Licorice Advent Calendar: What's behind the doors

Licorice Advent Calendar: What's Behind the Doors

A classification: what a licorice advent calendar actually contains, how the two sizes differ, and for whom each is suitable. Not a "best of" list, no market overview of all providers.

A licorice advent calendar is not a cross-section of a product range, but a journey through different varieties. That's the difference from most confectionery calendars, which contain the same product 24 times in different packaging. Behind the doors of a licorice calendar are varieties, some of which are only available in this particular combination.

This article explains what's in the bags, how the small and large versions differ — and when you should buy one if you want it. If you want to give a licorice advent calendar as a gift, you primarily decide on two things: size and variety range.

What's in a Licorice Advent Calendar?

For the Danish manufacturer Lakrids by Bülow, the best-known provider in this category, the structure has been the same for years: Behind each of the 24 doors is an individually packaged sachet with licorice balls or another small extra. The manufacturer calls this principle "Little Black Secrets" — it's not determined in advance which variety will appear on which day.

It contains both varieties from the current assortment and seasonal editions. If you know the letter and number logic — A to F for chocolate-coated varieties, 1 to 4 for those without — you'll recognize most of the doors. How this system came about is explained in our licorice product guide.

Small or Large? The Difference Is in the Filling Quantity

The calendar is available in two versions, and the difference is greater than the name suggests:

• Standard version. 24 sachets, each with two licorice balls or a corresponding surprise. Intended for sharing — two balls means one per person.
• LARGE version. 24 bags, each with four balls or extras, totaling around 690 grams of licorice. The casing is modeled on the iconic tin shape and measures approximately 36 × 18 centimeters.

The honest assessment: The standard version is a calendar for one person who wants to try two balls daily. If two people are opening it or if you really like licorice, it's better to choose the LARGE — otherwise, the door will be empty after two bites.

Who Benefits from a Licorice Advent Calendar?

It works well in three cases:

1. As a gift for someone who likes licorice but always buys the same variety. The calendar inevitably introduces varieties that one would not have chosen oneself — that is its real value.
2. As an adult calendar. Salty varieties and salmiak are not for children; strong products rightly bear the notice "Adult licorice – not for children." What this labeling means is explained in the product guide.
3. As an alternative to the chocolate calendar in the office, if it's shared — but then the LARGE version.

It is not worthwhile if someone only likes sweet licorice and dislikes salty. The assortment covers both directions; some of the doors will then not be to their taste. In that case, a Selection Box with familiar varieties is the better choice.

When You Should Order

Licorice advent calendars usually appear in September and are limited edition. In recent years, the manufacturer's version has regularly sold out before the end of November — for the previous year's calendar, it was already sold out at the manufacturer itself while we could still deliver.

Practically speaking, if you look in December, you usually look in vain. The ideal ordering time is between the end of September and the beginning of November.

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