 | |
| Alternative names | salmiak or salmiac liquorice |
|---|---|
| Type | confectionery |
| Course | Food |
| Place of origin | Northern Europe |
| Main ingredients | liquorice-root extract, salmiak salt (sal ammoniac;ammonium chloride),sugar,glucose syrup,modified starch,brown sugar syrup,maltodextrin, sometimesanise oil |
Salty liquorice,[a] also known assalmiak liquorice,salmiac liquorice or (inFinland)salmiakki,[1] is a variety ofliquorice flavoured with salmiaksalt (sal ammoniac;ammonium chloride), and is a commonconfection found in theNordic countries,Benelux, andnorthern Germany.[2] Salmiak salt gives salty liquorice anastringent, salty taste,[3] akin to that oftannins—a characteristic ofred wines, which adds bitterness and astringency to the flavour. Consuming salmiak liquorice can stimulate either a savoury or non-savoury palate and response.[2]Anise oil can also be an additional main ingredient in salty liquorice. Extra-salty liquorice is additionally coated with salmiak salt or salmiak powder, or sometimestable salt.
Salty liquoricecandy andpastilles are almost always black or very dark brown and can range from soft candy to hard pastille variety, and sometimes hard brittle. The other colours used are white and variants of grey. Salty liquorice or salmiak is also used as a flavouring in other products, such asice creams,syrups,chewing gum,snus andalcoholic beverages.
Sal ammoniac (ammonium chloride) has a history of being used as acough medicine, as it works as anexpectorant.[4] Finnish author Jukka Annala speculates that salty liquorice has its origins inpharmacy stores that manufactured their own cough medicine.[5] Where and when ammonium chloride and liquorice were first combined to produce salty liquorice is unclear,[6] but by the 1930s it was produced in Finland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands as apastille.[5]
Different languages often refer to salty liquorice as either "salmiak liquorice" (Swedish:Salmiaklakrits;Danish:Salmiaklakrids), or simply "salt liquorice" (Swedish:Saltlakrits; Danish:Saltlakrids). The Dutch refer to it as "zoute drop" or "dubbelzoute drop" (double salted liquorice). InGermany, they are commonly known as salt liquorice (Salzlakritz) candy and salmiak pastilles (Salmiakpastillen) or simply Salmiak, in contrast to sweet liquorice (Süßlakritz) candy. A traditional shape for salty liquoricepastilles is a black diamond-shapedlozenge. InFinnish, it is known assalmiakki.
The strength of the confectionery depends on the amount of food grade ammonium chloride (salmiak salt) used, which varies by country and what's considered a safe amount. In Sweden, for example, the most popular types of salty liquorice contain an average of 7% of ammonium chloride. In 2012, there was a European Union proposal to limit the amount to 0.3%, which was met with wide opposition.[7] Although the European Union now regulates the use of ammonium chloride to 0.3% in most foodstuffs, there is no specific restriction for it in liquorice or ice cream.[8] At a level of up to 7.99% ammonium chloride, salmiak pastilles are considered a "traditionally-applied medicine to assistexpectoration in theairways".
An antibacterial effect can be attributed to the neutralization of the slightly acidicammonium chloride (pH about 5.5) by the relatively alkalinesaliva (pH about 7),[9] wherebyammonia is released, which has a disinfecting effect:
Before implementation of the currentEuropean Union community-wide list of permitted flavouring substances used infood, national food legislation inGermany required that a content from above 2% ammonium chloride (salmiak salt) in salty liquorice, was required to carry the label "Adult Liquorice - Not Children's Liquorice" (Erwachsenenlakritz - Kein Kinderlakritz) on packaging in Germany.[10][9] When the ingredient content of ammonium chloride (salmiak salt) was between 4.49% and 7.99%, the declaration "extra strong" (extra stark) was also required on packaging. More than 7.99% of ammonium chloride (salmiak salt) was not permitted in Germany at that point in time. Since then, the upper limit on ammonium chloride has been lifted.[9]
In addition to being used in candy, salmiak is also used to flavourvodka,chocolate, distilledryebrandy, ice cream, cola drinks,snus, andmeat.
In category 5 [confectionery] –quantum satis
