Salmiak - what is it and which products contain it?

When salmiak is described as liquorice to most of the Western world, the first thought would take users back to being a child at a sweet shop. But salmiak in nicotine pouches is far from the sweet, sugary snack that people in countries such as the UK and USA are used to.

Scandinavian liquorice comes with a salty and slightly bitter finish, which comes about from ammonium chloride, and it is used in a variety of products. From ice cream and chocolate to meat, vodka, and of course, nicotine pouches, salmiak is a traditional and cultural favourite in countries such as Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and the Netherlands, as well as certain parts of Germany.

What do we know about the history of salmiak?

Salmiak dates all the way back to Ancient Egypt, where liquorice root was used for medicinal reasons, as well as in drinks. The first records of sweeter and less salty liquorice being used as confectionary date back to the 18th century in England. However, there is evidence that it was used in Finland as cough medicine and in animals to prevent plague in its salty state 250 years ago. It was also used as a smelling salt to bring people back to consciousness.

In the 1930s, we have our first evidence of salmiak being used as confectionary, again in Finland, where it is known as salmiakki. By the 1950s, salmiak products grew in popularity and it was in the 1990s when it began to be used in drinks such as whiskeys, liquors, spirits, and vodka. It would only become a matter of time before it was used in snus, nicotine pouches, and nicotine-free pouches.

What SnusDirect products have salmiak in them?

SnusDirect sells a range of products that contain salmiak. These include:

• The Helwit Salmiak from Yoik AB is a slim nicotine pouch containing 6mg/pouch of nicotine, favouring intermediate users because of the moderate sensation it produces. The fairly low amount of nicotine allows the salmiak flavour to take centre stage and the moist nature of the pouch brings about the taste quicker than a drier sachet. This is a slim pouch, so it is comfortable and gives privacy under the lip
• The Swave Salmiac Liquorice is from Gotlandssnus and is designed for those who want a more intense experience, with 10.4mg/pouch of nicotine present. More experienced users are better suited to this one, which also comes in a slim format
• The Velo Lofty Liquorice Slim mixes salmiak with aromatic anise to complement an overall mint flavour. This is available as a slim pouch and with 10mg/pouch of nicotine from one of the most popular nicotine pouch brands in the world
• There is an intriguing violet aroma mixed with salty salmiak and a peppery culmination in the Zyn Violet Liquorice Slim, which has moist contents for a faster flavour delivery
• For those who want no nicotine or tobacco at all, the Qvitt Salmiak is the one to go for. The salty nature of salmiak is a good replacement for those who want to quit nicotine entirely because of its strong and iconic flavour. For those who want a more discreet experience, the Qvitt Salmiak Mini is available in an even smaller pouch

The flavours mentioned above are not an exhaustive list of all salmiak products, but are an indication of where this fascinating ingredient can be found within the sachets available on SnusDirect.

How do I maximise or minimise the salmiak flavour?

Salmiak is a very distinctive flavour, and users tend to either love it or hate it; there isn’t often a middle ground. Some people will worship it and want to experience it in as visceral a way as possible, while others may enjoy the sharp tang of the flavour in the background, and prefer a more subtle approach.

Moist pouches bring about flavour quicker, so if you want the full salmiak force, these types of sachets are better. Products with more nicotine will also create a more intense sensation of the flavour, so those who want to take the experience in a more nuanced direction are best looking for very little or no nicotine.

Whatever way you prefer it, there is no doubt that salmiak is here to stay. Its role in Scandinavian culture is as important and lofty as the snus and nicotine pouch itself, so from a heritage perspective, it makes perfect sense that manufacturers explore the possibilities that salmiak brings.

It is an intriguing prospect to discover how salmiak will be used in snus, nicotine pouches, and nicotine free pouches in the future, so watch this space for more products using this interesting ingredient in the future.