A Guide to Trader Joe's Licorice Varieties
Trader Joe's is known for its wide and sometimes surprising range of unique snacks, and its selection of soft licorice is no exception. However, the ingredients can vary significantly depending on the flavor and type of licorice you choose. Understanding these components is essential for anyone with dietary restrictions or specific flavor preferences.
Soft Black Licorice Twists
The classic Soft Black Licorice Twists from Trader Joe's are produced by a family-owned business in New Zealand, using a special cooking and cooling method to achieve their distinctive chewiness. This variety is known for its strong, authentic licorice flavor, which comes from a combination of licorice root extract and aniseed oil.
Key ingredients include:
- Wheat Flour: The primary structural component, meaning this product is not gluten-free.
- Glucose Syrup and Cane Sugar: Provide sweetness and texture.
- Molasses and Treacle: Contribute to the dark color and rich, deep flavor profile characteristic of black licorice.
- Licorice Paste and Aniseed Oil: The core flavoring agents.
- Glycerine and Oils: Help maintain the soft, moist consistency.
- Confectioner's Shellac: A coating to prevent sticking.
Soft Strawberry Licorice Twists
For those who prefer a fruitier, less intense licorice experience, Trader Joe's offers the Soft Strawberry Licorice Twists. This product also uses a New Zealand-based supplier and is made with natural strawberry flavor and coloring from fruit and vegetable concentrates. This eliminates the need for artificial dyes.
The main ingredients are:
- Wheat Flour: Again, this confirms the product is not gluten-free.
- Cane Sugar and Glucose Syrup: The sweeteners.
- Natural Flavors: Specifically strawberry.
- Licorice Paste: Included even in the fruity version, giving it a depth not found in some other red licorice candies.
- Malic Acid and Citric Acid: Provide a slight tartness to enhance the fruit flavor.
- Color (Fruit & Vegetable Juice Concentrates): Provides the red hue.
- Confectioner's Shellac: For a glossy finish.
Trio of Soft Licorice Twists
The Trio of Soft Licorice Twists offers a mix of Raspberry, Mango, and Green Apple flavors. This product is also a soft and chewy Australasian-style licorice. Its formulation is similar to the strawberry version but with different flavorings and a slightly different finish.
Common ingredients across the trio include:
- Wheat Flour, Sugar, Glucose Syrup, Water, Glycerin, Rice Bran Oil.
- Natural Flavors.
- Malic Acid and Citric Acid.
- Licorice Paste.
- Color Added (Vegetable Juice, Fruit Juice, Turmeric).
- Confectioner's Glaze (Carnauba Wax, Coconut Oil): Differs from the shellac used on the single-flavor twists.
Panda Black Licorice
In addition to their house-brand licorice, Trader Joe's sometimes carries Panda Black Licorice, a popular Finnish brand. The ingredients for this product are known for their simplicity and natural sourcing. It is also fat-free, vegan-friendly, and Kosher certified. You can explore the manufacturer's own product page for details on their process: Panda™ Licorice.
The simple ingredient list is:
- Molasses
- Wheat Flour
- Licorice Extract
- Aniseed Oil
Former Gluten-Free Option: Scottie Dog Licorice
For customers seeking a gluten-free option, Trader Joe's once carried a specific product. Around 2010, the Scottie Dog licorice was confirmed as gluten-free by customers and staff. However, this item is not currently listed on the Trader Joe's website, indicating it has likely been discontinued. Its ingredients were significantly different, relying on starches instead of wheat flour for its base.
Scottie Dog ingredients included:
- Corn syrup
- Sugar
- Modified corn and potato starch
- Coconut oil
- Carnauba wax
- Anise oil
- Caramel color
- Licorice root extract
Comparison Table: Trader Joe's Licorice Ingredients
| Feature | Soft Black Licorice | Soft Strawberry Licorice | Trio of Soft Licorice | Panda Black Licorice | Former Scottie Dogs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base Flour | Wheat Flour | Wheat Flour | Wheat Flour | Wheat Flour | Modified Corn & Potato Starch |
| Sweeteners | Glucose Syrup, Cane Sugar, Molasses, Treacle | Cane Sugar, Glucose Syrup | Sugar, Glucose Syrup, Molasses | Molasses | Corn Syrup, Sugar |
| Black Flavoring | Licorice Paste, Aniseed Oil | Licorice Paste | Licorice Paste | Licorice Extract, Aniseed Oil | Anise Oil, Licorice Root Extract |
| Fruity Flavoring | N/A | Natural Strawberry | Natural Raspberry, Mango, Green Apple | N/A | N/A |
| Gluten-Free? | No | No | No | No | Yes (Discontinued) |
| Coating/Glaze | Confectioner's Shellac | Confectioner's Shellac | Confectioner's Glaze (Carnauba Wax, Coconut Oil) | None (Natural Finish) | Carnauba Wax, Coconut Oil |
Key Ingredients and Additives
Wheat and Gluten Content
As the table clearly shows, all of the currently available house-brand licorice options from Trader Joe's contain wheat flour. This means they are not suitable for individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities. The previously available Scottie Dog licorice was the notable gluten-free exception.
Natural Flavorings and Colors
Trader Joe's takes pride in using natural ingredients where possible. The fruity licorices, for instance, get their colors from fruit and vegetable concentrates rather than synthetic dyes. This reflects the brand's general trend toward cleaner, more natural ingredient lists.
Vegan Considerations
For those following a vegan diet, the Panda Black Licorice is explicitly marketed as vegan-friendly. The ingredients in Trader Joe's own licorice products, with the exception of the Confectioner's Shellac in the single-flavor twists, appear to be plant-based. Shellac is derived from insects, so strict vegans should check this ingredient carefully.
Conclusion
The ingredients in Trader Joe's licorice are not one-size-fits-all and depend on the specific product. The core soft licorice twists, both black and fruity, are primarily made with wheat flour, sugars, and natural flavorings derived from sources like licorice paste, aniseed oil, and fruit juice concentrates. These products are generally not gluten-free. For a truly simple, all-natural black licorice, the Panda brand is a standout choice. Customers seeking a gluten-free alternative should be aware that the former Scottie Dog licorice has likely been discontinued. Ultimately, checking the specific package is the best way to confirm the ingredients for your favorite Trader Joe's licorice variety before purchasing.
