Klepper & Klepper has a new liquorice flavor: spicy salt with seaweed
Klepper & Klepper, you know, the makers of the best liquorice ever, have launched a new flavor. The spicy, salty liquorice is made with a surprising ingredient: seaweed. But whether it tastes good…
Let’s start at the beginning. At FavorFlav editorial, we’re serious liquorice eaters, and one of our favorite liquorices comes from Klepper & Klepper. Their very sweet and mildly salty varieties… If there’s a bag on my desk, it’s empty within half an hour. So I was wildly curious when I heard they had launched a new variety. With seaweed—how on earth did you come up with that?
Umami liquorice
The story goes that Klepper Jr. went out for Japanese food and was bowled over by the distinctive fifth taste, umami. Wildly enthusiastic, Klepper Jr. approached Klepper Sr. sometime toward the end of 2021 with the idea of making an umami liquorice. With, you guessed it, seaweed in the starring role.
Super healthy
The idea is pretty good. Because seaweed doesn’t just have an umami taste; it also has a salty taste. And umami enhances that flavor even further. Aside from its spicy, salty umami flavor, seaweed is a good source of iron and protein and is packed with minerals such as phosphorus, calcium, and iodine. And if you take that reasoning a step further, you could say it’s a remarkably healthy piece of liquorice—not that you notice any of that (the quantities are too small for that), but the idea that you’re eating liquorice and being responsible about your health at the same time… well, you get it.
The proof is in the eating of the liquorice
But enough rambling. How does the new liquorice taste? The first thing you notice is the shape: Klepper & Klepper have given their new liquorice five corners, referring to the fifth taste, umami. And then you put it in your mouth. Close your eyes, suck on it for a moment, chew. Yes, there’s the seaweed flavor! Intriguing! The taste also lingers in your mouth for quite a while. And is it good? Or is it disgusting? I haven’t made up my mind yet. I think I’ll have another one. Or two… For health reasons.
Want to try it yourself? Klepper & Klepper is available throughout the Netherlands, but not in every store. On this map of points of sale, you can check whether there’s a retailer near you. Or take a look online. Prices vary, but a bag costs roughly €3.25.
Also read:
- Did you know liquorice can be so dangerous?
- Liquorice? Ice cream? Who says you can’t have both?
- Moment of truth: which English liquorice has to go?
