That first bite tells you everything. If the licorice snaps like dry twig, you’ve been cheated. Authentic Australian-style licorice should surrender to your teeth with a dense, almost-buttery chew that releases slow waves of molasses and anise—not a stale crunch. The gulf between a mass-produced candy rope and a properly crafted soft licorice is the difference between a treat and a disappointment.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind WellFizz. I’ve spent countless hours cross-referencing ingredient lists, chewing through bulk bags, and studying how molasses content, wheat flour ratios, and cooking methods separate the premium imports from the shelf-stable compromises.
If you want a licorice that actually tastes like real licorice root extract—not corn syrup and artificial flavoring—you need to look beyond the supermarket. This guide to the best australian licorice cuts through the marketing to find the bags worth your next order.
How To Choose The Best Australian Licorice
Picking the right bag of soft licorice comes down to ingredient integrity and texture promise. You’re paying for molasses depth and a chew that doesn’t turn to leather after two weeks. Here’s what separates the real stuff from the impostors.
Look for Real Licorice Root Extract, Not Artificial Flavor
The sweetener list tells the real story. True Australian licorice relies on molasses for its dark color and caramel-like bitterness, and real licorice root extract (glycyrrhizin) for that distinctive lingering anise note. If the ingredient panel leads with corn syrup and “artificial flavor,” you’re buying candy-shaped disappointment. Premium bags list molasses, wheat flour, licorice root extract, and little else.
Country of Origin vs. Style on the Label
“Australian style” is not the same as “Made in Australia.” Brands like Wiley Wallaby produce excellent soft licorice inside the US using the Australian method, while Darrell Lea imports directly from Australia. Neither is automatically better—it’s about whether the manufacturer prioritizes soft chew and molasses depth over shelf stability. Check the “Country of Origin” line, not just the front-of-bag marketing copy.
Texture: Soft, Not Soggy; Chewy, Not Hard
Real soft licorice should be pliable without being sticky and dense without being tough. The best batches use wheat flour to build a structure that stays cohesive, while the molasses keeps moisture locked in. If the licorice cracks when you bend it, the moisture balance is wrong. If it leaves a greasy residue on your fingers, palm oil or hydrogenated fat is doing the work instead of proper cooking technique.
Quick Comparison
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| Model | Category | Best For | Key Spec | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darrell Lea Mixed Fruit | Mid-Range | Fruit flavor variety | 20 oz; Non-GMO & palm oil free | Amazon |
| Panda Natural Black | Mid-Range | Pure traditional black licorice | 22.5 oz; only 4 natural ingredients | Amazon |
| LAKRIDS BY BÜLOW No. 1 | Premium | Gourmet Danish sweet licorice | 5.3 oz; gluten-free & vegan | Amazon |
| SweetGourmet Finnska Soft | Premium | Bulk black licorice supply | 32 oz; Finnish-sourced real extract | Amazon |
| Wiley Wallaby Classic | Budget-Friendly | Entry-level soft licorice | 10 oz pack; US-made Australian style | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Darrell Lea Family Size Soft Australian Licorice (Mixed Fruit)
Darrell Lea has been making licorice in Australia since 1927, and this Mixed Fruit bag is the family-size option that balances flavor variety with ethical sourcing. It covers green apple, strawberry, and mango—each piece delivering a soft, pliable chew that doesn’t stick to your teeth. The absence of palm oil and high fructose corn syrup means the sweetness comes from real fruit juice and natural sugar, giving each bite a cleaner finish than most American-style twists.
The texture sits directly in the sweet spot: firm enough to hold its shape in a lunchbox but soft enough to pull apart without snapping. At 20 ounces, this bag outperforms smaller premium tins on a per-bite value basis without sacrificing ingredient quality. Several reviews specifically praise the strawberry and apple pieces for their authentic fruit taste—a sign that Darrell Lea isn’t masking weak molasses with synthetic flavor bombs.
For anyone looking for a daily licorice that satisfies both fruit-candy cravings and the traditional soft-chew experience, this is the one. The resealable bag keeps the pieces fresh for weeks, though most households report finishing it within days.
Why it’s great
- Made in Australia under a nearly 100-year-old recipe
- Palm oil free and Non-GMO verified
- Mixed fruit flavors keep every handful interesting
Good to know
- Mango pieces can be scarce in some batches based on reviews
- Fruit flavors may not appeal to pure black licorice purists
2. Panda Natural Soft Original Black Licorice
Panda’s Natural Soft Original is the licorice equivalent of a three-ingredient sourdough: there’s nowhere to hide. The ingredient list—molasses, wheat flour, licorice root extract, aniseed oil—is as short as it gets, and every chew proves why restraint matters. The molasses sweetness is quiet and earthy, never cloying, while the licorice root extract provides that signature lingering bitterness that black licorice lovers chase.
Each bar is individually wrapped, which keeps the texture fresh and makes portion control simple. The 22.5-ounce bulk pack gives you 20 smaller bars, ideal for stashing in a desk drawer or bag without committing to a full rope. Multiple reviews highlight that this is the only licorice that doesn’t leave an artificial aftertaste—no surprise given the absence of preservatives or corn syrup.
Panda has been making licorice in Finland since 1927, and the slow-cooking method produces a chew that is soft without being sticky. It’s a premium-tier experience at a mid-range price, making it one of the strongest values in the black licorice category.
