What Is Salmiak?
Salmiak is the salty licorice flavor that defines Nordic candy. Here is what salmiak actually is, what it tastes like, and why it is salty.
Salmiak is licorice flavored with ammonium chloride, a salt that tastes sharp, savory, and slightly numbing rather than sweet. It is the signature flavor of Nordic salty licorice and appears in candy, ice cream, and even spirits across Sweden and Finland.
What does salmiak taste like?
Salty, sharp, and a little numbing, with the dark herbal base of licorice underneath. The first taste is surprising; the salt hits before the sweetness.
Why is salmiak salty?
The salt is ammonium chloride, not the table salt (sodium chloride) on your fries. That is what gives salmiak its distinct savory edge.
Is salmiak the same as salty licorice?
Salmiak is the flavor; salty licorice is the candy made with it. For the full story, see Salty licorice, explained, and for the intense end of the scale, salty licorice cats and Djungelvral.
Curious to taste it? Add a little salmiak to a pick-and-mix bag and start mild.
Frequently asked questions
Is salmiak safe to eat?+
Yes, in normal candy amounts. Very large quantities of strong salmiak are not recommended due to the ammonium chloride content.
What is salmiak in English?+
Salmiak is salty licorice, flavored with ammonium chloride (sal ammoniac).
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Gustav Lindqvist · Candy Master
Gustav grew up in Sweden on a strict Saturday-candy schedule, mixing his lördagsgodis bag at the lösgodis wall before he could spell salmiak. He has spent years tasting his way across Scandinavian candy, and now curates the range at TheSweetsTruck, from BUBS sour skulls to the saltiest licorice most people cannot finish.
Last updated 6/12/2026