In the Netherlands, licorice is more popular than chewing gum. It's not strange to find over thirty varieties at a single shop. Gerrit Verburg, our importer who's from the Netherlands, told me that Dutch parents have somehow convinced themselves that giving kids licorice instead of other sweets is OK. Good for them.

Here, licorice is more of an adult thing and I’m OK with that. Especially when it’s like this. Heads up: it's slightly salty, like the Dutch prefer. Made in traditional coin shapes, illustrated at right, with natural gum arabic.