Licorice pastilles

Dutch Licorice Pastilles in Diamond Shape

Remmelt S. Smid’s licorice pastilles are classic, hard drop pastilles from the Benelux region—shiny black diamonds made with real gum arabic, aromatically sweet in flavor, firm at first and meant for sucking. A quiet licorice for the long haul.

Licorice pastilles are the classic black diamonds from the Dutch-Belgian confectionery shelf, a hard drop variety made from licorice root and gum arabic. Dutchman Remmelt Smid has offered them as the Black Label of his brand since 2001, manufactured by the Belgian Suikerbakkerij Joris, which has been doing nothing else since 1938. The pastilles shine deep black, are firm to the bite, and melt slowly on the tongue; their flavor is aromatically sweet with a subtle salty undertone.

Deep black and shiny, firm, then gentle

The pastilles lie in the tin like small polished stones—deep black, high-gloss, each diamond a uniform little work of art.

In the mouth, they first reveal the characteristic hardness of gum arabic; biting is not a good idea, sucking is the way to go. Layer by layer the shell dissolves, then the licorice aroma opens up, warm and dark on the tongue, aromatic, spicy, and velvety in the finish. Nothing is overpowering, nothing is overwhelming, everything unfolds slowly—a licorice for those with time to savor.

For teatime and long journeys

Licorice pastilles are not for a quick snack in between; they are intended for quiet moments—with tea in the afternoon, in the car on the motorway, or while reading.

They pair effortlessly with black tea, as both share the same calm aromatic quality—one in the glass, the other on the tongue. They also go well with a mild whisky, provided the whisky is sweet and not too smoky.

For your jacket pocket, tuck in the 75 g travel tin; the 150 g bag with a ribbon is a lovely little gift, and for those wanting to refill the large bowl at home, there is the 300 g aluminum tin, the 400 g refill, or the 450 g cardboard canister.

Remmelt from Groningen, pastilles by Joris from Belgium since 1938

Since 2001, Remmelt Smid from Tynaarlo near Groningen has been bringing traditional Dutch and Belgian confectionery to Germany, formerly under the name “Het Hanze Huis,” today under his own. He seeks out manufacturers that do not work industrially, but in old family hands.

The pastilles themselves come from Belgium, from the Suikerbakkerij Joris, a confectionery manufacturer that has mastered a single craft since 1938: the casting and polishing of hard drop pastilles made from real gum arabic. The diamonds rest in the drum for several days and are slowly polished to a high gloss with acacia resin, hence the deep, almost lacquered shine. Acacia gum, sugar, glucose syrup, licorice, a pinch of salt, natural flavorings, and activated charcoal for the black color—that is the list, nothing more is needed.

“Pastilles made from real gum arabic,” as Remmelt calls them himself, and that is exactly what these little diamonds stand for: a variety without gelatin, without frills, without modern tricks. This gives them their firm, slowly softening character that no industrial hard candy can imitate. Black is always a good choice.

Acacia gum instead of gelatin

Licorice pastilles are vegan; instead of gelatin, acacia gum provides the firm consistency and elegant shine. Stored in a cool, dry place, they stay fresh for many months, preferably in the original tin.

If you want to get started, begin with the 75 g travel tin and work your way up to the 150 g bag with ribbon, the 300 g aluminum tin, or directly to the iconic 450 g cardboard canister, which identifies itself as the Black Label line with the black label on the metal lid. Those who prefer the stronger, salty side will find the salty herrings in the same red tin, just with a red label on the lid, also in the licorice category.