Turkmenistan is the country rich in many types of mineral, especially hydrocarbon, and vegetable raw materials. Among the latter, a special place belongs to licorice, which is often equated to the healing power of ginseng root, used in Chinese folk medicine as a reliable and proven way to prolong human life.
Growing in the country, its four varieties are distinguished by a large number of vitamins and biologically active natural compounds and are in great demand abroad. Licorice root, its thick and dry extracts are imported by China, Russia, the United States, France, Great Britain, India, Serbia, the United Arab Emirates, South Korea and other countries.
Licorice has been known to people for several millennia it was even found in the tomb of Tutankhamun. It has bactericidal, expectorant and antispasmodic properties, helps with gastrointestinal and colds. For medicinal purposes, licorice preparations are also used for allergic dermatitis and diabetes, and many European dentists consider licorice as a good remedy for caries.
It is said that one of the greatest generals of antiquity, Alexander the Great, provided his troops with supplies of licorice root during long jihads due to the excellent thirst-quenching properties of this plant.
In Turkmenistan, licorice is used to produce various types of therapeutic and prophylactic agents used for coughs and diseases of the upper respiratory tract.
Besides being used for pharmaceutical purposes, licorice is widely used in the food, especially confectionary industry, while it is called licorice.Today, there are a lot of different products made from licorice licorice candies, marmalade, lollipops, pellets, straws, sticks, a variety of drinks, and much more, among which there is even spaghetti.
Sweets and other products consisting of licorice are distinguished not only by a specific memorable taste and aroma, but also by wonderful properties for our body.
They owe their birth, first of all, to the Finns, who came up with the idea of getting an extract from the peeled, boiled and soaked licorice root. They learned how to make sweets, cakes, pies, cookies, ice cream, marinades, compotes, cocktails, jelly, as well as salt fish, add to mulled wine, make liqueur and vodka from this extract.
Then the initiative was taken up by the Italians, Dutch, and Danes. In Italy, licorice is called black gold, and in the Calabria region there is even a Licorice Museum named after Giorgio Amarelli, which is a local tourist attraction.
Licorice was also seen the true value by the British, Germans and Americans, who have long recognized its excellent properties, unforgettable taste and healing qualities. In European countries, licorice is loved as sugary sweets, and in Scandinavian countries preferred salty.
The Finnish product salmiakki is a black delicacy with a special sweet and salty taste.The founder in the production of this unusual delicacy is considered to be the famous Finnish entrepreneur and pastry chef Karl Fazer.
It was Fazer who launched the production of small diamond-shaped plates in 1897.The concept of salmiak as a food product appeared from these plates, because the rhombus in Finnish sounds like “salmiakki”.
At first, this word was a trademark, but then it became a common name for all such treats.
Despite all the advantages and benefits of licorice sweets and other confectionery products based on licorice, experts warn that it is dangerous to abuse them. They are forbidden to eat pregnant and lactating women. Sweets with salted liquorice are not recommended for people with water-salt imbalance, kidney disease and hypertension.
Licorice is also used in the economic sphere and for technical purposes.As a foaming agent, licorice root is used in metallurgy, as well as in mixtures for fire extinguishers.
Licorice is included as compound of writing ink, drawing ink, shoe polish.Decoction from the roots colors sheep’s wool.In the textile industry, it is used as a paint fixative.