Very gourmet by nature, the Destination UP team takes you today through the history of licorice. This is one of the inseparable flavors of the territory! Although its medicinal virtues have been recognized and used since Antiquity, they have gradually given way to confectionery and sweets. In France, its industry was born in the 19th century in Moussac. Then imposed itself on Uzes, where it has stood the test of time.
Discover liquorice at Candy Museum
To retrace the history of this plant that has become a star, head to Candy Museum opened since 1996 on the site of the Ricqlès-Zan factories.
On the museum's program: raw materials, manufacturing processes, the evolution of candies... Licorice and candies will no longer hold any secrets for you! The visit is not only educational but also very fun and immersive. And new equipment is to be discovered!
Discovery of the medicinal properties of licorice
The therapeutic properties of licorice were discovered during Antiquity, by the Chinese and the Greeks. Licorice was then intended to stimulate their intellectual faculties.
“Licorice wood” is a root of a shrub. The latter belongs to the legume family and grows mainly in Mediterranean regions.
During Antiquity, new medicinal properties also emerged. Thanks to this, the first drugs saw the light of day.
Having virtues to facilitate digestion as well as to relieve throat and respiratory organ conditions, apothecaries have transformed these roots into gums, herbal teas or pastes.
At that time, liquorice was harvested in France, in the South and more particularly in Camargue.
Growth of liquorice manufacturing in Uzès
Faced with the success of this remedy, local production weakened and it was subsequently necessary to import it from Spain, Italy or the Middle East.
To remedy this problem, the first liquorice factories were created in the South of France.
Why the South of France? Because this location is strategic on many levels. First of all for meteorological reasons, because we can assure you that the weather there is hot and dry. Then also, thanks to the presence of multiple seaports.
In 1855, the licorice industry was born in Moussac and subsequently established itself in the town of Uzès. The latter has become a reference in the cultivation of liquorice. Indeed, by specializing in this, the town of Uzès has become the leading French manufacturer.
The international reputation of Uzès liquorice
Time has made its reputation. With the growth of transport and the proximity of Uzès to the medical faculty of Montpellier (the first medical faculty in the world to emerge), the liquorice trade grew and became essential. Thanks to this, and its high quality production, the reputation of licorice has risen to an international level. People from all over the world then travel to Uzès to taste and buy liquorice.
Throughout history, licorice has become much more than a medicinal source, giving way to confectionery and herbal teas. Many confectionery companies specialize in licorice, some having emerged locally.
It was in 1970 that the Ricqlès and Zan companies merged under the name “Ricqlès-Zan Companies”. They were joined in 1975 by the Florent company. Then, in 1986, Haribo bought this brand, and continues to benefit from the reputation of this candy even today.
Here is how the history of licorice evolved, from its medicinal virtues to the creation of confectionery.
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