Choosing the Right Liquorice: Our Recommendations

Buying liquorice online can sometimes feel like a gamble. You're searching for that specific salty flavour you know and love, but end up with a bag of mostly sweet varieties. Or you hope for a firm bite and get soft, sticky sweets instead. The world of Dutch liquorice is vast, and taste is highly personal. This guide helps you make an informed choice based on factual product characteristics, so you can find exactly what you're looking for.

What to Look for When Buying Liquorice Online

To make the right choice, it's helpful to consider a few objective criteria. Flavour, texture, and ingredients ultimately define the experience.

1. Flavour Profile: Salty, Sweet, or Somewhere in Between

The most defining factor is the flavour. This is primarily influenced by two ingredients: liquorice root extract and salmiak.

• Sweet liquorice: These varieties owe their flavour mainly to sugar, glucose syrup, and liquorice root extract. They are milder and more accessible to a broad audience.
• Salty liquorice: The characteristic salty taste comes from salmiak, also known as ammonium chloride. The intensity ranges from lightly salted to double salt, depending on the percentage of salmiak in the recipe.
• Salmiak liquorice: This is a specific category within salty liquorice where the flavour of salmiak is dominant.
• Honey liquorice: Here, a portion of the sugar is replaced with honey, which provides a specific, often perceived as softer, sweet profile.

2. Texture: Hard or Soft

The texture of liquorice is determined by its ingredients and the production process.

• Hard liquorice: Often contains gum arabic, which creates a firm structure that allows for long-lasting sucking.
• Soft liquorice: Typically uses gelatine or modified starch, resulting in a chewy, soft texture.

3. Ingredients and Composition

A look at the ingredients list provides a wealth of information. Pay attention to the sugar content, the presence of gelatine (not suitable for vegetarians), and any potential allergens. Brands like Klene, for example, focus on recipes with fewer, yet specific, ingredients.

A Selection of Popular Liquorice Varieties

Below, we highlight three different types of liquorice, each with its own unique profile. The selection is based on their product specifications and popularity within their respective categories.

Venco Double Salt Salty Liquorice - 120 g

Why this product This liquorice from Venco is a classic example of an intensely salty variety. The ingredients list specifies a significant percentage of ammonium chloride (9.9%), which explains its powerful, double-salt flavour. It's a traditional product for those seeking an unmistakable salmiak taste.

Benefits

• Intense flavour: The high percentage of salmiak delivers a pronounced salty experience.
• Traditional recipe: Based on a classic formula appreciated by lovers of salty liquorice.
• Delivers on its promise: This product provides exactly what its name suggests: a double-salt flavour.

Who is this for? This product is particularly suitable for the seasoned liquorice enthusiast looking for a strong, distinct salmiak liquorice. For beginners or fans of sweet liquorice, the flavour may be perceived as very intense.

Red Band Original Mix Soft and Sweet Liquorice - 235 g

Why this product The Red Band Original Mix is a liquorice mix that offers variety in a single bag. It combines soft, sweet liquorice with fruit-flavoured sweets. According to the manufacturer, the product contains no artificial colourings and is gluten-free, making it an appealing option for a wider audience.

Benefits

• Variety: A mix of different flavours and textures, ideal for sharing or when you can't decide.
• Soft texture: The sweets are soft and chewy, thanks to the use of gelatine and starch.
• Mild flavours: The focus is on sweet liquorice and fruit flavours, making it accessible for children and adults who don't enjoy strong salmiak.

Who is this for? This mix is an excellent choice for families, for the office, or for anyone who enjoys variety. It's also a great introduction to the world of liquorice for those who prefer to avoid the intense salty varieties.

Klene Pure Honey Liquorice - 180 g

Why this product Klene positions this honey liquorice as a 'pure' product. The ingredients list is relatively short and highlights the use of real honey (15.8%). According to the manufacturer, no artificial colours or flavours are added. This product focuses on the combination of liquorice root and the natural sweetness of honey.

Benefits

• High honey content: With 15.8% honey, this product has a distinctly noticeable honey flavour.
• No added colours or flavours: According to Klene's product information.
• Soft, sweet flavour: A mild liquorice that combines the sweetness of honey with the earthy taste of liquorice root.

Who is this for? This honey liquorice is ideal for consumers looking for a sweet liquorice with a more natural taste experience. It's a great option for those who appreciate the flavour of honey and are seeking an alternative to traditional, sugar-based sweet liquorice.

Looking for More Specific Flavours?

The selection above provides an overview of salty, mixed, and honey-sweet options. However, the world of liquorice is much larger, especially within the salty and salmiak flavour segment. If you're a fan of the distinct taste of salmiak, there are countless other varieties to discover, from powders to hard and soft sweets.

For a broader overview of products where salmiak takes centre stage, you can explore our Salmiak sweets category.

Frequently Asked Questions About Liquorice

1. What is the difference between salty and sweet liquorice? The main difference lies in the ingredients. Sweet liquorice gets its flavour primarily from sugar and liquorice root extract. Salty liquorice also contains ammonium chloride (salmiak), which provides its characteristic salty taste. The amount of salmiak determines how salty the liquorice is.

2. What is Dutch liquorice made of? The base of liquorice is the concentrated juice of the liquorice root plant, known as liquorice root extract. Depending on the recipe, sugar, glucose syrup, a binding agent (such as gelatine, gum arabic, or starch), and flavourings are added. For salty liquorice, salmiak is a crucial ingredient.

3. Is salmiak the same as table salt? No, they are different chemical compounds. Salmiak is ammonium chloride (NH?Cl), while table salt is sodium chloride (NaCl). Although both provide a salty taste, salmiak has a unique, sharp, and sometimes tingling flavour that is characteristic of many types of Dutch liquorice.

Written by the Joybuy Product Recommendation Officer