Starfish rarely belong in a lolly bowl, yet this salty Dutch school of sweets is quite at home there. Matthijs Gezoute Zeesterren Salty Licorice Starfish come in a 1kg bag filled with dark, sugar-dusted starfish shapes and a distinctly salty liquorice flavour. These are made for people who appreciate the bold salmiak character of traditional Dutch liquorice, not a mild black lolly with only a hint of aniseed.
Each piece combines a soft, chewy texture with the unmistakable taste of liquorice extract and salmiak salt, also known as ammonium chloride. The sugary outer coating introduces sweetness before the deeper liquorice and salty notes come through, creating a layered flavour that lasts through the chew. Their detailed five-pointed shape adds a quirky seaside element without taking attention away from the strong Dutch-style taste.
Long-time Matthijs fans may recognise Gezoute Zeesterren as a favourite that has been part of the brand’s range for years. This version carries the Veggie mark and is made without gelatine, making it suitable for vegetarian liquorice fans who previously had fewer traditional options to choose from. Matthijs has produced confectionery in the Netherlands since 1920, growing from a small family operation into a Dutch sweet maker whose products are eaten around the world.
The 1kg bulk bag offers plenty for Dutch-themed lolly assortments, shared office jars and liquorice tasting platters. Lolly shops, supermarkets, delis and speciality food retailers can portion the starfish into smaller quantities or display them alongside sweet liquorice, double-salt varieties and other European confectionery. Their unusual shape and grey-black sugar coating help them stand apart in pick-and-mix displays while signalling that this is something more adventurous than ordinary liquorice.
Salty liquorice can be an acquired taste, so these starfish will appeal most strongly to experienced Dutch liquorice fans and curious customers keen to try salmiak. The Professors has connected Australians with local favourites and hard-to-find imported confectionery since 2006, with Australia-wide shipping through The Professors Online Lolly Shop. Order a 1kg bag online, or visit The Professors Confectionery Warehouse in Castle Hill, NSW, to browse the broader Dutch liquorice range.
