Liquorice root

[swright81076]

While in Richmond today I bought a piece of liquorice root. Not to chew, but as a bushcrafters, to use for fire craft.

A 1 inch piece was broken off the end and shredded. I added nothing to it to help.

The shredded part took a spark on the second attempt and had a lovely flame going. I didn't add any further kindling to it, I just wanted to see if it would work as a tinder, and it did. Magnificently. The whole 1 inch piece burnt away with a wonderful smell.

Next time I pass an olde English sweet shop or chemist I'll pick up some more.

Sorry can't add pictures till next week as we're still in the tin tent with poor signal.

sent from my Jelly Bean'd galaxy nexus.

[Toddy]

Hmmm, neat

The roots are rich in a kind of sugar (glycyrrhizin) so maybe that's what burnt so well.

I have a big jar of them in the herb drawer, I'll have a play tomorrow

cheers,
Toddy

[swright81076]

You're welcome. If nothing else, its a lovely aroma.

sent from my Jelly Bean'd galaxy nexus.

[Laurentius]

I could never sacrifice liquorice root in that way, far better for eating.

[Chiseller]

I could never sacrifice liquorice root in that way, far better for eating.

+1 but always better when you know something has multiple uses . Tiptop job Steve, that's a new un on me :thumbup:

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

[Samon]

I could never sacrifice liquorice root in that way, far better for eating.

considering they cost 17p each over here I agree! damn 'health food' shops..

I'm sure if I bothered to look around I could get a bag of them for about £2 though.. and if you're already chewing on one you won't be far from something to start a fire if need be!

[Colin.W]

I've not seen liquorice root for years I think the last time I bought some it cost about 2d (for the forum members born after 1970 that's 2 pence old money)

[Toddy]

You can grow it; it does quite well in the UK, but keep it confined like Mints or it'll take over.

cheers,
M

[bilmo-p5]

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