Van Slooten Licorice Animals

The licorice plant is native to West Asia, North Africa, and Southern Europe and arrived in the Netherlands in the 1600s through international trade. Salty licorice can be an acquired taste; some find the saltiness completely addictive, while others are turned off by the intense flavor. Rather than ordinary table salt, these candies are seasoned with sal ammoniac (ammonium chloride), which is slightly bitter. Sal ammoniac is also used in some cough medicines, and it’s possible that salty licorice was first used medicinally, though it’s now enjoyed as a tasty snack. These fun licorice chews come in the form of tiny animals and feature both sweet and salty flavors.