Salty licorice

A northern European licorice candy flavored with ammonium chloride, called salmiak, which gives it a sharp, salty taste.

Salty licorice: Black diamond-shaped salty licorice candies dusted with white salmiak powder
  • Chocolate, sugar and confectionery
  • Finland

Also called: salmiak, salmiakki, salty liquorice

Salty licorice is especially popular in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, the Netherlands and northern Germany. It combines licorice extract with salmiak salt, which tastes stronger and more tongue-tingling than table salt. Strengths range from mild to very intense, and some pieces are coated in salmiak powder.

The flavor is also used in ice cream, chocolate, liqueur and baked goods in the Nordic countries. It is often a surprise to first-time tasters, but many people there grow up loving it.

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Written by VanillaGoods in our own words from these sources. Last reviewed October 15, 2026.

  1. Specialising in fierce Finnish liquorice, thisisFINLAND (Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland)