Tag: Dutch licorice

The Netherlands, with its more than 75 varieties, has a deep-rooted passion for licorice, known as 'drop,' which often distinguishes itself sharply from other black licorice candies. Understanding what are the ingredients in Dutch licorice reveals why its flavor profile is so intense, varied, and, for many, an acquired taste.

Most traditional Dutch licorice, known as 'drop', is made with licorice root extract and therefore contains glycyrrhizin, the compound that provides its distinct sweet taste and flavor. However, the amount of this component varies significantly depending on the type of candy, from sweet to the notoriously strong, double-salty varieties.

With a staggering annual consumption of nearly two kilograms per person, the Netherlands leads the world in eating black licorice, known locally as 'drop'. This extraordinary national passion for the famously polarizing candy, from sweet honey to intense salmiak, is a uniquely Dutch cultural phenomenon.

The Netherlands is the world's largest consumer of licorice, with a cultural affinity for both sweet and intensely salty varieties. While often seen as a simple confection, genuine licorice candy, especially the robust Dutch kind, comes with significant health implications that are crucial for consumers to understand.

The Netherlands consumes more licorice per capita than any other country, with the average person eating over four pounds annually. This national obsession, known locally as 'drop', is driven by a unique flavor profile and unparalleled variety that sets it apart from licorice made elsewhere in the world.