Can sarsaparilla and sassafras be substituted with licorice root?
I am trying to make root beer using natural ingredients, but sarsaparilla and sassafras root are difficult to get in my area.
I found root beer recipes that used licorice root as an ingredient, and I was able to order some online. However, right from opening the package, it did not smell in any way like licorice or anything remotely evocative of root beer. I tried to boil it as instructed in the recipe, but the aroma did not improve. It actually smells kind of earthy and, in my opinion, kind of gross.
The resulting drink was weak and largely flavourless. So I'm wondering, did I get possibly the wrong type of licorice root, or perhaps a bad batch? Or is licorice root a different thing than the kind of high intensity licorice one might get in a candy?
I did see this other question about making licorice extract, which leads me to believe that licorice root might be inappropriate for making root beer, but then I have to wonder why any online recipes might use it as a main ingredient for root beer.
Is licorice root suitable for making a root beer like drink? If so, are there any special processing or source considerations?
Best Answer
liquorice root is suitable for making a root beer drink. It is important to note that most liquorice candy is actually flavoured with aniseed, which is the source of the intense flavour. however in answer to your question the following link will provide you with a natural, healthy recipe that uses liquorice root to create a root beer. http://www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/licorice-root-beer-recipe-zmaz04djzsel.aspx#axzz3QBIpu06t
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Is sassafras the same as licorice?
Sassafras is the plant with the botanical name Sassafras albidum, which is native to eastern North America and eastern Asia. Licorice/Liquorice is the plant with the botanical name Glycyrrhiza glabra, native to Western Asia, North Africa and Southern Europe.Is sarsaparilla a liquorice?
The difference between our Sarsaparilla and the rest of the worlds' is in the brewing. Our Sarsaparilla is a rich, complex drink using liquorice root, ginger root, vanilla bean, sarsaparilla root and molasses. We take these real ingredients and brew them over three days, creating a unique and wonderful flavour!What is the difference between sassafras and sarsaparilla?
Both beverages are named after their distinct differences in ingredients when they were first made. Sarsaparilla was made from the Sarsaparilla vine, while Root Beer, roots of the sassafras tree. These days, Root Beer recipes do not include sassafras as the plant has been found to cause serious health issues.What can I use instead of licorice root?
Can You Use Anise Extract to Replace Licorice Flavoring? To substitute Anise Extract for Licorice Flavor, use 1 teaspoon of anise extract for 1 teaspoon of licorice extract.Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.