I need suggestions regarding cravings...and this is a weird one! :)

[Lucinda]

I crave spice drops.

Those weird little jellied candies with flavors like clove and anise, allspice, wintergreen, etc. It's the flavors that I am craving and I want to find a way to get them without the candy. The gummy bits are actually really bad for my stomach, and I'd like to cut back on sugars, or I would look at old fashioned hard candies.

Do you know of any good tea blends, or liqueurs that replicate any of the flavors? I know there are a LOT of anise flavored liqueurs, but they are pricey, so I want recommendations of ones that you have tried and like. Same thing with teas, I can't really try a billion brands to see which I like, so i thought i'd ask if you have any favorites...or any other suggestions. I've even thought about adding the oils to sparkling water.

Any suggestions for me?

See....told you this was a good one.

[elleng]

1. I'm advised that Chai (from Lipton and Starbucks) contain the first three.

HAVE FUN!

[Lucinda]

6. Thank you for the suggestion!

Bill had to go out tonight, and I'm having him see what he can find locally.

[elleng]

10. Good luck; hope it works.

Just remembered: anise = fennel seed! See where that gets you!

[beac]

2. I bet you would like this Yogi tea:

http://www.yogiproducts.com/products/details/aztec-sweet-chili/

Delicious hot or cold. Very complex and yet refreshing too.

Their Chai Rooibos and India spice flavors might suit as well. (all their herb tea blends here: http://www.yogiproducts.com/products/category/herbal-tea/)

[Lucinda]

7. Thanks for the links! They both sound really good.

I don't expect to find them locally but at least I can order online!

[Warpy]

3. Do NOT use essential oils. Anything you use needs to be labeled food grade.

A few oils are safe. Many are not.

You can, however, get things like licorice and wintergreen flavoring online, if not in the supermarket.

I'll second the Yogi Tea suggestion. They're spicy enough that they'll probably kill that particular Jones and they're good for you, too.

[GoCubsGo]

5. McCormick sells anise extract.

Most supermarkets should carry it. I suspect Kroger and it's subsidiaries has a house brand, as well. Also, it would be worth checking out Michael's, Hobby Lobby, or any of the other stores that sell cake and candy-making supplies. They're bound to have all those flavors of extracts. If you are willing to mail order, this place has pretty much any extract you want. It even has bacon extract:

http://www.lepicerie.com/catalog/category_416_PASTRY_INGREDIENTS_Flavors_Extracts_Oil_Extracts_page_1.html

[Lucinda]

8. I like the sound of the yogi tea ingredients, so you may be right!

It might definitely take care of the spicy craving.

[The empressof all]

4. try crytalized ginger or candied ginger

If you can not tolerate it on it's own steep it in a cup of green tea. It's wonderful and pungent in a lovely way

[Lucinda]

9. I keep fresh ginger on hand, so it might be fun to make some of my own

I can see how that would be great in green tea. I usually add mint to green, but the ginger would be a nice energy boost too!

[HappyMe]

12. Ginger is good for your tummy too.

[Lucinda]

13. Definitely an extra bonus when you have diverticulosis!

[gkhouston]

11. You could use anise extract to make a syrup to flavor ordinary tea.

There would be sugar involved, but probably less than eating hard candies.

Add 1 cup water to 1-1/4 cup sugar in a small saucepan on medium high heat. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Heat until mixture boils; boil 3-5 minutes (I do 4, since I keep this stuff in the fridge and it's too thick, otherwise), then take off the heat and add flavoring. It only takes about 1/4 teaspoon of peppermint extract but closer to 1-1/2 tsp almond or vanilla, so take the intensity of the extract into account. Let cool completely. I store mine in an old 12 oz coffee flavoring syrup bottle.

[Lucinda]

14. Thanks for the suggestion!

I could make an anise sparkling water with that.

[supernova]

15. RE: chai tea

A friend of my SOs used to make their own chai tea. One of their favorite tricks was to get loose leaf tea then store the tea leaves with the spices you want. The spices will flavor the tea over time.

Here is one recipe:


http://www.chai-tea.org/rec/rec104.html

[Lucinda]

16. Thank you for the idea and the link!

Making my own would probably be the best long term solution, especially if I find a flavor combo that i really like.

[Lucinda]

17. Bill found a Chai from Stash. Tastes like pumpkin pie in a cup

which is not a bad thing. I think it needs cream though, rather than plain or milk. Still yummy stuff.

Still looking for the right thing to cover the anise cravings...

[japple]

18. Ginger Chews - available at most natural foods stores!

[Lucinda]

21. Thank you! That sounds interesting!

I love ginger. I always add it to my daily juice blends.

[supernova]

19. Re: Anise, have you tried ouzo?

Ouzo is a Greek anise flavored liquor. And quite strongly flavored at that. We have some that a friend brought back from Greece. If only moonshine hoped to pack that kind of wallop!

Same for it's Italian cousin Sambucca. Apparently, a way to end lunch or dinner is w/ espresso and shot of Sambucca in it.

[Lucinda]

20. Nope. Not yet!

There are so many great options for aperitifs and liqueurs that I was hoping someone had a favorite. I didn't realize Ouzo was anise flavored! Thanks for the suggestion!