A Horehound Primer
What exactly is horehound?
Most of us know the name horehound…but not what it is. Yes, horehound is a candy and has appeared in literary works where the young characters loved eating horehound candy. It’s funny, because many of our customers aren’t altogether sure if horehound is a literary invention or any actual thing. And if it is an actual thing – what is it? Where is it from? And, what’s with that name? As for the former questions, we get all sort of wise-guy comments, as to the perceived promiscuous nature of horehound. I’m sure you know what I mean.
So, here’s a horehound primer:
Horehound: The Plant
Horehound is a plant that arrived in North America somewhere in the 1500s. It’s of the mint family but clearly a distant cousin where flavor is concerned. It’s not as invasive as mint and grows in a clump, more that an ever-extending stream of vines that swallow up everything in its path as, say, peppermint. Horehound is also the bitter herb of the Bible. It’s a lovely plant whose flowers grow in delicate clusters.
Horehound: What About that NAME?
Horehound (also spelled “Hoarhound”) was named for its leaves which were hoary…meaning have little hair-like threads on them.
Horehound: The Venerable Candy
I say “venerable” but I really should have said “controversial.” The truth is, some people love it and some people don’t. To me, horehound tastes a bit like bitter salad greens. It has a tangy side to it, softened by sugar. It is a true taste of the past, though, when flavors weren’t as homogenized, as sweet, and industrial as they are today.
Horehound: The Medicine
Like every hard candy I know, horehound candy started as a medicine. Early on, it was likely boiled with sugar of some sort into a syrup, hard candy, or eaten as is. (Think: Bitter Herb). While horehound had a range of medicinal values, according to experts, the most prevalent was (and still is) its value in easing sore throats and soothing upset stomachs.
