The Ultimate Guide to Icelandic Candy: What to Try and Where to Buy
Iceland has one of the highest candy consumption rates per capita in the world. In a country of just 370,000 people, candy isn't a treat — it's a cultural institution.
Why Icelandic Candy Tastes Different
Icelandic milk: Dairy cows have remained genetically isolated for over 1,100 years, producing milk with distinctive richness evident in chocolate formulations.
The liquorice factor: Decades ago, Icelandic children began pairing chocolate bars with liquorice strips. Manufacturers incorporated this preference, creating chocolate-covered liquorice as a distinct category.
Simpler ingredients: Icelandic chocolate typically employs fewer additives and preservatives than mass-market international brands.
Top 10 Icelandic Candies You Must Try
1. Nóa Kropp A generous milk chocolate bar filled with crispy corn puffs. Rich, creamy chocolate with a satisfying crunch.
2. Draumur Named "Dream" in Icelandic — milk chocolate with a soft, sweet liquorice center layer. The quintessential Icelandic chocolate-liquorice combination.
3. Þristur Three-layered bar combining chocolate, wafer, and caramel — Iceland's take on Kit-Kat with a local twist.
4. Hraun Named after Iceland's volcanic lava fields — bubbly, aerated chocolate that melts smoothly with puffed rice.
5. Opal Originally throat lozenges in the 1930s, now an iconic everyday candy. Small liquorice pastilles in original, mint, and berry varieties. Nearly every Icelander carries a tin.
6. Topas Opal's gentler cousin, with fruit flavors and mild liquorice centers. A more approachable starting point for newcomers.
7. Lakkrís Stöng A pure liquorice bar — chewy, salty, and slightly sweet. Softer and chewier than Danish or Dutch varieties.
8. Síríus Bites Bite-sized chocolate-covered liquorice, caramel, or nougat. Perfect for sharing.
9. Gott og Blandað "Good and Mixed" — assorted candy bags containing liquorice, chocolate, gummies, and hard candies. What Icelanders pick for nammidag (Saturday candy day).
10. Túbó A liquorice tube filled with sweet or sour paste. Pure childhood nostalgia for Icelanders, unavailable outside Iceland.
The Nammidag Tradition
"Nammidag" (candy day) falls on Saturday. Icelandic families visit shops to select their weekly candy haul. This tradition extends from childhood into adulthood — it's a cultural institution, not just a children's habit.