What Does Horehound Candy Taste Like? Does Horehound Candy Taste Good?

If you have recently come across an old tin of horehound candy, you might be wondering what it actually is – or perhaps you saw some in one of those old-fashioned and wonderful candy shops? 

Either way, it is very likely that you have no idea what it is. 

Dark brown in color, horehound candy is indeed a type of candy despite its odd name and, to put it quite frankly, unappealing look.

While you may wonder whether it is chewy or hard, horehound candy is often described as being for those with an acquired taste. 

So, if you are still intrigued about horehound candy, then look no further. This traditional and old fashioned candy can be puzzling to those who have never tasted it before.

If you are wanting to know what horehound candy tastes like, then read on!

What Actually Is Horehound Candy?

Horehound candy is a treat that is hard, rather than chewy. It is made using the horehound plant – hence the name. It could have been called Marrubium vulgare (that is its scientific name), but that is a bit of a mouthful.

This perennial herb is a member of the mint plant family, and is native to areas such as northern Africa, Europe, and southwestern to central Asia.

Traditionally it is used as a medicinal plant to treat various different ailments like the flu, digestion, breathing, and cold symptoms. In some cultures it is still used for those reasons today.

In the past, the horehound herb was also used as protection when it came to witchcraft. Those who practiced witchcraft believed that the horehound herb had magical abilities.

Today, the herb is found within many different candies. This includes candy which is specifically for coughs and sore throats. 

Where Can You Buy Horehound Candy?

Horehound candy is often available at stores within museums, speciality stores, and potentially even health stores.

They are also readily available to buy online too. However, if you grow your own horehound herb plant, then you can make your own. You can use both dry and fresh horehound. 

Because it is a member of the mint plant family, it acts like it too. This means you may want to plant the herb in an outdoor pot to stop it spreading.

You can then pull the horehound away from its stem because it will be ready to use right away.

What Does The Horehound Candy Taste Like?

Horehound candy has a distinctive taste that is liked and disliked by many people – hence the reason it is often referred to as being a flavor for those with an acquired taste.

It has a bitter taste that is also sweet. Because the herb plant is a member of the mint family, you do get a refreshing and minty bitter taste. However, it is different from the regular mint flavor that you are used to. 

It has an undertone flavor of being a herb, almost like it is mixed with rosemary or eucalyptus. The sweetness is a taste that is added with sugars to bring down its natural minty-herb flavor to something palatable.

While this is called a candy, most people do not eat it out of enjoyment. The majority of people are likely to consume horehound candy when they have a cold or a sore throat and need it to be soothed. 

Does Horehound Candy Have Health Benefits?

Traditionally horehound candy was used for its medicinal properties, rather than its flavor. 

This is because people believed (and still do) that it can help with certain health issues such as digestion, respiratory problems, and lowering cholesterol – among other things. 

However, these days it is most commonly used as a way to soothe a sore throat or to help calm some of the symptoms of flu or a cold. 

To make it even healthier when making your own, always use a sweetener like Sucralose rather than sugar. It will help to keep the sugar level to a minimum so you can increase the health benefits of the herb. 

Over time you will get used to the bittersweet flavor that this candy produces too. 

Is It Possible To Make Your Own Horehound Candy?

Absolutely you can make your own horehound candy at home. It only takes three ingredients too: water, sugar, and horehound. 

While you can use fresh horehound leaves straight off the plant outside your home, you can also use dry horehound too. The effects, flavor and benefits are all the same.

This means that you don’t actually need to plant your own horehound plant to create candies at home. 

How To Make Your Own Horehound Candy?

It is really simple to make your own horehound candy. With three simple ingredients and patience on your hands, you will be able to make these distinctive candies at home.

Here is how to do it:

Step 1

Fill a saucepan with water and place it onto the stove on a medium heat. Let the water boil and become hot.

Step 2

Place the horehound leaves into the boiling water and allow them to steep for a full ten minutes. During this time the flavor of the horehound will ooze through the water.

Step 3

Once the ten minutes are up, strain the horehound liquid into a pot. You can now throw away the leaves. 

Step 4

Now that the liquid is in the pot, add in sugar (or your preferred sweetener) and mix it in well. 

Step 5

Put the mixture on a medium heat and allow it to reach a boil temperature of 300 degrees Fahrenheit. If it has already reached a candy substance stage before this temperature, then remove it.

This usually happens when there is very little or no mixture of the water left in the pot.

Step 6

Once removed off the stove, pour the candied syrup into a sheet pan and let it cool for less than five minutes.

Step 7

Once cool enough – yet not too cold – mold the mixture into whatever shape you are feeling like. However, you may want to make small candies. 

Just a note, you will want to make sure not to burn the sugared syrup. This is easily done, so never leave the mixture to bubble away. It needs your full attention throughout the entire process.

Final Thoughts

This bittersweet candy isn’t something everyone has heard of, despite its potential health benefits. While it may be a traditional candy that your grandparents once ate, it is still enjoyed today.

While it is a candy, it isn’t the type you would find next to a Butterfinger. Instead, you are more likely to find horehound candy in a speciality store, or you may need to look for it online.

Having said that, horehound candy is very easy to make at home. You can grow the horehound herb in a pot, or buy dried horehound leaves.

Either way, you can enjoy this type of candy at home made by yourself. It is also a good candy to eat if you have a sore throat or a cold. The naturally bitter kick can soothe any soreness you are feeling.

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Aubrey

Founder at Butter And Salt Gatherings

Hi, I’m Aubrey, and I have been a chef for close to 8 years. Cooking has always been a passion of mine, as long as I can remember. I loved my play kitchen when I was a kid, and would offer my parents my own (albeit gross) cookie recipes to taste!

Here at ButterandSaltGatherings, I want to offer a wide range of ingredients, flavors, meals and recipes so that you can start living each day to the fullest, and enjoy only the best food.

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