If teas had personalities, licorice tea (or mulethi as we lovingly call it in India) would be that cousin who always shows up with pockets full of toffees. Sweet, calming, and just a little mischievous.
This isn’t some hipster drink invented by wellness cafés in glass jars with handwritten chalkboard menus. Mulethi has been around since before teabags were even a thing. Before chai stalls became India’s lifeline. Before coffee shops invented caramel lattes.
I remember the first time mulethi appeared in my childhood. Not in a fancy teacup, but as a humble brown stick my grandmother pulled from a tin. My throat had gone hoarse after trying to belt out film songs louder than the neighbour’s radio. Grandma handed me the stick and said, “Chew this. It will fix you faster than your singing breaks glass.”
She was right. Within minutes, there was relief. The cough subsided. And more importantly, my taste buds were confused, how can something that looks like firewood taste like sweet candy?
That’s mulethi magic. And today, the same tradition that healed our childhood coughs brews beautifully in a cup called licorice tea.
Mulethi Across Time: A Global Love Story
Mulethi isn’t just an Indian treasure. It has charmed cultures across continents and centuries.
Egypt: Archaeologists found licorice root tucked into the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun. Imagine, thousands of years ago, someone thought, “Just in case the boy king feels thirsty in the afterlife.”
China: In Traditional Chinese Medicine, licorice root (called Gan Cao) is known as “the great harmoniser,” used in hundreds of herbal formulas to balance and sweeten blends.
Greece & Rome: Hippocrates, the “father of medicine”, recommended it for asthma and cough. Roman soldiers carried it to keep their throats moist during long marches.
India: Ayurveda calls it Yashtimadhu, which literally means “sweet root.” It’s described as cooling, soothing, and nourishing, an ally for digestion, lungs, and even the mind.
The funny thing is, licorice tea has travelled more than most of us. From tombs to temples, from Roman battlefields to Indian kitchens, it has lived a thousand lives.
Why Licorice Tea Is Special
Let’s be honest. Not all herbal teas are easy to love. Some taste like boiled grass. Some smell like perfume gone wrong. But licorice tea is different.
Naturally Sweet: It doesn’t need sugar, honey, or artificial flavouring. Sip it once, and you’ll notice a lingering sweetness coating your throat, almost like caramel but softer.
Soothing: That’s why it’s a go-to for sore throats, coughs, and cranky vocal cords. Singers, teachers, and grandparents swear by it.
Versatile: You can sip it plain, spice it up with ginger and cinnamon, or even mix it with green tea for a balanced brew.
Caffeine-Free: Perfect for late evenings when you want comfort without losing sleep.
Drinking licorice tea feels like a warm hug on a rainy day. It whispers, “Relax. I’ll take care of the scratch in your throat. Just sit back and breathe.”
The Beginner’s Guide To Brewing Licorice Tea
Making mulethi tea is as easy as humming your favourite tune in the shower. You don’t need a tea degree or a hipster kettle. Here’s the simple method:
The Basic Brew
Get The Root: Buy dried mulethi sticks or pre-cut pieces from any spice store or supermarket.
Break It Down: Snap a small piece, about an inch long. For stronger flavour, lightly crush it with a rolling pin.
Simmer Slowly: Add it to 2 cups of water. Let it simmer for 5–7 minutes on low heat. Your kitchen will smell like an Ayurvedic retreat.
Strain & Sip: Pour into your mug and sip slowly. Notice how the sweetness lingers, even when the tea is gone.
Variations To Try
The Spiced Healer: Add a slice of ginger and a pinch of cinnamon for warmth.
The Tangy Twist: Squeeze a bit of lemon once the tea cools slightly.
The Bedtime Calm: Mix mulethi with chamomile for a sleep-friendly brew.
Pro Tip: Don’t boil mulethi for too long. It doesn’t like drama. A gentle simmer is enough.
