Lakkris from a Rose

A Legendary Combo Comes to Life.

Name: Þrista Stubbar
Category: Chocolate Licorice Candy
Ethnicity: Icelandic
Brand: Sambó

Throughout my travels in Iceland, I can say with certainty that I’ve fallen in love with Licorice. Most of my American friends make fun of me for my gastro “downfall”. Yet I chew in anger. Why is this flavor so polarizing? I find the base flavor to be herbal, sophisticated, earthy, and mesmerizing. Pair that with chocolate and caramel? You have yourself a treat you’ll never forget. I’m talking about Þrista Stubbar, people and I urge you to try it one day. This product is no secret to Icelanders. Family-owned Sambó Lakkris has been making licorice and chocolate products out of Reykjavik for nearly 60 years. This product is right in their wheelhouse. Medium-sized rectangular pieces of juicy licorice feature a layer of caramel, then enrobed with sweet and mellow milk chocolate. While the licorice is a bit chewy, the rest is creamy, gooey and chocolatey. Now this company may not make dozens of products. But they are rock stars at what they make. And to me? That’s all that counts.

Final Word: The Nordic countries all boast fantastic licorice treats. As of now, this is in the top five of all-time favorites. 

Kachha Aam Hajmola Candy

Raw Mango Candy Packed with Ayurvedic Herbs

Name: "Kachha Aam" Hajmola Raw Mango Candy
Category: Candy
Ethnicity: Indian (Mumbai)
Brand: Parle Biscuits

In the almost-forgotten neighborhood of Kips Bay, Manhattan exists one of the finest global food markets in New York City. Kalustyan's has represented India and the Mideast's infinite supply of exciting foods, spices, herbs and teas since 1944. It is a glorious store that houses hundreds of interesting items from Ceylon tea to Sumac to suit all your culinary exploration needs. I go there all the time to smell and feel my way to tonight's dinner. Though I will be writing many in-depth posts about the Kalustyan foods that shape my palate, theses little mango suckers caught my eye an ear. 

As the mayor of Honesty Town, I will tell you that at my last visit, I was fighting a cold and had a terribly irritated throat. As I eyed down this clear bag of green candies, a store employee told me that these candies are pure magic for an upset throat and stomach. In the market for some relief, I snagged them up and popped one in my mouth. These Hajmola candies are traditional hard candies flavored with raw mango juice and a bunch of special ayurvedic herbs. And that is exactly what they taste like; sweet, tangy, and herbaceous little mango suckers. Due to the power of the herbs, Kachha Aam Hajmola Candies aid digestion, settle stomachs, and even strengthen your appetite. I of course, put these guys to the test and I will say they make me feel a little better after a big meal. They even make a sore throat slightly less sore too. But I think that I'll stick to Cepacol and Pepto Bismol for the bigger aches. For now, Hajmola Candies by Parle out of Mumbai hit it on the head with this candy. It's a rather complicated candy, beginning with the sweet tanginess of mango but then dives deeper with bright and clean flavors of a complex herbal combo. These are a new go-to candy. Now what else to get at Kalustyan's?

Rating: B+ (Ayurvedic Medicinal Digestive Powers to the Rescue!)