When Jason’s dad picked us up from JFK last month we were a tired bunch. Flying with a baby and energetic toddler in tow takes the pep out of your step. Not to mention I was a bit ravenous.
So when Papa Ron casually offered up a bag of black licorice he had bought at a random food market on Long Island it took a lot of restraint not to reach over into the front street and swipe the entire bag. But since I try to be a polite daughter-in-law I graciously accepted one piece. Then I asked if I could have another. By the time we reached their apartment the bag was empty.
I have a thing for black licorice (regardless that on our second date Jason told me the only people he knew that love it as much as me were old men). Hands down, this was the best licorice I’d ever tasted. I quickly googled “Darrell Lea” “Black Licorice” “Manhattan” on my iPhone and was happy to discover every corner Duane Reade pharmacy stocks it. Unfortunately it happened to be a Sunday and all locations in the NYC area were closed. I put my impulse on the back burner until I returned to Oregon.
I was over the moon when I found out both Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s have the little pieces of heaven in stock. It’s now a daily staple in my top desk drawer. Old man Carson loves eating them, too.
We also see it at Cost Plus World Market, in many different flavors, including strawberry, mango, and ginger. Don't get the ginger flavor. The strawberry and mango flavors are magnificent. 🙂
Amy…
As you know, I share your love for licorice and have just added “Darrell Lea” Licorice to our Trader Joe's shopping list! It's right up there with dark chocolate! So not only do old men love it…I guess old(er) women do too! See you later…save a piece for me!!
Love, Mom
I LOVE black licorice! Not red, not any other flavor. Just black. Save a few pieces for me the next time we come over! By the way, when I was a camp counselor at Tryon Creek State Park a while ago, I learned that there is a plant that grows in our NW forests, which tastes like black licorice. I can't remember which plant or which part of the plant you eat, so now I'm off to look it up …
Amy – tell you friend MaryJo that annis (sp?) is what tastes like black licorice.
uggh!! I can't stand black licorice!! I am a fan of a nice soft red vine. I guess licorice is a very divisive treat! I came to your blog to look up the stenciling tutorial…both boys are finally asleep at the same time and I'm going to attempt to do something with the freezer paper you shared with me. I'll let you know how it goes.
Hi Katalin, I had forgotten about anise and how it tasted like licorice too! Thank you! But the plant I was thinking of is Licorice Fern (polypodium glychyrrhiza), which grows in our NW forests. The rhizomes taste like black licorice. Yum!
Okay Amy, I have some of this black licorice to give to you… I never was a fan of black licorice, however, more recently I had some (and can't recall the brand name at this time) but decided I now liked it. So when I saw this brand of licorice you suggested (at Target) I couldn't resist to pick up a bag. And now I can give it to you if we can ever meet up! 🙂