Dutch licorice spans more than black anise candy. This roundup covers soft Australian twists, traditional Dutch drops, salted coin candy, strawberry bites, and tangy pink lemonade for candy bowls, desk drawers, road trips, and everyday snacking.
I pay close attention to texture, flavor, pack size, resealability, ingredient considerations, and the practical differences between soft and firm varieties. The honest read is simple: traditionalists gravitate toward dense black drops, while soft twists and fruit flavors suit people who prefer a gentler chew.
A Snapshot Of The Selections
Snackathon Australian Black Twists, 15 oz
Darrell Lea Soft Australian Black Licorice, Pack of 8
K&H Munten Drop Dutch Coin Licorice, 2.3 lb
SweetGourmet Finnska Strawberry Licorice Bites, 1 lb
Venco NL Drop Dutch Black Licorice, 4.23 oz
Darrell Lea Soft Australian Strawberry Licorice, Pack of 8
Darrell Lea Pink Lemonade Licorice, Pack of 8
Inside Each Recommended Option
Snackathon brings the volume in a 15-ounce resealable bag, making the black twists easier to divide among a family, office candy bowl, or weekend snack table. The soft chew feels more approachable than the dense drops represented later by K&H Munten Drop and Venco.
Classic black licorice is the central attraction, though the listing also presents blue raspberry, cinnamon, and green apple variations. For a large gathering, I favor black twists as the familiar center of the bowl, with fruit pieces adding color and choice.
Where It Excels
- The 15-ounce size supports regular snacking and group sharing.
- Jumbo twists create an easy-to-grab shape for candy bowls.
- The resealable package helps protect exposed pieces between servings.
- Soft texture offers a gentler alternative to firm coin-shaped licorice.
Practical Considerations
- The large bag may be excessive for a one-person household.
- Soft candy can lose its shape after warmth or moisture exposure.
- The black flavor is less distinctive than the salted Dutch drops in this roundup.
Quick Facts
Made For
This bag makes the most sense for households, offices, and parties that need a generous supply of soft black licorice.
Another Choice May Suit
K&H Munten Drop Dutch Coin Licorice, 2.3 lb suits traditionalists who prefer firm, slightly salty candy over soft twists.
Darrell Lea focuses on the traditional soft-licorice profile, combining dark Australian cane molasses, licorice root extract, and aniseed. The resulting flavor feels more composed than merely black and sweet, which gives this pack a clear identity within the category.
The eight-bag format works well for lunchboxes, pantry reserves, or regular desk snacks. Compared with Snackathon’s large twist bag, the smaller bags make portioning and storage more straightforward.
Real-World Strengths
- Molasses and anise create a more layered black-licorice profile.
- The soft texture suits long, gradual snacking rather than dense bites.
- Individual bags simplify lunchboxes and pantry organization.
- No palm oil and no high-fructose corn syrup suit ingredient preferences.
- The product is identified as non-GMO and vegetarian-friendly.
Trade Offs
- Eight separate bags take more pantry space than one bulk pouch.
- Traditional anise flavor is less fruity than several other selections.
Key Details
Who It Suits Best
Classic-licorice fans appreciate this choice for its soft texture, dark molasses character, and ingredient-conscious profile.
Where A Sibling Pick Shines
Snackathon Australian Black Twists, 15 oz is a better fit for one large gathering, while this multipack favors organized pantry stocking.
Munten Drop lands closer to the classic Dutch candy-shop experience than the soft Australian choices. Its firm texture and lightly salted sweetness create a slower, denser chew, with enough character for adults who regard licorice as a serious flavor rather than a casual fruit candy.
At 2.3 pounds, this is the largest pack in the group. I see it as a practical option for a busy office, family reunion, or event where candy is expected to sit in one central bowl for an extended period.
What Earns Its Place
- Salt balances the sweetness in a way the fruit-forward soft candies do not.
- The firm texture holds up well for adults who prefer a substantial chew.
- A 2.3-pound pack reduces the need for frequent replenishment.
- The Holland origin directly supports its traditional Dutch positioning.
Things To Consider
- The bulk size needs dry, cool storage and prompt resealing after opening.
- Firm candy can be a poor match for young children or anyone expecting a soft bite.
- Its dense, salty profile is less useful for building a varied candy bowl alone.
Technical Sheet
Built With In Mind
Office snack stations, large family events, and experienced licorice fans benefit from this substantial traditional format.
Reach For A Different Pick When
Darrell Lea Pink Lemonade Licorice, Pack of 8 is a better fit for a lighter fruit profile and individually organized portions.
Strawberry changes the frame here. The SweetGourmet Finnsa pieces emphasize bright fruit flavor and a smooth chew, making them more approachable to people who find black licorice too intense. The bite-size format works well for sample plates and candy bowls.
Unlike the one-pound K&H package, the source identifies a resealable stand-up pouch for this selection, which adds convenience during casual snacking. Fruit-loving snackers gain a useful bridge between familiar strawberry candy and traditional licorice.
Everyday Wins
- Strawberry flavor makes the candy approachable without losing licorice character.
- Individual bites simplify serving and portioning.
- The stand-up pouch supports convenient pantry storage.
- One-pound capacity suits weeknight snacking and medium gatherings.
