Welcome to our series sharing Food Holidays: April 12th, 2022. I would like to ask you to take a look at the Holiday’s being celebrated today and let me know which Holiday you most want to celebrate. Charlie says he is going to embrace National Licorice Day. If you will excuse Charlie, he is off to the store to find candy featuring Licorice. Which I will pass on. But would you like to share the candy with Charlie?
HISTORY OF NATIONAL LICORICE DAY
Licorice is extracted from the Licorice Plant which can be used in innovative ways. Licorice is used for making candy, flavoring beverages including Teas. Some cultures even claim Licorice has medicinal properties.
Ancient Egyptians would use Licorice as a healing food ingredient. A great amount of Licorice was found in the Tomb of King Tut! Hieroglyphics from Ancient Egypt show that Licorice was enjoyed as a drink. Licorice was popular among the Royals. Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, and Napoleon Bonaparte were recorded as using Licorice for their health benefits. It would not be until the 17th Century that records indicate Licorice was being made into candy in Holland. From there, Sailors carried this treat with them to other Countries in Europe and eventually all over the world. Today, Licorice candy is produced not only in Europe but also in Australia and the Americas. Licorice is now being enjoyed globally.
Created by Licorice International in 2004, National Licorice Day celebrates the history and unique flavor of Licorice. Even though Black Licorice is the original, Licorice is available in many flavors and colors. Those who do not prefer the taste of Black Licorice can instead have different varieties of Licorice. Consumed by people across the globe, Licorice is a delectable treat with a distinctive flavor. licorice is used as an ingredient in many candies. National Licorice Day is the perfect Holiday to explore different flavors and to try Licorice recipes.
CELEBRATE NATIONAL LICORICE DAY
- In addition to the standard flavors of Licorice, try a new type of Licorice on National Licorice Day. Including Strawberry, Cherry, and Lemon.
- A great way to share the enjoyment of National Licorice Day is by giving Licorice to friends and family.
- Relax after a long day with a steaming cup of Licorice Tea on National Licorice Day which is known to have calming effects.
5 FACTS ABOUT LICORICE
- Glycyrrhizin gives Licorice its sweet flavor and it is 50 times sweeter than Sugar.
- There are many names for Licorice including Black Sugar, Licorice Root and Sweet Wood.
- Licorice can be used to treat sore throats, ulcers, and to promote adrenal gland function.
- Licorice is also used in soft drinks and Herbal Teas.
- Napoleon Bonaparte loved Licorice and he ate so much licorice that his teeth turned black.
WHY PEOPLE LOVE NATIONAL LICORICE DAY
- Licorice has been used as a flavoring agent due to its incredible taste. National Licorice Day celebrates the flavor that has remained consistently popular.
- National Licorice Day becomes more fun when you share Licorice candies with your friends.
- National Licorice Day is the perfect day to experiment with different flavors of licorice.
Interesting Food Facts about Licorice
- The botanical name for Licorice translates to “Sweet Root.”
- The Licorice Plant is actually a member of the Pea family.
- Licorice gets its flavor from Glycyrrhizic Acid, a chemical 50x sweeter than Sugar!
- This flavor is used in many products other than Licorice candy, including Alcohol, Tobacco, and food.
- Carbenoxolone, a compound derived from Licorice Root, may help slow the effects of aging on the brain.
Fun Fact:
Licorice helps relieve the pains that accompany certain types of Ulcers, and it is good for the Adrenal Glands.
Licorice root is a Botanical ingredient in modern Chinese medicines used to manage Cancers.
Current research conducted at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, supports the use of Licorice in the treatment of Prostate and Breast Cancer.
In Egypt the Pharaohs used Liquorice to create a traditional drink called Erqesos, which was consumed as a healing tonic.
National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day
Grilled cheese is a classic childhood favorite which can’t be beaten. Kids and adults alike love Grilled Cheese Sandwiches. A tasty meal. Everyone knows that Grilled Cheese is something almost any human can make. Have you ever wondered who thought of the idea in the first place?
Grilled Cheese has a rich history behind it. So does National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day! Why not take the time to fix a Grilled Cheese Sandwich and celebrate National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day.
History of National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day
Grilled Cheese, as Society now knows it, is considered to be an American tradition. Recipes for Grilled Cheeses have been mentioned in Ancient Roman texts. The idea of Grilled Cheese goes back a long way. What many people consider to be a Grilled Cheese can be traced back as far as the early 1920s.
During the industrial revolution, Otto Frederick Rohwedder invented the Bread slicer that made distributing sliced Bread even more accessible and more affordable. Shortly before this invention, however, James L. Kraft created Processed Cheese. James L, Kraft process ensured that this Cheese would not spoil even when transported long distances. These two inventions changed the face of Sandwich making forever!
