Atri liquorice

Liquorice comes from the roots of Glycyrrhiza glabra, a plant that grows wild in the Abruzzo countryside. A juice is extracted from the roots and, once concentrated, becomes the shiny black paste of pure liquorice.

In Atri processing is an old tradition: since 1836 the town has been home to Menozzi De Rosa, one of the few 19th-century Italian liquorice companies still active, known for its Tabù sweets.

Atri is a historic town on the hills of the province of Teramo, a few kilometres from the sea, also famous for its cathedral and badlands. Liquorice grew wild in the surrounding countryside, providing the raw material.

1. Liquorice roots are dug up, washed and cut into pieces.
2. They are crushed and boiled for a long time in water to extract the juice.
3. The juice is filtered and reduced by cooking until it becomes a thick black paste.
4. The paste is worked while still warm and shaped into wheels, sticks, pastilles and «little fish».
5. Some becomes powder or paste for confectionery, sweets and liqueurs.

As well as on its own, liquorice goes into many sweet and even savoury recipes.

• Pure, in pastilles or wheels, after a meal
• In liquorice liqueurs and digestifs
• In ice creams, semifreddi, biscuits and chocolate
• In small amounts, as a spice, with meat and risottos

• Keep it in a closed jar, dry and away from heat.
• Sugar-free pure liquorice tastes intense and slightly bitter: try it in small pieces.
• People with high blood pressure or who are pregnant should eat it in moderation.
• Read the label: the percentage of liquorice extract tells you how «pure» it is.

The image is an illustration drawn for abruzzoparchi.it: we could not find free photos showing the Abruzzo product itself. If you have a photo to share, write to us.

Liquorice has been gathered in Abruzzo since Roman times. In the Middle Ages, in Atri, Dominican friars extracted juice from the roots growing wild in the area and used it as a remedy.

In the 19th century processing became an industry: in 1836 the liquorice factory now known as Menozzi De Rosa was founded in Atri. Until 2004 production was in the old town centre; today it is in a modern plant in the industrial area.