Licorice
Licorice is a typical Dutch candy. There are many different types and flavors, so everyone has a favorite. These sweets are not only very tasty but also hold a piece of nostalgia for many Dutch people living abroad. For expats in the EU, it can often be challenging to find their favorite licorice. Fortunately, Mr. Dutch Food offers a wide range of licorice, so you can always order your favorite licorice online and have it quickly at your fingertips.
Licorice comes in various varieties. On this page, you can learn more about its history, the different types, well-known brands, and how to order this typically Dutch product from Mr. Dutch Food. At the bottom, you’ll also find frequently asked questions about licorice.
Order licorice online from Mr. Dutch Food
Have you emigrated from the Netherlands? Or do you live and/or work in another European country and miss real Dutch licorice? Is it not available where you live? Do you also want these products where you live now? That’s possible! You can order these products via Mr. Dutch Food.
You can order all kinds of Dutch licorice and other Dutch products through Mr. Dutch Food. The selection is huge. You make your shopping choices on the website of the Dutch store(s) where they are available. We will collect the products for you from the chosen store(s) and ship the products, carefully packaged, to you anywhere in the EU.
How can you order licorice?
- Go to the website of the Dutch store from which you want to buy licorice. You can find it at Albert Heijn, Jumbo, PLUS, and the organic store Ekoplaza.
- Fill your shopping cart on that website with licorice and other groceries of your choice.
- Share your shopping cart with us via the order form on the order page.
- (Instructions on how to complete the order form can be found under the section "Order Instructions." There are instructional videos to make it as easy as possible for you.)
- After submitting the order form with your shared shopping cart, you will receive a quote from us.
- If you agree, you pay via the payment link provided.
- We will buy the delicious licorice and other products for you from the store.
- We pack your groceries carefully and send them to your address in the EU!
Mr. Dutch Food delivers Dutch products to individuals and businesses.
Famous licorice brands in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands, there are a few brands synonymous with quality licorice:
Venco
Venco is one of the oldest and most respected licorice brands in the Netherlands, known for its intense and rich flavors. Venco offers a wide range of licorice types, from sweet to salty and from soft to hard.
Haribo
Although this brand originally comes from Germany, Haribo has a strong presence in the Netherlands with a range of licorice products. They offer both traditional licorice and fruity variants like Haribo soft and fruit licorice.
Klene
This brand is also one of the most iconic in the Netherlands, with a long history of making authentic Dutch licorice. Klene is known for its classic flavors and unique textures.
Red band
Another popular brand, especially known for its softer licorice that appeals to both younger and older consumers. Red Band often combines licorice with fruity flavors.
Oldtimers
This brand focuses on more traditional licorice, with recipes inspired by old Dutch traditions. Oldtimers often offers licorice with special flavors and shapes.
Other licorice brands
AH (Albert Heijn)
Jumbo
PLUS
Italiano
Katja
Look-O-Look
Autodrop
Harlekijn
Terrasana
Various types of licorice
Dutch licorice comes in many shapes and flavors. From soft to hard, sweet, salty, fruity, the choice is vast. Through Mr. Dutch Food, you can order all kinds, such as:
Sweet licorice
A mild and sweet version, perfect for those who prefer less intense flavors and popular with a broader audience. Well-known types include honey licorice, mint licorice, and fruit licorice.
Salty licorice
Salty licorice is perhaps the most characteristic form in the Netherlands. Its strong, salty taste comes from ammonium chloride, giving it a distinctive flavor. This licorice is popular with many Dutch people.
Soft licorice
For those who love a soft and chewy texture, soft licorice is the perfect choice. These soft candies offer a mild flavor that can be both sweet and slightly salty.
English licorice
A colorful and versatile mix of different flavors and textures. It combines layers of sweet licorice with fruity flavors and sugar coatings. The product is loved by both young and old.
Fruit licorice
In addition to traditional licorice, fruity variants are also available. For example, Red Band combines the rich taste of licorice with wine gums, providing a tasty mix of flavors.
Salmiak licorice
Salmiak licorice is a popular variant of salty licorice with an extra strong flavor due to the addition of salmiak. This type of licorice is often appreciated by true lovers and comes in various shapes such as coins, diamonds, and rounds.