Why it’s great
- Transparent four-ingredient recipe with real licorice root extract
- Individually wrapped bars stay fresh and portion-controlled
- Non-GMO Project verified and vegan friendly
Good to know
- Texture is slightly firmer than some Australian soft styles
- Black licorice only—no fruit flavor options available
3. LAKRIDS BY BÜLOW No. 1 Sweet Black Licorice
Lakrids by Bülow comes out of Copenhagen with a premium approach that treats licorice more like craft chocolate than bulk candy. The No. 1 Sweet Black variety uses rice flour instead of wheat, making it naturally gluten-free and gelatin-free while maintaining a remarkably consistent chew. The texture is the standout—customers describe it as Goldilocks-grade, not too hard and not too soft, with a clean snap when bitten and a smooth melt as you chew.
The flavor profile leans sweeter than traditional Australian black licorice, relying on a balanced molasses sweetness that avoids the aggressive saltiness some Nordic licorices are known for. It’s approachable for people who want to explore Scandinavian licorice without committing to the intense ammonium chloride (salmiak) styles. The resealable 5.3-ounce jar is compact and gift-ready, though the smaller size means it’s a premium per-ounce choice.
As a B Corp certified brand, Bülow sources responsibly and runs its factory on renewable energy—a detail that matters if ingredient ethics factor into your buying decision. This is the jar you pull out when you want to impress a licorice-loving friend.
Why it’s great
- Gluten-free rice flour base without sacrificing texture
- B Corp certified with responsible sourcing practices
- Balanced sweetness appeals to both sweet and black licorice fans
Good to know
- Higher per-ounce cost compared to larger bags
- Jar size may not satisfy heavy daily snackers
4. SweetGourmet Finnska Soft Black Licorice
SweetGourmet’s Finnska Soft is the two-pound solution for people who eat licorice by the handful. These glossy black bites come in a resealable stand-up pouch with roughly 180 pieces per bag, making it the high-volume option for households that go through a bag in two weeks. The flavor is mellow and sweet, built on real licorice extract rather than synthetic shortcuts, with a smooth chew that reviewers describe as “melt in your mouth.”
The texture is notably softer than Panda’s bars, closer to the pliable Australian-style softness that this guide prioritizes. It avoids the greasy residue that lower-quality soft licorice often leaves behind, a sign that the fat content is coming from proper formulation rather than cheap hydrogenated oils. Customers who reorder every six weeks confirm that the freshness holds up well in the resealable pouch over extended pantry storage.
At 32 ounces, this is the strongest per-sitting value on the list. The mild sweetness makes it easy to eat in quantity without the cloying overload that corn-syrup-heavy candies produce. Just be aware that “soft” is relative—some reviews note that Finnska is softer than Darrell Lea’s texture but slightly firmer than the absolute softest imports.
Why it’s great
- Generous 32-ounce bulk bag for heavy snackers
- Resealable pouch maintains freshness over weeks
- Mellow sweetness with real licorice extract
Good to know
- May not be as soft as some Australian-style brands
- Only available in black licorice—no variety packs
5. Wiley Wallaby Licorice Classic Gourmet Soft
Wiley Wallaby is the gateway licorice for people who grew up on American red vines but want to graduate to real molasses-based flavor. This 10-ounce pack is produced in the USA using the Australian-style method, which means you get that familiar soft twist shape with a denser, more satisfying chew than standard grocery-store black licorice. The flavor is approachable—sweet with a mild anise finish—making it a safe first step for skeptics.
Reviews consistently use words like “soft,” “chewy,” and “delicious,” with multiple verified purchasers calling it their absolute favorite. The texture sits on the softer end of the spectrum, closer to a wetter, pliable rope that doesn’t require aggressive jaw work. It’s also one of the few options in this list that comes in a single-pack format, ideal for trying before committing to a bulk bag.
Where this pack falls short is value per ounce compared to the larger bags above. You are paying for convenience and the “made in USA” guarantee, not for maximum volume. For daily stock-ups, the Darrell Lea family bag or Finnska bulk pouch gives you more licorice per order. But as a beginner-friendly introduction to the category, Wiley Wallaby delivers exactly what it promises.
Why it’s great
- Soft, pliable texture ideal for licorice newcomers
- Made in the USA with clear ingredient sourcing
- Consistent flavor profile across every batch
Good to know
- Smaller 10-ounce size offers less value per ounce
- Classic black variety only—limited flavor exploration
FAQ
What makes Australian licorice different from black licorice from other countries?
How can I tell if a bag is truly “soft” licorice before buying?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most users, the best australian licorice winner is the Darrell Lea Family Size Mixed Fruit because it combines Australian manufacture, clean ingredients, and a family-friendly price per ounce without cutting corners on texture. If you want pure black licorice with a transparent four-ingredient list, grab the Panda Natural Soft Original. And for bulk supply that lasts, nothing beats the SweetGourmet Finnska Soft.
Mo Maruf
I created WellFizz to bridge the gap between vague wellness advice and actionable solutions. My mission is simple: to decode the research and give you practical tools you can actually use.
Beyond the data, I am a passionate traveler. I believe that stepping away from the screen to explore new environments is essential for mental clarity and physical vitality.