Liquorice Root, 25 g
Liquorice root is a treasured ingredient in craft brewing, lending its characteristic sweetness and earthy depth to a wide variety of beer styles. Its unique flavour profile creates a delightful balance and a touch of intrigue in every sip.
- Flavour Profile: Liquorice root is sweet, woody, and slightly bitter with hints of anise and a warm earthy undertone.
- Beer Styles: Ideal for stouts, porters, dark ales, and spiced winter brews, liquorice root adds complexity and richness. It can also complement herbal or spiced beers, amplifying their depth.
- How to Use Liquorice Root: Liquorice root can be added directly to the boil or steeped in the wort. It’s often used in small quantities due to its strong flavour, and brewers may experiment with whole roots, cut pieces, or powdered forms.
Description
What is Liquorice Root?
Liquorice root is derived from the Glycyrrhiza glabra plant, prized for its naturally sweet glycyrrhizin compound. This root has been cherished for centuries, not only for its distinctive taste but also for its medicinal properties and versatility in brewing.
Benefits of Liquorice Root
- Sweet and Aromatic Flavour: Liquorice root imparts a distinctive sweetness that complements the rich malt notes and balances hop bitterness.
- Complexity: Its unique flavour profile adds depth, making your beer more engaging and flavourful.
- Versatility: Liquorice root works across a wide variety of beer styles, making it an exciting ingredient for creative brewers.
Use in Beer Brewing
Liquorice root is suitable for an array of beer styles, including:
- Stout: This robust beer style benefits from liquorice root’s depth and complexity, harmonising beautifully with roasted malt flavours.
- Porter: Liquorice root adds a touch of sweetness and spice, enhancing the dark, rich character of porters.
- Experimental Brews: For adventurous brewers, liquorice root can bring unexpected and delightful flavour combinations to experimental recipes.
How to Use Liquorice Root
To achieve the best results with liquorice root, consider these steps:
- Addition: Add liquorice root during the last 5–10 minutes of the boil to extract its flavour and aroma without overpowering the beer.
- Quantity: A general guideline is 5–10 grams per 20 litres of wort, depending on the desired intensity.
- Monitoring: Keep an eye on flavour development during fermentation, as liquorice root can influence the final profile.
History:
Liquorice root has a storied past, dating back to ancient Egypt, China, and Greece, where it was valued for its health benefits and culinary versatility. In the brewing world, its use can be traced to traditional recipes in northern Europe, where it played a pivotal role in creating hearty and flavourful ales. Today, it remains a cherished ingredient among brewers seeking to craft unique and memorable beers.
Key Features:
Origin: Southern Europe and Asia
FLAVOUR PROFILE:
- Sweet
- woody
- earthy
- bitter
- anise