What is this liquoric​e infatuation in Scandinavia?

If you ever visit the Nordic countries, you’ll come across liquorice in some form pretty rapidly. We just love the stuff, and I admit I have been a huge fan of salty liquorice since I was a child.

But it is a bit like Marmite, coriander, blue cheese, and brussel sprouts – either you love it – or you simply hate the stuff.

But the last 10 years has seen a change in the way we eat it. You see, some clever people had the idea of coating the liquorice with chocolate, and that made the salty stuff become a delicacy and something everyone would at least try once.

Whether you’re a fan or not, there is no doubt that liquorice is here to stay.

One of the first people to really study LAKRIDS (Danish word for it) was Johan Bülow, who went on a mission to make the world love liquorice. 

He started creating the classic sweet or salty kinds, adding flavour and spices as he went along. He was also the first who developed the idea to coat the liquorice with chocolate with his production manager Tage. 
They were told that it couldn’t be done – but their idea was an instant success – even my young daughters are obsessed and would rather save their money and buy a box of liquorice than any other sweet.

Many others produce tasty and delicious flavours, combinations, and good old Haribo  &  Katjes still has a few favorites of mine. I always go for either Piratos, Blue Jeans or Salty Fish – yummy.

Liquorice is the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra from which a sweet flavour can be extracted. It has been used medicinally for over 4,000 years.

Liquorice is now SO popular you can buy liquid liquorice for your cooking, alcohol flavoured liquorice, liquorice ice cream, liquorice spread,or just the good old version of liquorice.

In Denmark at Christmas time we all purchase Advent calendars, – so you get a sweet treat every day in December for 24 days leading up to Christmas. We simply love the Advent calendar from Johan Bulow, simply because it is the best. AND might I add this is NOT an advertisement – just something we like and the best licorice in town as far as we are concerned in this family.

So are you a fan? Let me know in the comments. When I lived in the UK there was a massive dislike for liquorice, – I just wonder if the Scandies have managed to revert the trend from back then?