Minor Gripes
- Soften pieces may become misshapen in a warm car or humid room.
- Traditionalists may find the fruit flavor less intense than black drops.
Feature Snapshot
Right Fit For
Fruit-candy fans, party hosts, and people easing into licorice appreciate the strawberry-forward bite and portable pouch.
Consider Something Else When
Darrell Lea Soft Australian Black Licorice, Pack of 8 fits classic dark-licorice preferences more closely than this fruit-centered option.
Venco offers a compact route into imported Dutch black licorice without the pantry commitment of the 2.3-pound K&H bag. The 120-gram size works nicely for a travel bag, office drawer, or small personal candy stash.
Its firm sweet black profile aligns more closely with traditional drop candy than with the soft Australian lineup. In my view, that makes it a sensible bridge for commuters and travelers who want a few substantial pieces rather than an open sharing bag.
Why It Works Well
- The compact 120-gram format travels more easily than bulk candy.
- Black flavor delivers the familiar profile expected from Dutch drops.
- A firm texture provides a slower chew than soft twists.
- The smaller pack reduces exposure to humidity in a pantry.
Small Caveats
- Four ounces may disappear quickly at a large gathering.
- Owners of the firm format need to reseal the pack carefully in humid conditions.
- The product is more narrowly suited than multipack or bulk alternatives.
On-The-Go Choice
Frequent travelers, commuters, and people keeping candy at work benefit from the smaller imported format.
A Better Fit Elsewhere
K&H Munten Drop Dutch Coin Licorice, 2.3 lb serves large groups better, while Venco favors controlled portions.
Darrell Lea’s strawberry version uses the brand’s familiar soft Australian format, but the fruit profile changes the character considerably. It feels especially useful for lunchboxes and after-school snacks, where individually packed portions are easier to manage than a single open pouch.
Compared with SweetGourmet Finnska Strawberry Licorice Bites, 1 lb, this selection is less suited to building one shared bowl and more helpful for spreading eight small bags across household routines.
Noteworthy Benefits
- Strawberry flavor softens the intensity associated with black licorice.
- Eight 7-ounce bags support separate lunches and snack locations.
- The texture is smooth and soft rather than dense or firm.
- No palm oil and no high-fructose corn syrup align with ingredient preferences.
- The listing identifies the product as non-GMO, vegetarian-friendly, and kosher.
Details To Watch
- Eight bags require more shelf space than a single stand-up pouch.
- Strawberry pieces are vulnerable to heat during summer travel.
Whose Shelf It Belongs On
Families managing lunchboxes, snacks, and several candy preferences benefit from the individually packed strawberry option.
Another Choice May Suit
SweetGourmet Finnska Strawberry Licorice Bites, 1 lb is the better fit for casual sharing through one convenient pouch.
Pink Lemonade is the most unconventional flavor in this group, balancing licorice with a sweet-tart fruit character. That makes it a useful option for adults who find traditional black candy too heavy but still want a distinct licorice chew.
The eight smaller bags preserve the same portability as the other Darrell Lea multipacks, though the tangy profile serves a narrower set of preferences than classic black or plain strawberry. It rewards adventurous candy bowls and packed lunches with something less predictable.
Points In Its Favor
- Pink lemonade adds a tart, refreshing contrast to dense black licorice.
- The soft texture remains gentle and chewy rather than firm.
- Eight individual bags suit lunchboxes and distributed snack storage.
- No palm oil and no high-fructose corn syrup suit specific ingredient preferences.
Possible Compromises
- The fruit flavor may disappoint someone seeking dark molasses and anise.
- Multiple bags consume more cabinet space than one pouch.
- Soft pieces need protection from heat and moisture.
Who Will Love This
Adventurous fruit-candy fans and lunchbox packers enjoy this choice for its tangy take on a soft licorice chew.
Swap It Out When
Darrell Lea Soft Australian Black Licorice, Pack of 8 is the clearer choice for a traditional flavor with deeper molasses character.
Matching Licorice Texture and Flavor to the Occasion
Texture does most of the dividing here. Soft Australian candy bends easily and releases flavor gradually, while Dutch drops provide a firmer, denser chew. A commuter with a desk drawer has different needs from a host filling a party bowl, so pack size matters almost as much as flavor.
Traditional black candy generally relies on anise and dark molasses for depth. K&H adds light saltiness, while Darrell Lea emphasizes a softer Australian profile. Fruit options reduce the intensity: strawberry leans sweet and accessible, whereas pink lemonade introduces noticeable tartness.
Salted black drops suit adults who want the traditional Dutch profile. I favor the soft twists for candy bowls, strawberry bites for fruit-oriented gatherings, and the multipacks for lunchboxes and organized pantry storage.
Small Choices That Change the Experience
Where Shoppers Go Wrong
A common mistake is judging every black licorice by sweetness alone. Texture can be just as important, especially for people accustomed to soft fruit candy. I would also avoid buying a bulk pouch for one or two pieces, since frequent opening makes soft varieties harder to keep in shape.
What Separates Premium From Basic
Higher-priced options may add ingredient considerations, smaller pack organization, or a more specific traditional flavor profile. The upgrade is most worthwhile for lunchboxes, gifting, and buyers who value a particular molasses, anise, or fruit character rather than simply wanting more candy.