ZAGARESE Organic Licorice Extract with Anise flavor, Small Hard Bits, Bold Licorice Treat, Sugar-Free, Gluten-Free, 0.7 oz Box

I noticed lots of reviews saying its too small, has a nasty taste, it"s hard as a rock, hard to chew, etc. Remember, these are not candy licorice, not like those nasty twisted wax sticks that have like 1 - 3% licorice with little flavor, this stuff is 100% pure medicinal grade licorice. The pellets are tiny for a reason, they are very strong tasting. So strong in fact that it says a single pellet could be used to brew a tea or put in a capsule to be taken as a supplement. Im pretty sure these arent meant to be chewed or bitten into, instead, let it disolve in your mouth. Taste (In my experience) These have a moderate astringentness, a little bit of bitterness and that almost sickly sweet licorice taste with some hints of mollasses and slight hint of spice. Anything i drink after eating one of these will have a sweetened taste for a few minutes. WARNING: Pure licorice can potentially be dangerous if it is taken for too long or in too high of a dosage. Real licorice contains glyzerizmic acid, which is said to be 40x sweeter than sugar/glucose but this chemical can drop your potassium levels to dangerous levels if too much is ingested at once or over a long period of time, i also heard this chemical could activate cortisol release, further causing complications if you were to take too much. There was a case where a person liked to eat licorice candy everyday for years, but he must have eventually gotten hold of real licorice, he ate too much of it thinking it was just candy, then he fell to the floor, convulsed and lost consciousness, his heart stopped multiple times in the ambulance, the hospital did everything they could, but unfortunately did not make it. You can find more info on this case on the YouTube Channel "ChubbyEmu"

I order from amazon every week and have for years. I believe this is only the second negative review I have ever made. So you know I feel very strongly about this review. I believe this produce is misleading. The images shown appear to be the same size as regular licorice packages. However this package is only .88oz. That's right less than 1 ounce. Now I accept the blame for not looking at the number of ounces in the package. My bad.. Ok, I am very disappointed in the size but I am still trying to make this a positive experience. Maybe, the taste is so amazing that it is worth putting into my purse as a special treat every now and then. No, I am sorry these do not taste good at all and I am not picky. The texture is like crunching on a tiny rock or piece of glass. And the taste can not redeem the poor texture. I tried to think of one redeeming quality for this product, but I can't. I would not consider this as a healthy supplement. In my opinion it is over priced, has a poor taste and texture.

