Buy liquorice: how to choose soft, sweet or salty liquorice without making a mistake

Buying liquorice seems simple, until you have to choose from dozens of bags with different flavours, textures and sizes. Are you looking for soft liquorice for on the go, salty liquorice for a bold taste, or a liquorice mix to share? In that case, the ingredients list, the weight and the warnings on the packaging are particularly important.

Marketing copy can make a product sound appealing, but it doesn't always tell you what you're actually getting. So look out for these common pitfalls:

• “Mix” doesn't automatically mean lots of variety. Some liquorice mixes contain mostly one type of soft liquorice, while others also include fruit gums, salmiak or mint.
• “Sugar-free” doesn't mean free from sweeteners. Products with maltitol or other sweeteners can have different nutritional values and usage warnings.
• “Dutch” says nothing about the ingredients. Dutch liquorice can contain gelatine, wheat, sulphites or other ingredients that may not suit your diet.
• A large pack isn't always better value. A 550g bag is handy for a party, but less practical if you want to keep your liquorice fresh or you don't eat much.

What to look for before you buy liquorice

1. Flavour and texture

First, decide which type of liquorice suits you:

• Soft liquorice: easy to chew and ideal for on the go or for sharing.
• Sweet liquorice: often milder in flavour, sometimes combined with honey, aniseed or fruit.
• Salty liquorice: typically contains ammonium chloride or salmiak salt for a stronger profile.
• Liquorice mix: great if you want different textures and flavours in one pack.
• Fruit-flavoured liquorice sweets: suitable if you want to combine liquorice with citrus, berries or other fruit.

Also look out for descriptions like “firm”, “chewy” or “soft”. These terms give a practical indication of the bite, but the exact experience will still depend on personal preference and the freshness of the pack.

2. Ingredients, allergens and dietary requirements

Always check the actual packaging. Pay particular attention to:

• Gelatine: many soft liquorice products contain gelatine and are therefore not suitable for vegetarians or vegans.
• Wheat and gluten: Italiano Licorice Sticks, Harlekijntjes and some Venco and Haribo products contain wheat or gluten.
• Sulphites: these can be present in gelatine or other ingredients.
• Vegan composition: Oldtimers Ship Buttons is described in the product information as vegan, gelatine-free and gluten-free.
• Sugar-free liquorice: check which sweeteners have been used and read the warning about possible excessive consumption.

A product without the fourteen main EU allergens is not automatically suitable for every individual allergy. If in doubt, always use the ingredients list on the packaging.

3. Weight, portions and storage convenience

Don't just compare the price, but also the contents:

• A bag of 90 to 120 grams is handy for a bag, drawer or a quick snack supply.
• Packs of 210 to 300 grams are better suited for regular use or sharing at home.
• A size of 400 to 550 grams is practical for birthdays, visitors and parties.

Store liquorice according to the product information in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight and heat. Seal an opened bag well to limit drying out or sticking.

Our recommendations by buyer profile

Suitable for: Budget-conscious beginners

Red Band Original Mix Soft and Sweet Licorice - 235g

Why this suits the profile: This mix combines soft liquorice, fruit flavours and other sweet textures in one bag. That means you don't need to buy several different types separately.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The contents are specifically described as an assortment of gelatine sweets, soft liquorice and marshmallow. So you know that “mix” here means several different types.

Key benefit & highlights

235 grams, gluten-free according to the product information and free from artificial colours. Contains gelatine.

Suitable for: Shoppers seeking top quality

Venco Sweet Licorice Katjesdrop - 235 g

Why this suits the profile: For lovers of a distinctive, firm bite and a more intense liquorice flavour.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The product information states 5.4% liquorice root extract and a firm, chewy texture. This makes the flavour and texture choice clearer than a general mix description.

Key benefit & highlights

235 grams, gluten-free according to the product description and aimed at a firm liquorice texture. Contains gelatine and sulphites.

Suitable for: Specific use & intensive users

Venco Double Salt Liquorice - 120 g

Why this suits the profile: A compact choice for those deliberately looking for salty liquorice with a clear salmiak flavour.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The pack isn't a large liquorice assortment, but 120 grams of traditional salty liquorice. This prevents you from accidentally buying a large supply.

Key benefit & highlights

Contains 9.9% ammonium chloride according to the product information and comes in a small size. Contains sulphites and may contain traces of milk.

Suitable for: Conscious shoppers with dietary preferences

Oldtimers Ship Buttons Licorice - 235 g

Why this suits the profile: This choice suits those specifically looking for vegan and gluten-free sweet liquorice.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The product description explicitly mentions gelatine-free, vegan and gluten-free. Do check these features again on the packaging when you buy.

Key benefit & highlights

235 grams, firm texture, natural flavourings and colourings according to the product information.

Warnings about Dutch liquorice

Liquorice often contains liquorice root extract and ammonium chloride. On some products, the packaging states that people with high blood pressure should avoid excessive consumption. Treat this as a product warning and follow the information on the label.

With sugar-free liquorice, sweeteners such as maltitol may be used. Klene Sugarfree Honey Liquorice, for example, states that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. So sugar-free doesn't mean you can eat unlimited amounts.

If you're buying liquorice for young children, also pay attention to the size and hardness of the pieces. Check the age warning on the packaging.

Frequently asked questions about buying liquorice

Where can I order liquorice online?

You can order liquorice online by first filtering by flavour, brand, weight and properties such as sugar-free or gluten-free. Then compare the ingredients and nutritional values at product level. This way you can choose more specifically between, for example, Venco liquorice, Klene liquorice, Haribo liquorice and other brands.

Which liquorice is suitable if I'm looking for soft liquorice?

Look for products labelled “soft” and check whether the mix also contains other types of sweets. The Venco Soft Sweet Liquorice Mix of 440 grams contains, according to the product information, soft sweet liquorice with honey liquorice, Dutch liquorice and liquorice pieces. For a smaller quantity, there are also bags of around 210 to 235 grams.

Is sugar-free liquorice a good choice?

That depends on your preferences and the sweeteners used. Check the nutritional information table, ingredients and warnings. Oldtimers Sugar-Free Liquorice Rocks and Klene Sugarfree Honey Liquorice are examples of sugar-free liquorice, but their composition and flavour differ. So assess each product individually.