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How We Found Ourselves in ‘Licorice Pizza’ St Vals

licorice pizza

Just like the dream of our company, which was born on Valentine’s Day in 1994, is the character Gary Valentine from Paul Thomas Anderson’s vibrant film, ‘Licorice Pizza’. As if winking at us across the multiverse, this character, set against the eclectic backdrop of 1970s Los Angeles, shares our namesake and navigates the world with a spirit uncannily akin to our entrepreneurial ethos. The striking parallel between our journey and Gary Valentine’s had us on the edge of our seats during our first viewing of this critically acclaimed film. We couldn’t help but feel a sense of cosmic connection to this cinematic masterpiece.

While our journey as a company has been full of ups and downs, just like Gary Valentine’s path to stardom in ‘Licorice Pizza’, we have always stayed true to our roots and never compromised on the quality of our products. Much like the film itself, this is why our company has garnered a loyal following and critical acclaim. We believe that just like Gary Valentine’s character, who hustles his way towards success in the competitive world of Hollywood, we, too, have hustled our way into the hearts of our customers with our delicious liquorice treats.

Join us as we delve into the parallels of our journey and the near-miss stardom that tied us to this critically acclaimed film.

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Discovering the Secrets of Pontefract Cakes in Black, Bold, and Delicious

Pontefract cakes

The small market town of Pontefract, Yorkshire—born from the Norman conquest and home to a rich history of royal battles and posh affairs—holds an intriguing secret. One of its most beloved treats has been its greatest medicine for centuries: the liquorice cake or Pontefract cake.

What could have driven ancient Englanders to work this spongy, black-as-tar delicacy into their diets? Curiosity caught me in my tracks, and I had to find out more. As I began researching the Pontefract Cake’s mysterious past, I unearthed a captivating tale that was punctuated by multiple monarch disputes and dark love affairs.

My heart raced with excitement as I thought about my next stop: a visit to the abandoned medieval castle that housed this delectable treat’s story. Could its winding walls provide answers as to why liquorice cakes were so important then…and now? Join me on this journey of discovery where we uncover fairy tales, festival fanatics and other enchanting delights surrounding Pontefract Cakes!

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Liquorice Allsorts: A Quick Guide to the Classic Treat  

a jar with spilled Bassetts Liquorice Allsorts Sweets

When George Bassett made the daring move to establish his company in 1842, he never predicted its success. But as of 1852, shortly after the opening of the first factory in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, his venture began to bloom and thrive.

Bassett’s steady growth was powered by its flagship product: Bassetts Liquorice Allsorts Sweets.

This product has become so beloved that it is now on sale around the world, over one hundred and sixty years later!

The company stands as a testament to sturdy business principles, directional perseverance and strategic vision.

It has endured droughts and turbulence in the history of its 165 years and continues to be a respected name even today.

But how did this delicious treat come to be?

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Uncovering the Delicious Secrets of Liquorice Sweets

bunch of liquorice sweets

Welcome to the fascinating world of liquorice sweets! It’s a treat millions of people worldwide have enjoyed for centuries. You probably already have your favourite brands and types of liquorice you love most, but have you ever wondered about the origins of this unique flavour?

The definition of confectionery is any food made from sugar, often in combination with other ingredients such as chocolate, nuts, or fruit. Liquorice is extracted from the roots of the liquorice plant, which is native to the Mediterranean and certain parts of Asia. This combination and how it’s used as a flavouring ingredient create some of the most delicious and iconic sweets and treats.

In this article, we will dive deep into the history and production of liquorice sweets and also explore the health benefits of natural Liquorice roots and the cultural significance of this popular confectionery product. So get ready to uncover the delicious secrets of liquorice sweets!

Licorice steeped in vinegar, with honey and cloves. It will give you some strength and clear your head.

Author: George R R Martin
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Liquorice Poetry Competition

Poetry graphic for a competition

My story revolves around a very special poetry competition that is held annually.

The Saint Valentines Liquorice Poetry Competition brings together many talented poets from around the world and offers them the chance to have their verses heard by an audience of millions.

Each contestant must submit a poem inspired by the unique flavour of liquorice, creating works that evoke a myriad of emotions amongst both competitors and spectators alike.

The annual event has become renowned for its impressive range of imaginative writing pieces, as every participant seeks to bring something new and extraordinary to the stage.

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Barratts hard liquorice sticks 

Barratts hard liquorice sticks

Barratts Hard Liquorice Sticks – A classic British sweet made by Barratt’s. The original recipe has been kept secret since 1892. 

In recent years, the popularity of liquorice has increased significantly. It is now sold in almost every country around the globe. Because of this rise in demand, production and quality standards have gone up. Some suggest that the liquorice made today tastes and feels much better than it did in the past. It follows that improvements to processing and access to better technology have the potential to increase efficiency, but ingredients in confectionery making are pretty much the same as a century ago. 

Does nostalgia play a role in how we perceive taste? 

Today, we will look at one of the best liquorice products currently available from the UK-based company Barratts. First, we are going to look at their hard liquorice sticks. Barratts Hard Liquorice Sticks are made using only the finest natural ingredients and quality liquorice extract. They contain absolutely no artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives. Furthermore, these liquorice sticks are made using a tried and tested recipe, some say, a secret recipe. The resulting product is hard, chewy, and delicious. 

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The Best Story of Licorice Allsorts

Licorice Allsorts

When George Bassett founded his sweet company in 1842, he could never have imagined the success his business would bring him. Bassett’s first factory opened shortly after in 1852 in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, and the company has remained there ever since! One of Bassett’s most popular products is Licorice Allsorts. But how did this delicious treat come to be? 

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Which is better? Licorice or Liquorice?

licorice candys

When it comes to the spelling of Licorice, there is a big difference between Americans and Brits. While the Brits spell it Liquorice, the Americans spell it Licorice. But what most people don’t know is that there is a big difference in how these two words are pronounced.

The American pronunciation for Liquorice is “LICK-uh-rocee” while the British pronunciation is “LEEK-oh-ricee”. This is important because if you want to pronounce the word correctly, you need to make sure that your tongue is positioned at the back of your mouth when pronouncing the word. If you do not have the correct positioning of your tongue, then you will end up with an incorrect pronunciation.

This has always been a bit of a source of contention between the two countries, as each believes that their way of pronouncing it is the right way. But no matter which way you say it, there’s no denying that Licorice is a delicious treat!

And if physiological technical issues are anything to go by, taste and preferences are also key elements in this debate about Liquorice vs Licorice.

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Is Liquorice Good For You?: 9 Reasons Why You Might Try It!

liquorice wheels for an article asking is liquorice good for you?

Do you love liquorice? Are you curious about whether it has any health benefits? Or maybe you want to try something new?

Liquorice is delicious and fun to eat, but do you know it’s good for you? This article will go over nine reasons why liquorice might be good for you.

I’ll also share with you my personal experience with liquorice, including how I tried it and what happened after I ate it. And finally, I’ll tell you why I believe I can answer the question, is liquorice good for you.

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