Today when I arrived home from vacation, I was overjoyed to find September’s selection of licorice from our friends at Licorice International and their Licorice of the Month Club. This package included Pipes from Finland and Sweet Licorice Buttons from Holland.
Being the Candy Addict that I am, I immediately tore into the packages to try them out. I discovered that they share a similar flavor, but a very different texture. The buttons are small, even smaller in circumference than a dime, rather firm, but not too sticky. The pipes are larger, about three inches, and are much softer. They are black on the outside, but a bite reveals a very soft brown inside. They have no stickiness at all, and are very pleasantly smooth.
Both candies have a distinct licorice flavor which isn’t as sugary as some American offerings. They have a subtle sweetness to them, which helps to bring out the licorice flavor, but I admit that I personally prefer a slightly sweeter choice. Still, for a purist licorice fan, these could well hit the spot. As examples of European licorice flavor, they’re very good. I would highly recommend the pipes, which are just slightly less intense than the buttons, and have a wonderfully nice soft texture.
You do a great job of describing our licorices, Caitlin. Enjoy!
September 21st, 2006 at 11:30 amThat’s strange…I just came back from grocery shopping at Meijer(s) and saw a red candy pipe while perusing the clearance shelves. But the pipe I saw was red licorice. I didn’t pick it up because the price was still too high for the size of the candy and the idea a bit strange. I mean, a candy pipe?
September 21st, 2006 at 7:15 pmWell, they aren’t hollow, so it’s really just more of a fun shape. They do also come in red licorice, but I’ve never had the chance to try them.
September 21st, 2006 at 7:17 pm