Why is licorice sometimes called "Spanish" ?

Question

Well maybe not everywhere, but it is here in Hull.
Could it possibly have come from Spain?

Answer 1

Spanish is short for "Spanish wood". In the UK raw liquorice root that looked like twigs was commonly sold many years ago (I'm too young to remember!) - still available from: http://www.thepinksugarmouse.com/SWHHSPWA

Yes, it was called Spanish (wood) because the local crop (the ancient centre of the trade is Pontefract) was by the nineteenth century supplemented by liquorice imported from Spain.

Answer 2

I've never heard of this.
This may be just a little quirk, people used to call germans "jerries"

Okay, I googled it, I have only found that it is a DUTCH specialty one one website, many people simply say EUROPE.It dates back over 4,000 years,but it also says that there is such thing as "Spanish licorice" So, maybe Spanish is just short for Spanish licorice.

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Why is licorice sometimes called "Spanish" ?
Well maybe not everywhere, but it is here in Hull.
Could it possibly have come from Spain?

Answer 4

I have never heard of this!
It's bizarre....there must be an explanation!?
someone must have the answer.....

Answer 5

I've often wondered that and I'm from Hull as well !!!!!!!!!!!