I’ve experienced remarkable health benefits from using Zagarese 100% Organic Licorice with Anise. Since incorporating it into my routine, I’ve noticed significant improvements in heartburn and acid reflux. While I absolutely love its bold and intense licorice flavor, it’s worth noting that this taste might not appeal to everyone—it’s truly for the dedicated licorice enthusiast. Licorice root has been renowned for its medicinal properties since ancient times, with documented uses spanning from Greece and Rome to the Middle Ages and beyond. Based on my research, licorice root serves as a natural remedy for ulcers and may also support leaky gut health. A study published in the Journal of Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology highlights that licorice can help the body regulate cortisol—the stress hormone—more effectively, offering much-needed relief for the adrenal glands. This makes it a powerful adaptogen, aiding in stress response and overall wellness. It’s important to emphasize that this licorice is not the sugary version commonly found in candy stores. It’s a treat for true licorice purists, with a robust, intense flavor that reflects its purity. This licorice is 100% organic, gluten-free, non-GMO, and completely sugar-free—containing no added sweeteners. What sets it apart is its exceptional quality: it’s made from fresh juice extracted from carefully selected licorice plant roots, resulting in a truly prestigious and unique product. If you’re a real licorice lover seeking a pure and health-focused option, this is as good as it gets! This licorice is also available by the kilo at amazon from the same company. Search for "ZOT Organic Licorice Root Extract With Anise In Bulk, 2.2 Pound" Update Feb 3, 2025 One reviewer wrote "WARNING: Pure licorice can potentially be dangerous if it is taken for too long or in too high of a dosage." I asked the question to Marco, the Zagarese and ZOT manufacturer. To clear confusion, here is what Marco wrote to me "I am pleased to share some important information about deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) and what makes our licorice unique. Different species of licorice plants—and even those of the same species grown in different parts of the world—vary in their glycyrrhizin content. Much of the raw licorice imported into the United States for medicinal and other uses, for example, comes from China and typically contains glycyrrhizin levels of 15% to 24%. Our Italian licorice has a lower glycyrrhizin content but is often less commercially viable due to higher costs. It is worth noting that many “licorice” candy in the U.S. does not contain actual licorice. Instead, the flavor is derived from an entirely different herb called anise. While glycyrrhizin contributes to the traditional health benefits of licorice, excessive amounts can lead to undesirable effects, such as elevated blood pressure, potassium loss, and fluid retention caused by sodium retention. To mitigate these risks, glycyrrhizin is often removed through a chemical process, creating deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL). However, this process alters the natural balance of compounds in the licorice extract, meaning such products cannot be labeled or marketed as “organic.” What sets our licorice apart is its origin. Our licorice comes from Glycyrrhiza glabra, grown in southern Italy. With a naturally low glycyrrhizin content averaging just 3% to 4%, there is no need for deglycyrrhizination. Furthermore, our licorice is cultivated exclusively using organic methods. Our Italian company has been producing pure licorice extract as its sole product since 1886. Thanks to this dedication to tradition and quality, Phyto-Plus is proud to offer the world’s only certified organic licorice extract with a naturally low glycyrrhizin content—free from chemical processing. Please find attached a file detailing the many uses of our organic licorice extracts. We are committed to providing the highest quality products and look forward to serving you. "

I didn't realize how small this would be. It's kind of expensive for how small you get. The taste is like strong licorice, which is to be expected. I think the anise adds more bitterness. For those who like a chewy texture, these are hard. I expected them to be flexible and chewy. Overall, I was disappointed in the size, quantity, and texture. I won't be buying more, but it's good I at least tried it. The strong licorice taste is ok in itself.

I’ve seen reviews saying “disgusting” or “I had spit it out una few seconds”. Well, these are probably people who expected the candy flavor of licorice. Those candies are mostly sugars (melassa) and just a tiny 3% of licorice extract. Sometimes even a small amount of anice, which is extracted from fennel seeds and has nothing to deal with licorice. Licorice is a bush and it’s extract is from the roots. In fact, you can also buy those roots and chew them (that’s kind of weird to me too). These are not candies. These are little blocks of pure extract from those roots; that means nearly 100% of licorice, no sugars, no gelatins, no oil or flavors. So, obviously is a completely different and way more intense licorice flavor and many can’t stand it. You’re not wrong, just be aware it’s a very intense taste and you may not like it. However, crush one or two of these and dissolve them in hot water, or use them to make a small batch of ice cream and you will get the licorice flavor you like. Licorice is extremely healthy and if pure, it’s obviously more effective. The price is offensive. I’m from Italy where you can buy pure licorice in any convincentesi store for maybe $2... but hey, this is not Italy :)

Product stains badly including teeth! Though at times I find the flavor ok real licorice is usually very sweet naturally. These "licorice " bits are incredibly bitter ....I really wish there was something redeemable ;ie; Bitterness and tooth staining par non...nope never recommending never reordering....instead of bits of licorice sweet natual pleasure, you may as well suck on an aspirin tablet without staining your teeth...awful!!! Truly disappointed 😞 😪 😔

I have purchased these a few times and I really enjoy them for both their strong flavor and their digestive properties. However the last box I received had a different flavor than the others. Specifically a strong flavor of rubbing alcohol. I have sampled two different orders side by side and notice the strange flavor in the most recent order. I will give them another chance and order a new box to see if the quality is back to its original quality.

People are confused thinking this is to be used as candy. This pure licorice has many health benefits and is to be used as an herbal remedy in moderation. It has greatly improved my health and life. Will buy again.