Does Liquorice Go Bad?

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Liquorice root is famous worldwide for its herbal uses and benefits. It has important health advantages as it is used to cure sore throat and allergies. Liquorice is found in many forms, including liquorice tea, candies, extracts and capsules.

It has been popular both in Asia and Europe. It is also used as a refreshing flavouring agent for various foods and drinks. Now, an important question here is that does liquorice go bad? If yes, then how does it go bad and, how can you prevent it. Continue reading the article to know the answers to these questions.

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How to store liquorice?

Being a herb, liquorice is easy to store and maintains a long shelf life. It continues to stay fresh if provided with the appropriate temperature conditions. It should neither be stored at high temperatures nor very cold temperatures.

The fresh herb lasts longer and stays fresh for long. However, you can also dry it for use in tea and extracts. Storing the dried herb is comparatively easy. Liquorice can be stored by different methods without giving you a tough time. Below is a list of some simple methods of storing liquorice.

Store in the pantry

It is better to store liquorice in a place that does not have fluctuations in temperature. When it is exposed to very cool temperatures, it loses its moisture and becomes hard. Your kitchen cabinet or pantry is a good option and keeps the liquorice fresh for months.

Store in an air-tight container

An even better idea to store liquorice is to place it in an air-tight container or a jar. Make sure your container is sealed to prevent the growth of molds. Use air-tight containers for the best results.

Refrigerate

It is not good to refrigerate fresh liquorice as it does not go well in cold environments. It tends to go hard as time passes. Commercially packaged liquorice, however, can be stored in the refrigerator. It comes with a best before the date which, should be checked before using the herb. Well stored liquorice can last for about six to eight months in your refrigerator.

Can you freeze liquorice?

Freezing liquorice should not be your first priority as liquorice can stay fresh otherwise, too. However, if you do not have enough space in your kitchen, you can always go for the freezing option. Freezing liquorice requires some steps mentioned as follows.

Cut the liquorice and divide it into small portions.
Spread the herbs on a cookie tray or a baking sheet.
Freeze them overnight on the baking sheet
Transfer the frozen herb into an air-tight container or a plastic bag.

Before using the frozen liquorice, defrost it by placing it at room temperature. An important thing to remember is that frozen liquorice does not retain its original texture. It loses its freshness and aroma if frozen for long.

How long does liquorice last?

The shelf life of liquorice does not vary much with the storage methods. If properly stored, it stays fresh to some extent by all possible methods. Isn’t it a bonus? For sure, it is. As far as the shelf life of the herb is concerned, it will last for about six to eight months if kept at room temperature. Storage in the pantry also gives the same results.

If you have stored your liquorice in the refrigerator, the shelf life will again probably be the same or can vary to a small extent. Properly frozen, liquorice maintains its quality for about twelve months in the freezer. Thus, how you store liquorice is completely up to you. You will get the best results no matter which method you choose for storing the herb.

How to tell if liquorice has gone bad?

Although liquorice has excellent storage ability, it tends to go bad. Like all other herbs, it does not maintain its original texture and flavor and cannot benefit you anymore. You can check if your liquorice has gone bad by looking for the following signs.

If your liquorice has gone bad, it acquires an off smell
It loses its texture and appearance and appears spotted.
If molds grow into your liquorice, it is not a good sign
It loses its refreshing flavour and may not have any taste at all.

If you cross any of such signs, throw away your liquorice. Consumption of spoiled herb can be a hazard to your health. Liquorice has many culinary and health benefits. It is used as a herbal treatment for many diseases. It also adds to the flavour of your food items. Storing liquorice is not a difficult task. It can be stored easily by all the methods discussed above. If you store it correctly, you can enjoy its countless benefits for a long.