Dutch drop is a traditional Dutch licorice candy. Drop is a sweet and salty candy loved throughout the Netherlands. For many Dutch people, licorice is more than just a sweet — it is part of Dutch culture.
Almost everyone in the Netherlands loves drop. Just seeing a bag of delicious licorice is enough to make many Dutch mouths water. Of course, there are always a few people who do not enjoy its unique taste, but for most Dutch people, drop is an irresistible treat!
What is Dutch licorice?
Dutch drop is made from licorice root extract and is available in many different flavors, ranging from sweet and mild to salty and extremely salty. Drop is mostly black.
How does Dutch drop taste?
Whats the taste of Drop? “Licorice is like anise, but stronger and more earthy-sweet.”
Types of Dutch drop
Dutch drop comes in an endless variety of flavors, textures, and shapes. You’ll find classic black licorice, colorful drop, black-and-white varieties, sweet honey drop, salty drop, double salty, and even extra salty versions. Some are hard, others are soft or extra soft.
Drop also comes in many different shapes, including round, square, diamond-shaped, animal figures, honeycombs, and buttons. One of my personal favorites is trekdrop (pulling licorice). What’s yours?
Histori of Dutch Drop Licorice
The history of drop goes a long way back, even in Tutankhamun’s tomb was licorice root found. If you really want to know albout the history of Drop read about it on this website.
➔ History of drop, licorice root, this article is made by real drop lover
Why do Dutch people eat so much drop?
Drop is, without a doubt, one of the Dutch people’s favorite treats; it’s one of the Netherlands’ biggest food obsessions. People either love it or hate it, but for many Dutch people, licorice is irresistible; they absolutely adore the black candy. Just seeing a bag of licorice can make their mouths water. Once they open a bag of drop, it is usually impossible to stop eating until the bag is empty! The Dutch eat about 32 million kilos of licorice candy a year, which is almost 2 kilos per person.
Where to buy Dutch drop
In the Netherlands, every supermarket, pharmacy, gas station, and railroad station sells drop.
Fun facts about licorice in the Netherlands
- Dutch people don’t just eat drop, they are addicted to it!
- Warning: one bag of Dutch drop is never enough.
- For many tourists, tasting salty Dutch drop is a real survival challenge.
- Some Dutch people carry an emergency drop in their bags at all times.
Special Dutch Drop: Gluten-free and vegan
Dutch drop is for everyone, including people with gluten allergies or specific dietary preferences. Some varieties are made with potato starch instead of wheat flour, making them gluten-free. There are also vegan and vegetarian types of drop available, made without gelatin. So even more people can enjoy this famous Dutch licorice treat. Licorice is for everyone, including people who have an allergic reaction to gluten.
What is drop called in other languages?
Drop is best translated in Britisch Engels as liquorice and in American Engelisch as licorice. Our typical Dutch Engelse Drop / Englisch drop is called in England Liquorice allsorts because of the multiple colors.
Visit a Dutch Drop Factory?
Unfortunately, visits to Dutch licorice factories are no longer allowed because of strict hygiene and food safety regulations.
Drop workshop, learn everything about Dutch licorice
A great alternative is to visit a Drop Workshop, where you can learn everything you’ve ever wanted to know about Dutch licorice. In just two hours, you’ll discover more about licorice, its ingredients, its history, and how licorice culture differs from country to country. The workshops take place in a 17th-century warehouse in the small town of Koog aan de Zaan, near Amsterdam.
➔ Make your reservation here: Drop Workshop
How Dutch Drop is Made
If it’s not possible to buy authentic Dutch drop where you live, why not try making your own homemade licorice? You can also watch these fascinating Dutch documentaries and discover how traditional drop is made in Dutch factories.
If the English subtitles do not appear automatically, you can enable them in the YouTube settings.
➔ Discover how Drop is made in this documentary by Dutch National children’s TV program ‘t Klokhuis
➔ Watch another documentary about Dutch DROP
Where and how to get some Drop abroad?
Where and how to get Dutch drop abroad
Would you like to enjoy the unique taste of sweet and salty Dutch licorice at home? Luckily, Dutch drop is available in many online shops, so you can easily order it from abroad and experience this traditional Dutch treat wherever you are.
➔ Discover and buy Drop right here!
Make your own Dutch Drop (Licorice Recipe)
You can try making Dutch drop at home. I have never tried making my own licorice, so if you give it a go, let me know how it turns out and whether it tastes good!
Ingredients:
- 250 ml (1/4 liter) water
- 150 grams licorice (liquorice)
- 3 teaspoons syrup or brown sugar
- A little honey
- A pinch of salt
- 2 sheets of gelatin
- 3 teaspoons flour
Instructions:
Cut the licorice into small pieces (about 1 cm) and boil it in the water. Be careful not to let it boil too vigorously. After about 5 minutes, strain the mixture through a sieve into another pan.
Place the strained licorice water back on the heat and let it reduce until about 50 ml remains. Then lower the heat.
Stir in the syrup or brown sugar, honey, and a pinch of salt until fully dissolved.
Soak the gelatin sheets in cold water for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, mix the flour with 3 tablespoons of water in a separate bowl to create a smooth paste.
Add the gelatin and flour paste to the hot licorice mixture while stirring continuously. Make sure there are no lumps, and be careful — the mixture burns easily.
Once the mixture is smooth and slightly thickened, pour it onto greased aluminium foil or into moulds if you want fun shapes.
Let it set and harden for a few days. Then enjoy your homemade Dutch drop!
3 Comments
are liquorice factory tours available..?
I’am sorry to inform you but unfortunately it is not possible to visit a Dutch licorices factory. For food safety reasons, a visit to a licorices factory is not possible and no guided tours are organised in the Dutch liquorice factories.
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