Salmiak & Salty Licorice
Salmiak: Salty Licorice for the Devoted
Salmiak is licorice turned up to full intensity — the sharp, savoury, almost tingling salty style built on ammonium chloride (salmiak salt), not table salt. It's a border-crossing obsession, loved from the Netherlands to the Nordics to Northern Germany and baffling to nearly everyone else. This is the deep end of the licorice world — the double-salt, the salmiak, the seriously salty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is salmiak?
Salmiak is salty licorice flavoured with ammonium chloride, a compound that gives a sharp, savoury, slightly tingling taste distinct from ordinary salt. It's a staple across Finland, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, and Northern Germany.
Is salmiak the same as salted licorice?
Not quite. All salmiak is salty, but the "salt" is ammonium chloride, not sodium — which is why it tastes sharper and more complex than licorice made with regular table salt. That distinction is the whole point for salmiak fans.
Why does salmiak taste so intense?
Ammonium chloride produces a strong, mouth-coating sensation that reads as salty, sour, and almost numbing at once. It's an acquired taste built up over years in the countries that love it — which is exactly why newcomers should start mild.
Ingredients & nutritional facts
Information about ingredients and nutritional values are displayed here to reflect our current products. We recommend you to compare this information with the information on the packaging of the orders that you receive. Any variations will be due to potential transition periods, as a result of new information by the manufacturers.
