Buying Liquorice: A Guide to Making the Right Choice

As a Joybuy Product Recommendation Officer, I see the vast array of choices available when you want to order liquorice online every day. From sweet liquorice to double-salt varieties, and from well-known brands like Klene and Venco to sugar-free options. This abundance can make it difficult to find exactly what you're looking for. Sometimes, a purchase ends in disappointment due to unclear product information or marketing that overpromises and under-delivers. This guide will help you avoid the pitfalls and choose the liquorice that's truly right for you.

What to Look For When Buying Liquorice

Before you place a bag of liquorice in your digital shopping cart, it's wise to consider a few common missteps.

1. The "sugar-free" trap: Many people opt for sugar-free liquorice thinking they are making a healthier choice. What is often not immediately clear is that sugar is replaced by sweeteners like polyols (e.g., maltitol). According to information from manufacturers, excessive consumption of these can have a laxative effect. Moreover, these sweeteners still contain calories. So, it's not a "free pass" to snack without limits.
2. The liquorice mix disappointment: A liquorice mix sounds like a party in a bag but can sometimes be a letdown. The packaging might show an appealing mix of soft, hard, sweet, and salty pieces, but in reality, the ratio can be different. You might end up with a bag full of hard pieces when you were hoping for the soft varieties.
3. Vague "soothing" claims: Especially in the colder months, liquorice with a soothing promise is popular. Terms like "soothing for the throat" are often used. However, it's important to check which ingredients contribute to this effect. Is it honey liquorice that actually contains honey, or are they throat lozenges with specific additives like eucalyptus?

Choosing the Right Liquorice: What Really Matters

To make an informed choice, it's helpful to focus on a few objective characteristics. These specifications, found on the packaging or product page, tell you exactly what to expect.

Flavour Profile and Texture

Not all liquorice is created equal. The flavour and texture define the entire experience. The main differences are:

• Sweet liquorice: Mild in flavour and often made with sugar, glucose syrup, and licorice root extract.
• Salty liquorice: In addition to licorice, it contains salmiac salt (ammonium chloride), which provides the characteristic salty taste. The intensity can range from lightly salted to double salt.
• Texture: The bite is crucial. Soft liquorice often contains gelatin or gum arabic, making it easier to chew. Hard liquorice has a firmer structure and is meant to be sucked on for longer.

Decoding the Ingredient List

The ingredient list is your most important tool. Pay special attention to the following components:

• Sweeteners: Is it sugar, glucose syrup, or an alternative like maltitol or steviol glycosides? This determines not only the taste but also whether the product is labelled as sugar-free.
• Binding Agents:Gum arabic typically creates a firmer, more traditional liquorice. Gelatin (often from pork) provides a softer, more rubbery texture. Modified starch is a common plant-based alternative.
• Allergens: Many types of liquorice contain gluten due to the use of wheat flour. Sulphites, which can be present in molasses (a by-product of sugarcane), are another allergen to watch out for.

Recommended Products to Consider

To help you get started, we've highlighted a few popular choices and matched them with different preferences.

MATCH FOR: The Conscious Connoisseur

Klene Sugar-Free Honey Liquorice - 110 g

Why This Fits Their Persona: Ideal for those who love the taste of honey liquorice but want to limit their sugar intake. The resealable packaging makes it convenient for on the go.

How It Avoids the Trap

This product is transparent about its use of sweeteners (maltitol syrup, steviol glycosides) and includes the warning about a laxative effect. You know exactly what you're getting instead of a vague "sugar-free" claim.

Key Advantage & Pros

Completely sugar-free with the taste of honey. Made with gum arabic for a firm texture.

MATCH FOR: The Traditional Enthusiast

Harlekijntjes Soft Sweet Liquorice - 300 g

Why This Fits Their Persona: For those seeking the classic, familiar taste of soft and sweet liquorice. A well-known favourite in many Dutch households.

How It Avoids the Trap

This isn't a vague mix, but a specific product. You know exactly what you're getting: the famous soft and sweet Harlekijntjes. No surprises, just the taste you expect.

Key Advantage & Pros

A popular soft and sweet liquorice. Contains gelatin for its soft texture. Plus, your purchase supports the work of the CliniClowns foundation.

MATCH FOR: The Sharer

Venco Mixed Liquorice Assortment - 440 g

Why This Fits Their Persona: Perfect for the office, a birthday, or just the candy jar at home. This mix offers something for everyone, with both sweet and salty options.

How It Avoids the Trap

This liquorice mix avoids the "surprise bag" pitfall by clearly specifying the four types it contains: honey liquorice, farm liquorice, jubes, and griotten. So you know which flavours to expect.

Key Advantage & Pros

A varied mix of four well-known Venco classics. The large value pack is ideal for sharing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Liquorice

What is the difference between salty liquorice and salmiac liquorice?

Although the terms are often used interchangeably, they refer to the same main ingredient: salmiac salt (ammonium chloride). Therefore, all salty liquorice is essentially salmiac liquorice. The concentration of salmiac determines how salty the liquorice tastes, ranging from lightly salted to double salt.

Can I eat too much liquorice?

Yes. Liquorice contains the substance glycyrrhizin from licorice root extract. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, high intake of this can raise blood pressure and cause fluid retention. For this reason, most manufacturers place a warning on the packaging: "contains licorice - people with high blood pressure should avoid excessive consumption."

Is sugar-free liquorice healthier?

Sugar-free liquorice contains less or no sugar, which can be beneficial for your teeth and blood sugar levels. However, the replacement sweeteners (polyols) still provide calories and can cause gastrointestinal issues if consumed excessively. It's still candy, so enjoy in moderation.