Tag: Salmiakki

Some salmiakki products contain sweeteners like xylitol, which can have a laxative effect when consumed in excess. This fact is at the heart of the common question: Is salmiakki a laxative? While the candy's unique ingredients do not classify it as a traditional laxative, specific components and overindulgence can lead to digestive issues.

Over 70% of Americans consume too much sodium, often from processed foods and snacks, but for some, the quest for extreme saltiness leads them to a unique confection. So, what is the most salty candy in the world? The contender for this title is widely considered to be Haupt Lakrits Svenskjävlar from Sweden.

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.

Ammonium chloride, designated as food additive E510, is known to impart a distinctly salty, sharp flavor to certain confections, most notably the polarizing salty licorice popular across Nordic countries. Its culinary applications, however, extend beyond just candy to include some baked goods and snacks where it serves multiple functions.

In Northern Europe, a confectionery specialty known as salty licorice, or salmiakki, is flavored not with table salt but with ammonium chloride. This unique ingredient is the surprising reason why salted licorice tastes like ammonia, a flavor profile that is either passionately loved or intensely disliked.

According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), there are no known harmful effects of food-grade ammonium chloride (E510) when used in the quantities typically found in food products. But this widely used ingredient, known for its distinctive taste and functional properties, can still raise questions for health-conscious consumers and those sensitive to its effects.

In a 2023 study published in *Nature Communications*, researchers identified ammonium chloride as a potential sixth basic taste, activating the same receptors that signal sourness. This compound is famously used to give salty licorice, or salmiakki, its unique and potent flavour, leading many consumers to wonder: is ammonium chloride safe to eat in licorice?.