Licorice Root, Chinese (Cultivated) - Glycyrrhiza uralensis Radix - Gan Cao (Zai Pei) - Organic Grade

From China

The peacemaker. Gan cao means sweet grass, and it appears in more Chinese herbal formulas than any other single ingredient - not because it does the work, but because it harmonizes. Its traditional role is to make the other herbs in the pot get along, which earned it the nickname the peacemaker of herbs.

The sweetness is not sugar. Glycyrrhizin, the compound behind the taste, is around fifty times sweeter than table sugar and behaves nothing like it. Licorice grows in the dry north - Inner Mongolia, Gansu, Xinjiang - and its reach goes well beyond China: bundles of the root were buried in the tomb of Tutankhamun.

How it is used: a slice or two simmered with other roots to round out a bitter decoction, or brewed alone as a sweet, faintly medicinal tea.

Licorice Root (Cultivated) – Gan Cao – Organic Grade

Botanical Name: Glycyrrhiza uralensis Radix

Common Names: Licorice Root / Gan Cao / 甘草

Grade: Organic Grade

Origin: Grown and harvested in China

Product Overview

Licorice Root, known as Gan Cao, is one of the most recognized botanicals in traditional East Asian herbal culture.

It is often featured in classic teas, decoctions, and traditional herbal blends, where it brings a mild sweetness and harmonizing character to recipes.

Our Organic Grade cultivated Licorice Root is naturally sliced and dried without sulfur or pesticides, preserving its light aroma, golden-brown tone, and clean, food-grade quality suitable for tea and traditional cooking.

How to Use

Tea & Decoction

• Simmer 3–6 g in water for 15–25 minutes.

• Commonly paired with other traditional botanicals in classic kitchen decoctions.

Soups & Broths

• Add slices to soups, congee, or simmered broths for a gentle, naturally sweet note.

Culinary & Traditional Blends

• Often included in traditional herbal tea blends and slow-simmered preparations.

Intended Use & Preparation

• Not for direct consumption in dry form.

• To be prepared and consumed as tea, decoction, or soup.

• Bring to a boil and simmer for at least 15 minutes for traditional decoctions, or steep in hot water for an extended period when used as tea.

Features

• Certified Organic

• Free of sulfur, pesticides, and chemical additives

• Naturally sliced and dried

• Packed in resealable pouches for freshness

• Traceable to the growing region

• Suitable for teas, decoctions, and traditional herbal cooking

Traditional Context (TCM Framework)

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Gan Cao is noted in classical texts and culinary herbal practices and is commonly included in traditional tea blends and decoctions, where it provides a mild, balancing character within traditional frameworks.

Important Notes

• Sold as a raw food-grade ingredient, not a finished dietary supplement.

• Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

• Best used with guidance from a trained herbal practitioner.

• These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.