Licorice Root Extract Powder

Roots and rhizomes of Glycyrrhiza uralensis, the Chinese licorice, are the raw material for this licorice root extract. Water extraction concentrates the soluble root fraction, and the liquor is dried to a yellow-brown powder at a 10:1 ratio. Leaves, stems and the European species are left out.

The 10:1 ratio carries no glycyrrhizic acid percentage. The powder is yellow-brown, ground to 80 mesh and water dispersible. A glycyrrhizic-acid-graded licorice extract, the plain root powder and the single-compound reference are separate products, and the licorice candy flavor is a different matter.

SKU: BOT-BEX-0092 Category: Botanical Extracts Tags: Gummies & Chews, Licorice, Plant Extracts, Root & Rhizome, Water Dispersible, Water Extracted

Glycyrrhiza uralensis Root Identity & Plant Part

The botanical entity is Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. ex DC., a perennial legume of the family Fabaceae. The part used is the root and rhizome, which is dug, washed, sliced and dried before extraction. Aerial parts, seed pods and leaves are not added to this licorice root extract.

Three licorice species trade under the same name: G. uralensis, Glycyrrhiza glabra of Europe and the Mediterranean, and Glycyrrhiza inflata. They differ in flavonoid pattern and in market use, so a specification needs the botanical name. The root contains the triterpenoid saponin glycyrrhizin, which is much sweeter than sugar, together with flavonoids such as liquiritin and isoliquiritigenin.

Licorice Extract vs Powder & Standardized Grades

Form	What It Is	Choose It When
10:1 Licorice Root Extract	Water-extracted, concentrated and dried G. uralensis root	A dispersible root extract without a marker is wanted
Licorice Extract 20% Glycyrrhizic Acid	Extract with a defined glycyrrhizic acid figure	The specification names a glycyrrhizic acid figure
Licorice Root Powder	Dried, milled root	Root fiber and the natural sweetness are wanted
18-Alpha-Glycyrrhetinic Acid 98%	Single purified aglycone	A pure compound is required, not a plant extract

Licorice root is used at ten parts per part of powder, which is the meaning of 10:1 here. It gives no glycyrrhizic acid figure, and the sweetness of a lot follows the glycyrrhizin that reached the water.

A label that must declare glycyrrhizic acid needs the graded extract. The ratio extract suits blends that want licorice identity and natural sweetness in a dispersible form. The milled root brings fiber, and the pure aglycone is a chemical reference, not a root extract. Glycyrrhizin intake is limited in some markets, so formulators check local limits.

Typical Specifications

Specification Item	Product Information
Latin Name	Glycyrrhiza uralensis
Plant Part	Root & Rhizome
Processing	Water Extraction
Common Name	Licorice, Chinese Licorice
Ingredient Type	Ratio Extract
Extract Ratio	10:1
Appearance	Yellow-Brown powder
Solubility / Dispersibility	Water Dispersible
Quality Parameters
Moisture (LOD)	≤5.0%
Total Ash	≤5.0%
Particle Size	80 mesh
Heavy Metals	Lead ≤2 ppm · Arsenic ≤1 ppm · Cadmium ≤1 ppm · Mercury ≤0.1 ppm
Microbiology	TPC ≤1,000 cfu/g · Yeast & Mold ≤100 cfu/g · E. coli Negative · Salmonella Negative/25 g
Shelf Life	24 months in unopened original packaging, cool and dry storage

Application Areas

Naturally Sweetened Drink Powders

Drink powders use licorice extract to add background sweetness and a rounded, slightly earthy finish. Its sweetness builds slowly and lingers, so it is used with other sweeteners that act faster. A low dose is usually enough, since the flavor turns medicinal in larger amounts.

Herbal Capsule and Tablet Blends

Capsule and tablet blends place the extract with bitter herb extracts. The saponin content helps wetting but makes the powder sticky, so a flow aid is considered and humidity is controlled. Tablet hardness is checked after storage because the sugars and saponins soften in damp air.

Bitter-Masking Stick Packs

Stick packs use licorice extract to soften harsh herb notes in the same sachet. Mint, anise or ginger flavors pair with it, and the yellow-brown tint blends into brown or amber bases. Foam can form when saponin-rich liquid is shaken, so stirring is preferred.

Chew and Gummy Premixes

Chew premixes accept licorice extract after cooking, when the base has cooled. The extract contributes sweetness and a brown tint, and gummy sets with pectin or gelatin tolerate it well. Strong dark flavors hide its slightly bitter finish.

Formulation Notes

The powder is yellow-brown with a characteristic sweet, earthy aroma and a lingering sweet taste with mild bitterness. In water it forms an amber liquid that foams slightly on agitation because of saponins. The sweetness takes a moment to develop, so tasting immediately after mixing understates the final effect.

Premix the powder into part of the dry base before the main blend to prevent sticky lumps; saponins and sugars make licorice extract hygroscopic. Glycyrrhizin precipitates in strongly acidic drinks, so a low-pH beverage may turn cloudy and a stability check is done at the intended pH.

Opened drums should be re-closed promptly, with the liner pressed flat against the powder. Licorice extract picks up odors from neighboring ingredients, so it is stored apart from strongly scented flavors. Trials should compare licorice extract in water of different hardness, because calcium and magnesium can cloud a saponin-rich solution, and the extract is sometimes dosed with softened water in beverage lines.

Packaging & Commercial Supply

Essencefield supports product evaluation, formulation trials, commercial orders, and ongoing ingredient supply. Packaging, storage, and shipping arrangements are determined by product characteristics, order quantity, stability requirements, and destination-market needs.

Supply Item	General Information
Sample	Available upon request for formulation, testing, and supplier evaluation
Order Quantities	100 g · 1 kg · 5 kg · 25 kg · 100 kg · 500 kg · Bulk
Sample Lead Time	Typically 5–7 days after sample confirmation
Production Lead Time	Typically 15–30 days after order and specification confirmation
Packaging	Suitable protective inner packaging with bags, cartons, drums, or other appropriate outer packaging
Storage	Store in tightly sealed, suitable protective packaging in a cool, dry environment. Protect from moisture, heat, and direct sunlight. Specific storage conditions follow the approved product specification.
Documentation	COA · Product Specification · TDS · SDS · Applicable declarations (as applicable)

Final order quantities, lead times, packaging, documentation, and shipping arrangements are confirmed according to the selected product and commercial requirements.