Buying Liquorice: Our Recommended Picks

Buying liquorice online can be a daunting task. The variety is immense, ranging from intensely sweet to double-salted, and from soft to firm. In this vast landscape of options, how do you find the perfect liquorice for your palate? As a Joybuy Product Recommendation Officer, I'm here to guide you. I filter the market's offerings and provide you with practical information, allowing you to make a choice based on facts, not just marketing hype. This article features a selection of popular options and tips to simplify your search.

What to Look for When Choosing Liquorice

Before making a decision, it's helpful to consider a few key characteristics. Flavour and texture are the most important factors that determine whether a piece of liquorice will appeal to you.

1. Flavour Profile: Sweet, Salty, or Salmiac?

A liquorice's flavour is primarily defined by its concentration of liquorice root extract and the addition of salt or salmiac.

• Sweet Liquorice: Contains a relatively high amount of sugar or glucose syrup and a mild quantity of liquorice root. This results in an accessible, gentle flavour that is loved by a wide audience.
• Salty Liquorice: This type has table salt (sodium chloride) added, which provides a savoury counterpoint to the sweetness of the liquorice. The intensity can range from lightly salted to very salty.
• Salmiac Liquorice: For the true enthusiast. This liquorice contains salmiac salt (ammonium chloride), which creates a sharp, tingling, and sometimes slightly burning sensation. The concentration determines whether it is single or double-salted.

2. Texture: Soft Liquorice or a Firm Bite?

The texture, or mouthfeel, is at least as important. This is influenced by ingredients like gelatine, gum arabic, or modified starch.

• Soft Liquorice: Often made with gelatine or a higher moisture content. These pieces are easy to chew and melt more quickly in the mouth. Ideal for those who enjoy a supple texture.
• Hard or Firm Liquorice: Typically contains more gum arabic, which creates a firm, chewy structure. These require more effort to eat, extending the savouring experience.

Popular Choices for the Liquorice Enthusiast

Below is an overview of three different types of liquorice that provide a good sense of the market's variety. The selection is based on product specifications and consumer popularity.

Venco Soft Liquorice Mix - 225 g

Why It Stands Out This liquorice mix from the renowned Venco brand is a perfect solution for the indecisive liquorice lover. According to the manufacturer, the mix contains a surprising combination of flavours, including salmiac, liquorice-mint, chalk, and even combinations of liquorice and fruit.

Key Benefits

• Variety: A mix of different flavours and shapes in one bag.
• Texture: The pieces have a consistently soft liquorice texture.
• Ingredients: Contains a unique combination of liquorice, salmiac, fruit flavour, and chilli.

Who Is It For? This is an excellent choice for people who enjoy variety or want to share a bag of liquorice with others who have different preferences. If you can't decide between sweet, salty, or something in between, this mix is the answer.

Echte Mannekes Original - 225 g

Why It Stands Out The Mannekes are a classic in the world of Dutch liquorice. This product is aimed squarely at the lover of sweet liquorice. The manufacturer, Matthijs B.V., describes it as "the one and only sweet liquorice" with a soft, sweet taste.

Key Benefits

• Classic Flavour: A pure, unadulterated sweet liquorice taste with no frills.
• Soft Texture: Made with gelatine for a soft and pleasant mouthfeel.
• Natural Additives: According to the product information, it contains natural colours and flavours.

Who Is It For? Perfect for purists seeking a traditional, soft, and sweet liquorice. It's also a safe choice for children or people who dislike the sharp taste of salmiac.

Klene Sea Salt Waterworks - 170 g

Why It Stands Out With its Sea Salt Waterworks, Klene presents a robust salty liquorice. What sets this product apart is the use of 0.6% real sea salt, which, according to the manufacturer, provides a "subtle, salty tang reminiscent of the sea" alongside the powerful salmiac flavour.

Key Benefits

• Intense Flavour: A combination of salmiac liquorice and sea salt for a complex, salty experience.
• Firm Texture: Made with gum arabic, which provides a firm bite that you can chew on for longer.
• Specific Ingredient: The use of sea salt adds a different flavour dimension compared to regular table salt.

Who Is It For? This liquorice is intended for the seasoned connoisseur who appreciates a firm, salty, and pronounced flavour. If you enjoy a powerful salmiac taste with an extra salty note, this is an interesting option. Please note: the packaging states that people with high blood pressure should avoid excessive consumption.

Still Haven't Found What You're Looking For?

The world of liquorice is larger than just these three options. Are you specifically looking for liquorice with the most natural ingredients possible, without gelatine, or with less sugar? There are countless varieties that meet specific needs.

Explore our full range of natural liquorice for more choices.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between salty liquorice and salmiac liquorice?

Although both taste salty, the flavour comes from different sources. Salty liquorice primarily contains table salt (sodium chloride), which provides a familiar, savoury saltiness. Salmiac liquorice contains ammonium chloride, a chemical compound that has a sharper, more tingling, and sometimes slightly medicinal taste. Many salty liquorice types contain a combination of both.

Which type of liquorice has a soft texture?

Liquorice becomes soft through the use of ingredients like gelatine, glucose syrup, and a higher moisture content. Products labelled as "soft liquorice," such as the Venco Soft Liquorice Mix or the Echte Mannekes, are specifically made for a supple chewing experience. Liquorice types with gum arabic are generally harder and chewier.

Is eating too much liquorice unhealthy?

Yes, excessive consumption of liquorice can have adverse effects. This is due to the substance glycyrrhizin from the liquorice root. This substance can raise blood pressure and lower potassium levels in the blood. Dutch authorities like the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) and the Nutrition Centre advise eating liquorice in moderation, especially if you already have high blood pressure. Consult the packaging for specific warnings.