How to Tell Real Licorice, Not Substituted
Root, powder or DGL: licorice is one of those plants where several species sell under the same common name, with real consequences for glycyrrhizin content. Here are the cues for choosing a reliable product.
To recognize authentic licorice, first look for the precise botanical name on the label: Glycyrrhiza glabra, the European and Mediterranean species traditionally used, to be distinguished from Glycyrrhiza uralensis, the Chinese species, or other species of the same genus sometimes sold under the same common name “licorice.” The dried root is light brown on the outside, yellowish when cut, with a characteristic mild smell and a distinctly sweet taste. A root with no Latin name specified on the packaging tells you nothing about which species, or which glycyrrhizin content, it actually contains.
In practice: favor a product that clearly states the species, specifies the plant part used (root) and, for DGL extracts, states the deglycyrrhizination process.
A documented risk: confusion between Glycyrrhiza species
A study by Frommenwiler, Maire-Widmer, Upton et al. (2017), published in the Journal of Planar Chromatography (see the study on Google Scholar), developed a high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) method to clearly distinguish Glycyrrhiza glabra from Glycyrrhiza uralensis, two species that are morphologically, chemically and pharmacologically close but not identical, and applied it to commercial dietary supplements. Result: five out of twenty-eight samples showed an incorrect species on their label. This matters concretely for buyers: the glycyrrhizin content, the substance responsible both for the digestive effect and the documented blood-pressure risk, varies by species and by lot, which makes a verified-origin, verified-composition product all the more useful.
Signals to watch for when buying
| Cue | Likely authentic fennel/">licorice | Suspicious signal |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical name | “Glycyrrhiza glabra” (or species stated) on the label | Just “turmeric/">licorice” with no Latin name |
| Color and appearance | Light brown outside, yellowish when cut | Unusual color, very uneven appearance |
| Taste | Distinctly sweet, characteristic | Faint or absent taste |
| Origin | Country of cultivation or harvest stated | No traceability mentioned |
Root, powder or DGL: the vigilance points shift
For licorice powder, the key points are the botanical name and appearance described above. For a DGL extract (deglycyrrhizinated, meant to limit blood-pressure risk), check that the deglycyrrhizination process is explicitly stated: a product that offers only the name “DGL” with no further detail does not guarantee an actually reduced residual glycyrrhizin content. Our detailed criteria are in how to choose licorice.
Is price a good indicator?
It is one clue among others: a product correctly identified to species, with a traceable origin, logically costs more than an anonymous root exposed to the documented labeling-error risk above. Our article how much does licorice cost details the ranges observed.
Precautions
Beyond product quality, licorice has its own precautions for use, detailed in licorice, dangers and precautions: the real documented risk concerns glycyrrhizin and blood pressure, with durations and doses not to exceed, a contraindication during pregnancy, and possible interactions. A product poorly identified to species does not reduce this risk — it worsens it through not knowing the real content. For any safety question, see the safety and precautions guide.
Your questions about how to tell real licorice, not substituted
How do I know if my licorice is authentic?
Check for the botanical name (most often Glycyrrhiza glabra) on the label, along with a light brown to yellowish color and a distinctly sweet taste. Missing the Latin name should raise concern.
Is licorice often confused with another species?
Yes, a scientific study found that about one in six commercial samples showed an incorrect Glycyrrhiza species on its label, despite a strong resemblance between species.
Why does this species confusion matter?
Glycyrrhizin content, responsible for the blood-pressure risk, varies by species and by lot. A poorly identified product makes it impossible to assess this risk precisely.
How do I check that a DGL extract is reliable?
Look for an explicit statement of the deglycyrrhizination process, not just the “DGL” label on the package. A serious brand generally specifies this point.
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