion
• Torrija with licorice sauce