Sugar free licorice
Sugar-free licorice is an alternative without added sugars, often sweetened with sweeteners like stevia or maltitol. It retains the classic licorice flavor but has less effect on blood sugar levels and is suitable for people wanting to avoid sugar.
Vegetarian or vegan licorice
Many licorice types contain gelatin, derived from animal products. However, there are also vegan licorice varieties, which use gum arabic or cornstarch instead of gelatin.
Some advantages of Mr. Dutch Food
Large assortiment
A large assortment of Dutch supermarkets is available for you, including a wide selection of licorice.
Take advantage of store promotions!
Buy one, get one free at Jumbo? 50% off at Albert Heijn? Most stores have different promotions every week. Take advantage of the store promotions!
Always personal contact
You can call, email, chat or WhatsApp us for all your questions or requests. If there's an issue with your order, we'll personally contact you.
Combine orders of different stores
Do you want products from different Dutch stores or even webshops? We collect them and ship them in one box to you, so you only pay shipping costs once.
The history of licorice
Medicine
Licorice, a beloved treat in the Netherlands, has a long history that dates back thousands of years to ancient civilizations. The base, licorice root (‘zoethoutwortel’ in Dutch), was already used by the Egyptians and Greeks as a medicine. It was employed to treat various ailments such as coughs, sore throats, and digestive issues. Licorice contains glycyrrhizin, a compound with anti-inflammatory properties that can help alleviate respiratory problems like bronchitis. Additionally, it was used to aid digestion and treat stomach ulcers. In some cultures, it was also applied as a remedy for stress and fatigue, due to its stimulating effect on the adrenal glands.
Development
The use of licorice root later spread to Europe. In the 18th century, licorice candy was developed in the Netherlands. During this period, it was discovered that licorice extract could be mixed with sugar, Arabic gum, and other ingredients. This mixture resulted in a sturdy and long-lasting candy. Over time, various types of licorice were produced, including sweet, salty, and double-salted varieties. Its popularity quickly grew, especially in the Netherlands.
Frequently asked questions
From which stores can I order licorice?
You can order licorice from supermarkets such as Jumbo, Albert Heijn, or Plus, or from the organic supermarket Ekoplaza. Click on the links below to go to the stores’ websites and fill your shopping cart. Then, you can share your cart with Mr. Dutch Food. Read on the Order Instructions page how to do this.
Buy licorice from Albert Heijn
Can I buy licorice at a discount?
Absolutely! There are frequent promotions at Dutch supermarkets. You can benefit from the promotional prices via Mr. Dutch Food. Check the Rates page to read how this works. Have a look at the stores’ advertising brochures to see which offers apply this week or next.
Is licorice healthy?
Licorice can have both healthy and less healthy aspects. It contains licorice root, which has anti-inflammatory properties and can help with throat issues. However, due to the presence of glycyrrhizin, excessive consumption of licorice can lead to high blood pressure and potassium deficiency. This is especially true for salty licorice, which also contains a lot of salt. Therefore, moderate consumption is important. Sugar-free variants can be an alternative for people wanting to avoid sugar, but even these should be consumed in moderation.
How much licorice does the average Dutch person eat?
The Dutch are world champions in eating licorice: On average, each Dutch person consumes about 2 kilograms of licorice per year.
Is licorice vegetarian or vegan?
Whether licorice is vegetarian or vegan depends on the ingredients. Many types of licorice contain gelatin, which comes from animal products and is therefore not suitable for vegetarians or vegans. However, there are also variants that do not contain gelatin and instead use gum arabic or corn starch as a binding agent, making them suitable for vegetarians or vegans.
Ekoplaza’s licorice is organic and, in most cases, also vegetarian and vegan. You can buy this licorice through Mr. Dutch Food. Read on our Order Instructions page to learn how this works.
Order licorice from:
Licorice is widely available in the Netherlands. However, as a Dutch expat, it can be difficult to find your favorite licorice abroad. Fortunately, Mr. Dutch Food offers the opportunity to order a wide range of Dutch licorice, wherever you live in the EU. This way, you’ll never have to miss your favorite licorice.
