Tag: Dutch sweets

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.

Over 80% of Dutch people consume liquorice, or 'drop,' on a regular basis. The core components of this popular confectionery include licorice root extract, sweeteners like sugar and molasses, and thickeners, but what are the ingredients in Dutch liquorice that make it so diverse and distinctive? The answer lies in key additions like salmiak (ammonium chloride) and different starches.

The Netherlands, Denmark, and Finland rank among the world's highest consumers of liquorice, and much of this is the distinctly flavoured salty variety. So, why do people eat salty liquorice when the taste can be so polarising to those unfamiliar with it? The answer lies in a complex mix of historical context, cultural pride, and a uniquely acquired flavour profile.