By 1914, J.L. Kraft & Bros Company opened in Illinois, and the company continued to expand over the next five years. Rather than a delicacy, the company’s Factory Cheese was considered to be a cheap product that could be produced on a massive scale. And meet the needs on a massive scale, which it certainly did!
Who thought the combination would become the Grilled Cheese Sandwich? Well, according to historical, government-issued cookbooks, the American Navy thought of it. Or at least the American Navy were the first ones to publish about it! Navy Chefs would cook up hundreds of “American Cheese-Filled Sandwiches” for Military personnel who were fighting in World War II.
Originally, these Sandwiches were made with Cheese that was grated. Sliced Cheese was not introduced until the late 1940s when Kraft Foods introduced Kraft Singles and then, years later, Supermarkets began to stock Cheese Slices in the 1960s.
The ’60s brought out the term “Grilled Cheese,” when an American invention added the second slice of Bread on top., Making this Sandwich one of the most popular meals to have for lunch or dinner. Popular names include “Toasted Cheese Sandwich” or “Cheese Toasty”.
How to Celebrate National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day
Prepare a Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Make a Grilled Cheese using the basics: two pieces of plain white Bread and Kraft Single Slices Processed Cheese. If you wish to make the Sandwich more of a delicacy, change up the Cheese by adding slices of Cheddar, or Gouda.
Another way to get creative is to change the Bread by using Whole Grain. Serve a Grilled Cheese with Campbell’s Tomato Soup. Then invite friends over for a simple dinner.
Have a Grilled Cheese Party
A Grilled Cheese Party could be a fun way to involve friends. At this party, have a bunch of different fillings, different flavors of Bread, different Cheeses. Then get to creating your masterpiece.
Try out these interesting combinations to make a ho-hum Sandwich into something delicious: Jalapenos, different Meats including Pre-Cooked Chicken or Crushed Potato Chips, or Caramelized Onions.
Some people even enjoy Fruit. Add Sliced Apples, Pears, or strawberries, which can be a delicious add-on to a Grilled Cheese. This seems like the consensus is the more creative tastier the sandwich!
Visit to a Grilled Cheese Restaurant
New on the scene of niche restaurants, are Grilled Cheese Restautant’s allowing us to try out one Gourmet Grilled Cheese Sandwiches. They seem to be mostly in the US, but if there isn’t one local perhaps consider opening one!
- Melt – From Cleveland, Ohio. All of the locations for Melt are located in Ohio. Living in Ohio or nearby gives you access to Grilled Cheese! The Melt Menu has quite a few options, including Vegetarian, Vegan, and Gluten-Free options.
- Clementine – From Los Angeles, California. Clementine has a build-your-own Grilled Cheese a unique and fun way to ensure customers enjoy their meal. Customizing their Sandwich to their liking. Clementine is family-owned and only has one location.
- Alchemy – From Madison, Wisconsin. Alchemy’s Stuffed Grilled Cheese is definitely stuffed–the Sandwich includes Broccoli, Carrots, Tomato, Cheese and a Pesto Sauce. This slightly out-of-the-box Grilled Cheese is a great one to try when celebrating this holiday.
- The Grilled Cheeserie – From Nashville, Tennessee. This restaurant’s menu is full of different Grilled Cheese options, including a make-your-own Grilled Cheese. The Grilled Cheeserie also offers Gluten-Free Bread for any Sandwich.
- Cheesie’s Pub and Grub – From Chicago, Illinois. This restaurant also has a good range of options for different Grilled Cheese Sandwiches. Cheesie’s has three locations in the Chicago area.
Interesting Facts about Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
- Grilled Cheese Sandwiches originally showed up in America during the Roaring 20’s.
- Grilled Cheese was first served as an Open-face Sandwich.
- Grilled Cheese Sandwich is often accompanied by Campbell’s Tomato Soup. Which is a Southern delicacy!
- Grilled Cheese Sandwiches can be served with Bacon, Tomato, and other additions Making the meal much more filling.
- April is National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Month.
Fun Fact:
Today’s notion of the Grilled Cheese Sandwich is commonly traced back to the 1920s. When the Iowa man considered “the father of sliced Bread” invented a Bread slicer. Which made distributing White Bread easy and affordable.
In 2004, the Online Casino GoldenPalace.com paid $28,000 for a half-eaten Grilled Cheese Sandwich with the likeness of the Virgin Mary depicted in the “burn” pattern.
In 2009, Los Angeles hosted the World’s First Grilled Cheese Cooking Competition. Thousands and thousands of people competed at and attended the National Grilled Cheese Invitational, which has turned into a much-anticipated annual food festival.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
Very interesting food facts and information, Glenda. My father’s favorite candy was black licorice and whenever I see it I think of him. Grilled cheese is always a favorite meal for my grandchildren, and I like it too!