Why Dutch Licorice Will Always Have My Heart

Why Dutch Licorice Will Always Have My Heart

Assorted Dutch licorice types on a wooden table

Image Credit: DutchBox.club

I still remember the sound of crinkling paper as I unwrapped my favorite treat after school—a small handful of drop, the beloved Dutch black licorice. For most Americans, licorice might be that forgotten candy in a Halloween stash, but for us Dutchies, it’s a national treasure. It's bold. It's salty. It's sweet. It's bitter. It's everything... and more.

Growing up in the Netherlands, licorice wasn’t just a candy—it was part of our culture. Whether you were on a road trip with your family, visiting your grandparents, or just hanging out with friends, drop was always within reach. We didn’t think twice about tossing a double-salted coin-shaped licorice into our mouths—it was just part of being Dutch.

Types of Dutch Licorice

  • Zoute Drop (Salty Licorice): Strong, briny, and unapologetically Dutch. A love-it-or-hate-it experience for newcomers.
  • Dubbel Zout (Double Salt): Intensely salty and powerful. Only for the bravest licorice lovers.
  • Honingdrop (Honey Licorice): Softer and sweeter with real honey—comforting and nostalgic.
  • Muntdrop (Coin Licorice): Mild and chewy, shaped like old Dutch coins. A childhood favorite.
  • Katjesdrop (Cat Licorice): Cute cat shapes, perfectly balanced in flavor and fun for kids.
  • Engelse Drop (Licorice Allsorts): Colorful and layered, combining black licorice with fondant.

While Americans often say, “It tastes like medicine!” we say, “It tastes like home.” Dutch kids grow up with licorice the way others grow up with peanut butter and jelly. It’s in our lunchboxes, at our birthday parties, and even in herbal medicine.

That’s what makes Dutch licorice so enduring. It’s more than just candy—it’s memories. It’s a childhood staple that grows with you and somehow, even decades later, still feels like a hug from home.

If you’re new to drop—welcome. Start with the milder varieties like honingdrop or muntdrop. Let your taste buds adapt. And who knows? Maybe you’ll fall in love with the flavor of the Netherlands.

Browse our Dutch licorice collection and start your journey into this bold, beautiful tradition.

Location: Mission Viejo, CA, USA

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