Joybuy Insights

Buying Dutch liquorice: how to choose soft liquorice, liquorice mix or vegan sweets

Dutch liquorice comes in many forms: soft liquorice, sweet liquorice, salmiak liquorice, wine gums and fruit combinations. That can make a bag of sweets seem like a simple purchase. However, differences in ingredients, size and texture can be important. A liquorice mix that looks generous in the photo might, for example, consist mainly of one type of sweet. And a product labelled “gluten-free” is not automatically vegan.

As Joybuy Product Recommendation Officer, I filter the most important product information so you can separate marketing language from verifiable features.

Three pitfalls when buying Dutch liquorice

1. “Mix” doesn’t always mean lots of variety

A liquorice mix may contain several shapes, but still offer mostly the same flavour. So check the product description. Venco Soft Sweet Liquorice Mix 440 g, for instance, mentions honeycomb, Dutch liquorice and pieces of liquorice with liquorice extract. That tells you more about the variety than just the word “mix” on the front.

With a combination of liquorice and fruit sweets, it’s also useful to see whether the fruit flavour is in separate sweets or combined with liquorice in one piece. Red Band Dropfruit Duos is described in the product information as a combination of liquorice and fruit flavour in one sweet.

2. Soft, sweet and mild are not fixed standards

“Soft liquorice” usually refers to the texture, not a fixed percentage of ingredients. One soft sweet mix is elastic and fruity, another has a distinct bite from salmiak or liquorice extract. If you’re looking for soft, sweet liquorice, it’s worth paying attention to words like soft, chewy, foam layer and the flavourings mentioned.

The amount of liquorice root, ammonium chloride and aniseed oil can also give an indication of the flavour profile. This isn’t a direct prediction of personal taste, but it helps with comparison.

3. Vegan and gluten-free are often confused

Gluten-free means the product is stated to contain no gluten or none of the fourteen main EU allergens. That doesn’t mean it’s free from gelatine or beeswax. For vegan liquorice, you need to check the ingredients list for gelatine, milk derivatives and beeswax.

Autodrop Vegan Cadillacs is described in the product information as vegan and gluten-free. Venco Jubes is described as suitable for vegans and gluten-free. In contrast, several Venco and Red Band products contain gelatine, even when they are described as gluten-free.

What details should you check before buying?

1. Weight and portion size

Don’t just compare the price of a bag. Look at the net weight and, if available, the price per 100 grams. In the range, packs vary from 200 to 440 grams. A larger pack can be handy for a family, but a smaller bag is often more practical when you want to try a variety.

Some products also state a portion size. Venco Soft Sweet Liquorice Mix 440 g lists 25 grams per portion, roughly five pieces, and seventeen portions per pack. That makes the contents easier to gauge.

2. Ingredients, allergens and dietary requirements

If you have allergies, always check the label on the packaging. Product information can change. Pay particular attention to:

  • Gelatine: usually of animal origin; not suitable for vegans.
  • Wheat or wheat starch: relevant for a gluten-free diet.
  • Sulphites: can be present in liquorice, for example via liquorice extract.
  • Ammonium chloride or salmiak salt: partly determines the salty or sharp flavour.
  • Liquorice (glycyrrhizin): Venco states that people with high blood pressure should avoid excessive consumption.

Autodrop Cadillacs and Autodrop Vegan Cadillacs are described as gluten-free in the product information provided. Venco Tikkels Drop & Fruit, on the other hand, mentions gluten or possible presence of gluten. So always check the current packaging, especially if you have coeliac disease or a serious allergy.

3. Sugar, flavour and nutritional value

Liquorice and wine gums are sweets and generally contain a lot of sugar. In the products listed, the sugar content is roughly between 52 and 63 grams per 100 grams. Autodrop Forest Fruit Red Cadillacs states 57 grams of sugar per 100 grams; Venco Jubes states 54 grams.

A nutritional value or Nutri-Score declaration doesn’t automatically make a product suitable for unlimited consumption. Use the information mainly to compare products with each other, and keep the recommended portion in mind.

Our recommendations by buyer type

Suitable for: Budget-conscious beginners
Red Band Original Mix Soft and Sweet Licorice - 235g

Red Band Original Mix Soft and Sweet Licorice - 235g

Why this fits the profile: This combination is suitable if you want to try different flavours without immediately choosing a large pack. According to the product description, the mix contains soft liquorice, gelatine sweets and marshmallow.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The product information explicitly names the different types of sweets. This gives you a better idea of what to expect from the “mix”.

Key benefit & plus points

235 grams, a combination of fruit and liquorice types, and stated as gluten-free in the product information.

Suitable for: Shoppers looking for top quality
Venco Soft Sweet Liquorice Mix - 440 g

Venco Soft Sweet Liquorice Mix - 440 g

Why this fits the profile: A generous bag for fans of soft and sweet liquorice who want several classic liquorice shapes at home.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The contents mention honeycomb, Dutch liquorice and liquorice with pure liquorice extract. The variety is therefore described more concretely than a general mix claim.

Key benefit & plus points

440 grams, soft texture and flavours such as salmiak, honey and aniseed. Contains gelatine and is therefore not vegan.

Suitable for: Specific use & heavy users
Venco Jubes - 235 g

Venco Jubes - 235 g

Why this fits the profile: Suitable for anyone specifically looking for soft, sweet and salty liquorice with a distinct salmiak flavour, without a fruity mix.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The description makes it clear that this is soft, sweet and salty liquorice. So you’re not buying a broad liquorice mix with wine gums and fruit flavours.

Key benefit & plus points

235 grams, 4.9% liquorice root extract according to the product information, and labelled as vegan and gluten-free.

Suitable for: Families and vegan sweet lovers
Autodrop Vegan Cadillacs - 280 g

Autodrop Vegan Cadillacs - 280 g

Why this fits the profile: A practical choice for households looking for vegan sweets with fruity flavours and a recognisable soft wine gum texture.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The product information mentions vegan and gluten-free separately. This makes the difference between the two dietary characteristics clearer.

Key benefit & plus points

280 grams, strawberry, blackberry and cherry flavour, without the fourteen main EU allergens according to the product information.

Looking for more options?

We’ve put together a full, up-to-date list of products that fully meet these strict selection criteria and current European safety regulations.

Frequently asked questions about Dutch liquorice

What is the difference between Dutch liquorice and salmiak liquorice?

Dutch liquorice is a broad category with sweet, salty, soft and hard varieties. Salmiak liquorice usually contains ammonium chloride or salmiak salt and therefore has a saltier or sharper flavour. Check the ingredients list if you’re specifically looking for salmiak liquorice.

Which Dutch liquorice is vegan?

That varies by product. Venco Jubes and Autodrop Vegan Cadillacs are labelled as vegan in the product information. Many other types contain gelatine or beeswax. Always check the current ingredients list and the vegan label on the packaging.

Is Dutch liquorice gluten-free?

Some products are gluten-free, including several Autodrop varieties and Venco Jubes according to the product information provided. Other products, such as Venco Tikkels Drop & Fruit, mention gluten or possible presence of gluten. If you have a medical requirement, the label on the packaging is definitive.

How do you store an opened bag of liquorice?

Store liquorice in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, heat and moisture. Seal the packaging well after opening. This helps prevent drying out and keeps the texture consistent for longer. Do not use damaged packaging.