H LIQUORICE

$POMFRET CAKES Also known as Pontefract Cakes, these round liquorice sweets with the imprint of the local castle have been popular for hundreds of years. Once upon a time they were only made in Pontefract. Although this is no longer the case some are still nonetheless manufactured in the town itself and visitors can still catch that sweet smell on the air. To mark the importance of liquorice to the town there is now an annual Liquorice Festival with all sorts of events taking place and a rare opportunity to buy a liquorice plant of your own. HISTORY OF LIQUORICE Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) in the family Leguminosae is a tall shrub (4.5 feet; 140 cm) with blue or violet flowers. Glycyrrhiza comes from the Greek and means "sweet root". The liquorice plant originates from the Middle East and Mediterranean. More specifically Turkey, Iraq, Spain, Greece and northern China. Its root has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years, it is the root sap has that distinctive sweet taste. There are historical records of it being used by the ancient civilisations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Rome, Greece and China. Roots were found in Tutankhamen's tomb. The famous Greek physicians, Hippocrates (c.460 - 377 BC) - the 'Father of Medicine', and Theophrastus (c.372 - c.287 BC) - the founder of Botany, both used liquorice for its healing properties. The root has been used for many purposes; as a thirst quencher (very useful for armies on the march), to heal wounds and skin diseases, to cure loss of hair and ulcers, as an aphrodisiac and almost always to ease sore throats and coughs (when prepared in a liquid form). THE LIQUORICE FESTIVAL   The town of Pontefract provides a fantastic backdrop to the annual Liquorice festival. In this unique historic market town with a Norman Castle, you can catch the aroma of warm liquorice emanating from the town's sweet factories.  Whilst soaking up the atmosphere of the town and castle, celebrate ancient arts, crafts, music and historic entertainment at Pontefract Castle on the Saturday.  Then join us IN 2008 for Liquorice Day in the Town Centre, and sampling fresh locally produced Allsorts, Pontefract Cakes, Liquorice foods and international Liquorice products.  With the very best street performers, art, craft, live music dancing and fairground rides entertaining visitors from all over the world.  There are liquorice talks, a 15th century pub to visit, an extraordinary array of liquorice goods to purchase and rare liquorice plants to acquire.  Pontefract Liquorice Festival is delicious program of arts & heritage festivities suitable for all the family. Pomfretians welcome all for a fun, festive, tasty weekend of liquorice, music, mirth and merriment. Information supplied by W.M.D.C. Festival Information http://www.pontefractliquorice.co.uk$ shapeimage_3_link_0