Licorice root and anise are often confused because they can taste similar at first. Both can create a sweet, aromatic flavor that many people associate with black licorice.
But they are not the same.
Licorice root comes from the root of the licorice plant, Glycyrrhiza glabra. Anise comes from a different plant and is known for a bright, spice-like sweetness. In candy, the difference matters because licorice root often tastes deeper, earthier, and more rounded, while anise tends to taste sharper, brighter, and more immediately aromatic.
That difference helps explain why one black licorice can feel smooth and layered, while another feels piercing or medicinal.
It may not be the color.
It may be the flavor source.
The Short Answer
Licorice root and anise can both create flavors people describe as “licorice-like,” but they come from different plants and create different taste experiences.
Licorice root tends to bring:
- rounded sweetness
- herbal depth
- earthy undertones
- subtle bitterness
- a longer, more layered finish
Anise tends to bring:
- bright aroma
- spice-like sweetness
- sharper first impression
- cleaner, more direct flavor
- a more immediate aromatic hit
Neither is automatically better. They simply shape candy in different ways.
What Is Licorice Root?
Licorice root is the root of the licorice plant, Glycyrrhiza glabra. In traditional licorice candy, extract from the root may be used to create the flavor people associate with classic black licorice.
The root has a naturally sweet character, but that sweetness is not simple sugar sweetness. It comes with herbal, earthy, and slightly bitter notes that give black licorice its depth.
That is why licorice root-based flavor can feel more layered than fruit candy or simple sweet chews. It does not only taste sweet. It carries contrast.
That contrast is part of the appeal.
It is also part of why black licorice can be polarizing.
What Is Anise?
Anise is a separate plant with a flavor that resembles licorice but is not licorice root. It has a bright, aromatic sweetness that can feel spice-like, sharp, or cooling depending on how it is used.
If you have ever tasted anise-forward candy, certain teas, or some spice blends, you may recognize that high, fragrant sweetness. It reaches the palate quickly and tends to feel more immediate than licorice root.
Anise can be pleasant and distinctive, but it does not usually have the same earthy depth associated with licorice root extract.
That is the core difference.
Licorice root feels rooted.
Anise feels aromatic.
Why Do People Confuse Licorice Root and Anise?
People confuse them because anise and licorice root share overlapping flavor territory. Both can taste sweet, aromatic, and slightly herbal. Both are commonly associated with black licorice flavor.
But similar does not mean identical.
Think of them as related impressions rather than the same ingredient. Anise can resemble licorice in the same way one berry flavor may resemble another. The first impression may overlap, but the finish, depth, and character are different.
Licorice root tends to feel broader and more grounded.
Anise tends to feel brighter and more direct.
That distinction becomes easier to notice when you taste different black licorice styles side by side.
How Licorice Root Changes the Flavor
Licorice root can make black licorice taste more rounded and layered. Its sweetness often feels slower and less sugary than a straightforward candy flavor.
You may notice:
- a soft sweetness at the beginning
- an herbal note through the middle
- a slight earthy bitterness underneath
- a finish that lingers longer than fruit candy
That structure gives licorice root-based flavor more dimension. Instead of one clear sweet note, the flavor unfolds in stages.
This is one reason some European-style licorice can feel more complex than mainstream candy. The goal is often not just sweetness. It is balance between sweetness, botanical depth, texture, and finish.
How Anise Changes the Flavor
Anise usually changes the flavor in a different direction. It tends to create a brighter, more aromatic first impression.
You may notice:
- a sharper opening
- a fragrant, spice-like sweetness
- a cleaner aromatic note
- less earthy depth than licorice root
- a faster flavor impact
For some people, that brightness feels lively and familiar. For others, it can feel too sharp, especially if they associate anise-heavy candy with a medicinal taste.
That does not mean anise is bad.
It means it lands differently.
Why Some Black Licorice Tastes Medicinal
When people say black licorice tastes medicinal, they are often reacting to a sharp aromatic quality, a bitter edge, or a mismatch between expectation and flavor.
Sometimes that impression comes from anise-forward flavoring. Sometimes it comes from the bitter side of licorice root. Sometimes it comes from texture, sweetness balance, or a first experience that felt too intense.
The important point is that black licorice is not one flavor.
A soft rope-style licorice with a rounded chew can feel very different from a firmer, sharper, more aromatic candy. The same general flavor category can produce completely different reactions depending on the source of flavor and the way the candy is structured.
This is why one person may dislike one black licorice but enjoy another.
They may not dislike licorice itself.
They may dislike one expression of it.
Licorice Root vs Anise in Candy
In candy, licorice root and anise are often used to create different versions of a familiar black licorice impression.
