I explained the concept of acquired taste to my kids as flavors that you generally have to grow up with to find them appealing. Salmiak is a great example of acquired taste. It’s licorice (which in itself is a polarizing taste–people tend to either love it or absolutely hate it), but not the sweet form you can find in grocery stores everywhere. Salmiak licorice cranks the flavor dial up to 19 because it is flavored with ammonia salt (ammonium chloride), which gives it an extremely intense astringent taste.
Salmiak is only common in Scandinavia, the Netherlands, and northern Germany. It’s pretty much impossible to find outside of those areas. People who love salmiak flavor almost invariably grew up with it, and I’ve never met anyone that liked it who wasn’t from one of those countries. Everyone else usually finds it disgusting. In Germany, salmiak licorice has to be labeled “Erwachsenenlakritz-Kein Kinderlakritz” (“Adult Liquorice – Not Children’s Liquorice”). Even my son, who’s the only other person in the house that likes licorice, will not touch the salmiak licorice. It’s pretty much the only candy I can buy for myself and just leave sitting out in the kitchen somewhere because I know it’s in no danger of being pilfered by teenagers in search of a snack.
The little baggies in the picture are salmiak-flavored Fisherman’s Friend menthol drops. I usually carry one of those with me when I am out of the house in the winter because let me tell you, that ammonia salt in combination with menthol will clear your sinuses right up. My daughter came down with COVID a few weeks ago, but nobody else in the house got it. I know it’s likely because she was mostly isolated in her room and we’re fully vaccinated and boostered with the new bivalent shots, but I’d like to think that the virus didn’t find a foothold in my nasal passages because it smelled the ammonia salt from the salmiak and went all, “Nope, nope, nope. I’m out.”
Oh, I *loooove* salmiakki! Ordered 2-kilo tubs of the Fazer Tyrkisk Peber and the Pantteri coins a few years back after trying some smaller packs,and was not disappointed. (I do need to restock my current supply again, too.)
This was especially hilarious at work, because cow-orkers wanted to try it… even after warning them that it wasn’t the regular sweet stuff. One person toughed out on the Pantteri, but no one finished the Peber. (Most did not follow my advice, and went ahead and crunched down into the gooey center.)
More for me, then! 😀
As you say, not everyone a fan.
From Amazon:
These taste disgusting!
Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2023
“These taste disgusting! I was hoping for something similar to Sen-Sen, a licorice candy my dad used to always carry in his pocket, but these have a weird salty taste that doesn’t work at all!”
Pfui! Yours is a cultivated pallet. Enjoy! (I’ll stick with Hershey’s Nuggets.)
Speaking of acquired tastes, as a native New Englander, I love Moxie soda which I cannot get here in Minnesota and have to import when I come to visit family in Exeter. I also challenged myself a few years ago to see what all the fuss was about Vegemite. Now I’m a disciple of that product also. Has your love for grown-up licorice pushed you to try either of these culinary gems?
I love Moxie. It’s an acquired taste as well but one I’ve thoroughly acquired since I moved to New England over 25 years ago. Marmite and vegemite are also great for a savory/umami snack. Most people who try it use way too much of it and spread it like Nutella. The key, of course, is to butter the bread first and then spread a very thin layer of marmite on top.
My husband loves licorice. Maybe I should get him some of this stuff. Too funny! Love your posts, Marko.
Fisherman’s Friend? Really? Should I send you a few packages of Spunk?
I found some salmiak stuff on Amazon. The question is do I dare try it? 🙂
Rheila Salmiak Pastillen (Salty Licorice Bits), for example.
Try it. Just don’t give up after the first piece.
I tried it and… I like it! The stuff I got came in really small pieces, and due to the salt I can only eat a few pieces at a time, but not bad at all. 🙂
Chemical Warfare, Candy Division
Well, I learned something today, thanks to your post! This may be important for the final Jeopardy round some day.