Plantikow, age 11, of Paynesvilie, Minn., for his question.:

WHERE DOES LICORICE COME FROM?

Licorice candy is a favorite with lots of young people. Many think the flavor is :such more pleasant than chocolate.

The extract of the flavoring agent comes from the root of a perennial leguminous plant that has pinnate leaves and blue flowers and is cultivated along the Mediterranean in Europe and to a lesser extent in Louisiana and California. The root is dark brown on the outside and yellow inside. It contains a compound called glycyrrhizin, which is 50 times sweeter than sugar.

In addition to being used in the manufacture of candy, licorice is also used to mask the taste of some unpleasant medicines. Licorice medicines are used for coughs and as laxatives.