A licorice root-forward candy may feel:
- deeper
- smoother
- more traditional
- more herbal
- more lingering
An anise-forward candy may feel:
- brighter
- sharper
- more aromatic
- more immediate
- more spice-like
Some candies may use both. Others may use one more prominently. Some fruit-forward or red licorice-style candies may not center either flavor source at all.
That is why ingredient assumptions can be risky. The best approach is to check the specific product details when you need to know what a candy contains.
From a tasting perspective, though, the difference is clear: licorice root usually adds depth, while anise usually adds brightness.
How Texture Affects the Difference
Flavor source is only part of the experience. Texture changes how that flavor arrives.
A soft licorice rope can make sweetness feel smoother and more approachable because the candy yields quickly and releases flavor gradually. A firmer or denser piece can slow the chew, giving herbal or bitter notes more time to develop.
That means licorice root may feel rounder in one texture and more intense in another. Anise may feel pleasant and aromatic in a balanced chew, but sharper if the candy delivers the flavor too quickly.
Texture does not change what the flavor source is.
But it changes how you experience it.
This is one reason rope-style licorice can be helpful for beginners. The softer chew can make flavor easier to understand, especially if you are comparing sweet, sour, red, black, and traditional styles.
Which One Is More Traditional?
Licorice root is more closely tied to traditional black licorice flavor because it comes from the plant that gives licorice its name.
Anise has also been used widely in candies and confections because it can create a similar aromatic impression. In many modern candy contexts, anise-like flavor can stand in for, support, or resemble licorice flavor.
But if you are asking which one is more directly connected to classic licorice itself, the answer is licorice root.
That does not make every licorice root candy better.
It simply means the flavor is rooted differently.
Which One Should You Try First?
If you are new to black licorice, start with the flavor experience that sounds closer to what you already enjoy.
Choose a licorice root-forward style if you like:
- herbal flavors
- earthy depth
- less straightforward sweetness
- traditional licorice character
- candy that lingers
Choose an anise-forward style if you like:
- bright aromatics
- spice-like sweetness
- sharper flavor
- a more immediate first impression
- candy with a clean, fragrant edge
If you are unsure, a softer rope-style licorice may be the easiest way to begin because texture can make the flavor feel more gradual. You can also compare sweet, sour, fruit-forward, and traditional rope styles to learn which direction fits your palate.
There is no single correct starting point.
Only the one that makes the flavor easier to understand.
Licorice Root vs Anise at a Glance
| Feature | Licorice Root | Anise |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Root of the licorice plant | Separate aromatic plant |
| Flavor style | Herbal, earthy, rounded | Bright, aromatic, spice-like |
| Sweetness | Naturally sweet with depth | Sweet and fragrant |
| Finish | Often longer and more layered | Often cleaner and sharper |
| Common impression | Traditional black licorice | Licorice-like aroma |
| Best for | Depth and botanical character | Bright aromatic flavor |
| Possible drawback | Can feel bitter or earthy to some | Can feel sharp or medicinal to some |
Final Thoughts
Licorice root and anise can taste similar, but they create different kinds of licorice flavor.
Licorice root tends to be deeper, earthier, and more layered. Anise tends to be brighter, sharper, and more aromatic. Both can be used to create flavors people recognize as black licorice, but they do not land the same way on the palate.
That difference explains why black licorice can vary so much from one candy to another.
It is not always stronger or weaker.
Sometimes, it is simply rooted differently.
If you are still deciding which style to try, explore beginner-friendly licorice picks or learn how to choose your first licorice rope.
FAQ
Is anise the same as licorice root?
No. Anise and licorice root come from different plants. They can taste similar because both have a sweet, aromatic quality, but licorice root is usually deeper and earthier, while anise is usually brighter and more spice-like.
Why does anise taste like licorice?
Anise tastes like licorice because it shares a similar aromatic sweetness. That overlap makes anise a common flavor people associate with black licorice, even though it is not the same ingredient as licorice root.
Does black licorice always contain licorice root?
Not always. Some black licorice candies may use licorice root extract, some may lean more on anise-like flavoring, and some may use a combination. Always check the product details if you need to know the exact ingredient profile.
Which tastes stronger, licorice root or anise?
Anise can feel stronger at first because its aroma is bright and immediate. Licorice root can feel deeper and longer-lasting because of its herbal, earthy, and slightly bitter notes. The stronger impression depends on the recipe, texture, and sweetness balance.
Why do some people dislike anise-flavored candy?
Some people experience anise as sharp, medicinal, or too aromatic. That reaction often comes from the intensity of the flavor and personal taste sensitivity. A softer or more balanced licorice style may feel different.
Is red licorice flavored with licorice root or anise?
Many red licorice-style candies are fruit-forward and are not centered on licorice root or anise flavor. They are often grouped with licorice because of shape, chew, or candy tradition rather than because they taste like traditional black licorice. Check specific product details for exact ingredients.