Swedish licorice spans an enormous range — from sweet, mild varieties that anyone can enjoy, to extreme salmiak that literally makes some people gag. We've ranked them all by intensity level so you can find your perfect match.
Understanding Swedish Licorice Intensity Levels
Swedish licorice isn't a single flavor — it's a spectrum. At the mild end, you'll find candies that taste like sweet, genuine licorice root with sugar. In the middle, you encounter salmiak (ammonium chloride), which adds a salty, slightly medicinal flavor. At the extreme end, you're eating candies designed to challenge your entire palate.
The key to enjoying Swedish licorice is finding your intensity level. Don't start with Tyrkisk Peber thinking you'll love it — most people don't on a first try. Find your baseline and work up from there.
MILD LICORICE (Level 1-2)
1. Malaco Klassisk Lakritsbål (Classic Licorice Ball)
Intensity: 1/5 | Salmiak: None
This is pure licorice for people who are new to Swedish candy. It tastes like actual licorice root — sweet, slightly earthy, with genuine complexity. No weird flavors, no salmiak surprise, just honest licorice done well. The texture is firm but not hard. This is what you buy if you want to introduce someone to Swedish licorice without scaring them. Available through Malaco, these are the baseline.
2. Malaco Sötlicorice (Sweet Licorice)
Intensity: 1.5/5 | Salmiak: Trace
Similar to Classic but even sweeter, with a hint of sugar coating that makes the licorice taste less austere. This is the gateway for people who grew up with American candy and find pure licorice too intense. The licorice flavor is softened by the sweetness, making it more approachable while still maintaining authentic licorice complexity.
3. Malaco Djungelvrål (Jungle Roar)
Intensity: 2/5 | Salmiak: Light
A layered licorice with sweet exterior and a slight salmiak base underneath. Djungelvrål is beloved in Scandinavia because it's approachable for newcomers but also complex enough for licorice enthusiasts. The salmiak is barely present at first, then builds as you chew. The texture has interesting variation — the coating is softer, but the center has more density. This is where beginners should transition when they're ready for something more sophisticated.
🛒 Shop at Mums Swedish Candy →
🛒 Also available at Swedish Sweets →
MEDIUM LICORICE (Level 2.5-3.5)
4. Malaco Sura Lakrits (Sour Licorice)
Intensity: 2.5/5 | Salmiak: Medium
Takes sweet licorice and adds both sour and salmiak elements. The sour coating hits first, then the salmiak flavors build, balanced by underlying sweetness. This is designed for people who like licorice but want flavor complexity. The sour element makes it accessible to people who think they don't like licorice because it breaks up the pure licorice taste with another flavor dimension.
5. Malaco Lakritsmonster (Licorice Monster)
Intensity: 3/5 | Salmiak: Medium
A firmer, denser licorice with pronounced salmiak flavor. This is where you start noticing salmiak as a distinct taste rather than just a background note. The flavor is complex — licorice, salmiak, and a slight salty quality combine in ways that would have seemed weird a week ago but now seems sophisticated. Texture is chewy and substantial.
6. Malaco Salted Licorice
Intensity: 3/5 | Salmiak: High
Straightforward salted licorice with significant salmiak and actual salt present. The first bite makes most Americans do a double-take — is this candy or medicine? The flavor is salty first, licorice second, with a slight sweetness underneath. This is where you've officially crossed into "acquired taste" territory. People either love this or find it baffling.
7. Malaco Polkagris (Polka Pig) Licorice
Intensity: 3/5 | Salmiak: High
An iconic Swedish candy that combines peppermint and licorice with salmiak. The mint adds brightness that balances the salmiak intensity. This is more approachable than pure salmiak because the mint flavor provides a familiar reference point. If you like mint licorice, this is obvious. If you don't, it's utterly baffling.
