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Yes, even licorice, in all its flavors and colors (black, red, cherry, root beer, blue raspberry and dozens of others), has a day of its very own. That day is April 12th -- National Licorice Day, to be exact.

Licorice has been a reason to celebrate for a very long time. Although ancient Egyptians and Greeks, among others, used licorice medicinally, when the Crusaders brought licorice to Europe its history took a different turn. In Pontrefract, England, a monastery began making candy flavored with licorice root.

In medieval Europe, sweet tasting foods were a rare treat. Cane sugar was not cultivated in Europe. The natural sweet flavor of licorice (sometimes as much as 60 times sweeter than cane sugar) caught on and spread across the continent.

When settlers came to America, they brought the licorice plant with them, along with dozens of traditional recipes. In 1914, licorice made the jump from the home kitchen to the factory kitchen, as the American Licorice Company opened its doors in Chicago, IL.

In that first year of production, the black licorice we all love and recognize was born. "Black Vines" licorice candy took the twisted-rope shape that every child knows and every adult remembers fondly.

Although licorice has its very own day, don't wait for April 12th to celebrate the nostalgic taste of this American favorite. There are lots of ways to reacquaint yourself with this beloved candy. Licorice is surprisingly easy to make at home, needing only eight ingredients and 30 minutes to prepare.

Or, perhaps you might try having a “licorice potluck” candy tasting party, and challenge everyone to bring a different flavor of licorice, presented in a different way. With the dozens of flavors, colors, and shapes, the fun ways to showcase your favorite flavor are endless. There are even recipes for "licorice sushi" made from cherry licorice inserted into marshmallows.

Whether you like to buy licorice in its original red or black licorice flavor, or in one of the gourmet flavors like grape or cinnamon, you don't have to wait for a special holiday to enjoy the old-time fun of licorice with a modern-day "twist."