Today I learnt...
As cynical and as jaded as I am it seems I'm still able to learn something new everyday. Today's revelation, though not particularly pleasant, was interesting enough to warrant sharing with you. It is to do with liquorice and those black sweets that I enjoyed chewing on as a little 'un.
I'd never really considered how they produced the squidgy, black putty, even after I eventually found out what the origin of the flavour looks like, a woody root. Also, I had been a bit confused about things like aniseed, star anise and their relationship to liquorice but there is none besides the flavour.
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Then there I was looking at ingredients on packets as I do, (and as you should too), when I noticed this list of ingredients. It seems that the main components of the confectionary is a mix of flour and molasses to which is added a dash of liquorice extract and a dash of aniseed oil. This makes perfect sense, though what you'll also notice on this particular packet is that it is made of natural ingredients.
As I've been writing this, I've been grimly aware of the fact that I haven't looked at what artificial rubbish is used in the composition of the cheaper versions. I'd better have a quick look and get back to you.
Phew! Fortunately it wasn't as horrific as I'd envisaged it could have been. The ones I looked at were still mainly molasses and flour but had added sugar and glucose as they're cheaper ingredients. There were, of course, allsorts (if you'll excuse the pun), of other flavourings and preservatives but the all contained actual liquorice and aniseed in some form. Consider this next time you fancy a nibble as very little of what you're eating is doing you any favours.
As a punchline I'll tell you I watched Comey giving evidence and as compelling as it was, the star of the show has to be John McCain.
Watch it if you're interested, he's totally lost it.
Kirk out
Chefsebastian.com
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