EXTREME LICORICE (Level 3.5-5)
8. Malaco Tyrkisk Peber (Turkish Pepper)
Intensity: 4/5 | Salmiak: Extreme
This is the salmiak licorice that makes non-Swedes wonder if Swedes are okay. Tyrkisk Peber has an intense salmiak flavor combined with licorice and a peppery note. Your mouth will water. Your face will contort. You might spit it out. Or you might experience an unexpected moment of clarity where you understand why Scandinavians are obsessed with this flavor. The texture is firm and lasts a long time in your mouth, meaning the salmiak flavor continues to develop and intensify.
9. Malaco Kolsvart (Coal Black)
Intensity: 4.5/5 | Salmiak: Extreme
One of the darkest licorice candies available, Kolsvart is nearly pure salmiak with licorice undertones. It's designed for people who've moved beyond "enjoying" salmiak and into "testing their limits" territory. The flavor is so intense that eating more than a few makes your entire mouth feel strange. Definitely not a casual snack, but absolutely fascinating if you're brave enough to try it.
10. Malaco Lakritsrot (Licorice Root) — Extra Strong
Intensity: 4/5 | Salmiak: Very High
Made from actual licorice root extract, this candy prioritizes authenticity over palatability. The flavor is complex in ways that most candies aren't — you can actually taste herbal notes from the licorice plant itself. Combined with high salmiak levels, this is candy designed for people who genuinely love licorice and salmiak, not people who are casually trying them.
11. Malaco Sura Monster (Sour Monster) — Licorice Variant
Intensity: 4.5/5 | Salmiak: Very High
Combines extreme sour coating with salmiak licorice underneath. You get the sour first, which makes your mouth water, then the salmiak and licorice build. This is for people who want multiple flavor assaults happening simultaneously. Not recommended for first-time salmiak eaters.
12. Malaco Extreme Salmiak Mix
Intensity: 5/5 | Salmiak: Maximum
A collection of the most intense salmiak varieties that Malaco makes, designed specifically for people who have graduated beyond normal licorice and are now in competition with themselves to see how much salmiak they can tolerate. These are conversation-starting candies. People will ask why you're eating something that smells like cleaning supplies. The answer is: you've become a salmiak enthusiast, and there's no going back.
Choosing Your Intensity Level
For American licorice lovers (like Twizzlers or Red Vines): Start with Djungelvrål or Klassisk. Swedish licorice tastes completely different from American licorice — firmer, less sweet, more complex. Give yourself time to adjust.
For people who don't like licorice: Sura Lakrits is worth trying because the sour and salmiak elements change the flavor profile enough to feel unfamiliar. You might find the complexity interesting even if you don't love traditional licorice.
For adventurous eaters: Jump straight to Tyrkisk Peber or Kolsvart. You'll either experience a moment of revelation or understand why people think Scandinavians are insane.
Sourcing Swedish Licorice
Most Swedish licorice varieties are available through specialty candy retailers and online. Check our where-to-buy guide for current options. Malaco dominates the Swedish licorice market, but exploring their full catalog will take months.
🛒 Shop at Mums Swedish Candy →
🛒 Also available at Swedish Sweets →
Every licorice on this list is available from these trusted retailers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is salmiak and why do Swedes love it?
Salmiak (ammonium chloride) is a flavoring compound that creates a salty, slightly medicinal taste. It's been used in Scandinavian candy for over a century and is considered essential to authentic Swedish licorice. Most non-Scandinavians find it weird at first, but many develop a taste for it after exposure. It's an acquired taste, but thousands of people have acquired it and now can't imagine licorice without it. For more information, read our complete guide to salmiak.
Is Swedish licorice healthier than American licorice?
Not necessarily. Both are mostly sugar. Swedish licorice often uses real licorice root extract and fewer artificial ingredients, which some people consider better. But "healthier" is a strong word for any candy. Enjoy it in moderation regardless of origin.
If I don't like one Swedish licorice, should I try others?
Absolutely. Swedish licorice spans an enormous range. Hating Tyrkisk Peber doesn't mean you'll hate Djungelvrål. The flavor profiles are so different that it's worth exploring multiple varieties before giving up on Swedish licorice entirely. Start mild and work up to more intense varieties.
Founder & Editor
Former Swedish candy & FMCG professional turned US-based founder of SwedishCrave. Built the site to fill the gap he saw when he moved stateside.