Licorice In Indian Homes: More Than Just Tea
In Indian families, mulethi isn’t just a root. It’s a character in countless home remedies.
Got a cough? Chew mulethi.
Digestion acting up? Boil mulethi with fennel.
Exam nerves? Grandma slips you a mulethi stick “to calm the vata.”
Singer in the house? Mulethi is their backstage buddy.
Even today, you’ll find mulethi sticks in roadside ayurvedic stalls, tucked in little paper cones. Some people chew it like candy, others brew it into decoctions. It’s the common man’s wellness hack, simple, accessible, and surprisingly effective.
And let’s admit, there’s something charming about a root that makes kids stop crying and adults stop coughing.
Beyond Wellness: Mulethi In Culture & Myth
Mulethi has always had an air of mystique. In folklore, it’s seen as a “root of sweetness”, not just for the throat, but for life itself. Ayurveda even describes it as calming fiery emotions, believed to bring balance to both body and mind.
In some old Indian households, mulethi tea was served to guests during winters instead of regular chai. Not only was it soothing, but it also carried a sense of “we’re giving you something special, straight from the earth.”
Globally too, licorice inspired many culinary experiments. In Scandinavia, salty licorice candy is practically a national obsession. In Europe, licorice root extracts flavour sweets and drinks. Imagine, what Indians sip as tea, Norwegians chew as candy. Same root, different stories.
The Wellness Angle: What Science Says
Modern studies back up what grandmothers already knew:
Anti-inflammatory: Helps soothe sore throats and respiratory irritation.
Digestive Aid: Can ease bloating and indigestion.
Stress Relief: Contains compounds that may support adrenal health.
Immunity Boost: Rich in antioxidants.
But here’s the catch: too much mulethi can increase blood pressure or lower potassium levels. Which means, it’s best enjoyed in moderation.
Think of it like laddoos at a festival. Delicious, healthy even, but not meant for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
A Gentle Reminder
Before you make licorice tea your new daily best friend, remember:
Avoid if you have high blood pressure or kidney issues.
Pregnant women should skip it.
Always check with a doctor if you’re on regular medication.
Like all powerful herbs, mulethi works best when respected.
The Modern Revival
It’s amusing how mulethi has rebranded itself. What was once a humble Ayurvedic staple is now served in chic cafés in Paris and New York as “artisanal licorice infusion” with price tags that could make your grandmother faint.
But that’s the beauty of traditions. They travel, transform, and return to us with new names and packaging. What matters is the comfort they continue to bring.
So the next time you sip licorice tea, remember, you’re not just drinking a herbal brew. You’re participating in a tradition that has crossed centuries, continents, and countless cups.
Licorice tea isn’t just a beverage. It’s a story in a cup, a story that begins in ancient tombs, travels through Ayurvedic kitchens, hums backstage with singers, and now sits steaming in your modern mug.
It’s sweet, soothing, and slightly magical. A root that connects the past to the present, culture to science, and health to comfort.
So the next time your throat feels scratchy, or you just want to taste a sip of history, reach for that humble mulethi stick. Brew it. Sip it. Smile.
Because some of life’s sweetest remedies are also the simplest.
FAQs About Licorice Tea (Mulethi)
Q1. What does licorice tea taste like?
It’s naturally sweet, earthy, and slightly woody, with a lingering sweetness that coats the throat.
Q2. Can I drink licorice tea daily?
Yes, but limit to one cup a day. Overconsumption can cause side effects like elevated blood pressure.
Q3. Is licorice tea good for singers and speakers?
Absolutely! It soothes the throat, reduces strain, and keeps the vocal cords happy. Many singers swear by it.
Q4. Does licorice tea have caffeine?
No, it’s completely caffeine-free, making it perfect for evenings or before bedtime.
Q5. Can licorice tea replace regular tea?
It can complement your routine, but probably won’t replace your morning chai or coffee. Think of it as your wellness tea, not your wake-up tea.
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