Salty liquorice facts for kids
Salty liquorice, also known as Salmiak, is a special kind of candy that tastes both sweet and salty. It's very popular in countries like Finland, Sweden, and the Netherlands. Unlike most candies, its unique salty flavor comes from a special ingredient, not just regular table salt.
Contents
What Makes Salty Liquorice Special?
Salty liquorice gets its unique taste from something called ammonium chloride. This is different from the table salt you use for cooking, which is called sodium chloride. Ammonium chloride gives the candy a sharp, salty, and sometimes slightly sour flavor that many people love.
Different Strengths of Salty Liquorice
Just like some spicy foods can be mild or very hot, salty liquorice also comes in different strengths. In the Netherlands, for example, you can find it as "Zout" (which means Salted), "Dubbel zout" (Double Salt), and "Drievoudig zout" (Triple Salt). This means you can choose how strong you want your salty kick to be!
Where is Salmiak Popular?
While salty liquorice might seem unusual to some, it's a beloved treat in many parts of Northern Europe. It's a big part of the candy culture in countries like Finland, Sweden, and the Netherlands. People there enjoy it in many forms, from small, hard pastilles to softer, chewy candies. The name "Salmiak" itself comes from "Sal Ammoniac," which is another old name for ammonium chloride.
Images for kids
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A pocket tin containing small salmiak liquorice pastilles in the traditional diamond shape. Pastilles are usually of the hard liquorice lozenge variety.
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Salmiak liquorice candy in the traditional diamond shape. These candies are usually of the soft to medium-soft liquorice variety.
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Salmiak liquorice candy produced in various shapes.
See also
In Spanish: Salmiakki para niños
