The Netherlands is the world's largest consumer of licorice per capita, and Dutch drop comes in a dizzying range of varieties. Sweet, salty, soft, hard, honey-flavored, menthol, and the famously intense salmiak (salty ammonium chloride licorice) - there is a flavor for every level of adventurousness.
For many Dutch people, drop is simply an everyday candy. Office desks, car dashboards, and kitchen counters across the Netherlands often have a bag of drop within arm's reach. It is comfort food with a strong personality.
Visitors to the Netherlands are often surprised by zoute drop (salty licorice) and dubbel zout (double salt), which can be an acquired taste. Dutch people often recommend starting with sweet or honey drop before working your way up to salmiak.
How to Enjoy Drop
- Start with sweet or honey drop if you are new to Dutch licorice
- Try zoute (salty) drop once you are comfortable - it is an experience
- Keep a bag at your desk for a Dutch-style afternoon snack
- Share with friends and watch their reactions to salmiak or dubbel zout
