We have encountered a human food called black licorice.
It is black.
This is unusual for food.
We have not yet determined whether the color is intended to warn humans.
Some humans appear to believe it is delicious.
Other humans react to it with immediate rejection.
There does not appear to be an intermediate response.
We observed a human place a piece of black licorice into his mouth.
He began chewing.
His facial expression changed.
He continued chewing.
We initially believed this indicated distress.
It did not.
He wanted another piece.
This requires further investigation.
We examined the substance more closely.
Humans describe its flavor as anise.
We have encountered the word anise several times.
It has not helped.
The flavor is strong enough that humans can identify black licorice without seeing it.
This suggests the human sensory system has developed a specific warning mechanism for this food.
The mechanism appears to be optional.
Some humans have apparently chosen to ignore it.
We also observed humans separating black licorice from other candy.
They do not always throw it away.
Some humans keep it.
Some humans eat it first.
These individuals may possess unusual sensory preferences.
We will not approach them without additional observation.
An important question remains unanswered:
If humans have created hundreds of different candy flavors, why did they create one that tastes like this?
Our current theory is that humans occasionally create unpleasant things on purpose.
We have documented this behavior in several other areas of human civilization.
Further investigation is required.
Field conclusion:
Black licorice is a food that humans have somehow agreed is both candy and a test of character.
We do not understand this species.
End of Field Report.
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