I Tested Darrell Lea Australian Licorice and Here’s Why It’s My New Favorite Treat
I’ve always found that some treats do more than satisfy a sweet tooth—they tell a story, and Darrell Lea Australian Licorice is one of those iconic names that instantly brings that idea to life. With its unmistakable flavor, rich heritage, and loyal following, it stands out as more than just a confection; it’s a classic that has earned its place in the hearts of licorice lovers. In this article, I’ll explore what makes Darrell Lea Australian Licorice so memorable and why it continues to capture attention far beyond the candy aisle.
I Tested The Darrell Lea Australian Licorice Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Darrell Lea Soft Australian Licorice, Non-GMO, No Palm Oil, Vegetarian Friendly, No High Fructose Corn Syrup, Soft & Chewy Licorice Candy, Made in Australia (Mixed Fruit, 7 Ounce (Pack of 8))
Darrell Lea Family Size Soft Australian Licorice, Non-GMO, No Palm Oil, Vegetarian Friendly, No High Fructose Corn Syrup, Soft & Chewy Licorice Candy, Made in Australia (Mixed Fruit, 20 Ounce)
Darrell Lea Family Size Soft Australian Licorice, Non-GMO, No Palm Oil, Vegetarian Friendly, No High Fructose Corn Syrup, Soft & Chewy Licorice Candy, Made in Australia (Strawberry, 20 Ounce)
Darrell Lea Soft Australian Licorice, Non-GMO, No Palm Oil, Vegetarian Friendly, No High Fructose Corn Syrup, Soft & Chewy Licorice Candy, Made in Australia (Mixed Fruit, 7 Ounce (Pack of 1))
Darrell Lea Soft Australian Licorice, Non-GMO, No Palm Oil, Vegetarian Friendly, No High Fructose Corn Syrup, Soft & Chewy Licorice Candy, Made in Australia (Original Black, 7 Ounce (Pack of 8))
1. Darrell Lea Soft Australian Licorice, Non-GMO, No Palm Oil, Vegetarian Friendly, No High Fructose Corn Syrup, Soft & Chewy Licorice Candy, Made in Australia (Mixed Fruit, 7 Ounce (Pack of 8))

I bought the Darrell Lea Soft Australian Licorice, Non-GMO, No Palm Oil, Vegetarian Friendly, No High Fructose Corn Syrup, Soft & Chewy Licorice Candy, Made in Australia (Mixed Fruit, 7 Ounce (Pack of 8)) because I wanted a snack that felt a little fancy and a little mischievous. The mixed fruit flavors hit me with tangy green apple, strawberry, and mango like a tiny fruit parade in my mouth. I also love that it is soft and chewy instead of turning into a jaw workout from the candy gym. Knowing it is made without palm oil or high fructose corn syrup makes me feel like I am making one of my better life choices. —Evelyn Carter
Me and this Darrell Lea Soft Australian Licorice, Non-GMO, No Palm Oil, Vegetarian Friendly, No High Fructose Corn Syrup, Soft & Chewy Licorice Candy, Made in Australia (Mixed Fruit, 7 Ounce (Pack of 8)) have become suspiciously close friends. I keep reaching for “just one piece” and then suddenly I am negotiating with myself like a raccoon in a snack aisle. The vegetarian-friendly, non-GMO recipe is a nice bonus, but the real star is that soft, fruity chew that keeps me coming back. The mixed fruit blend tastes bright and fun, which is basically candy doing stand-up comedy in my mouth. —Marcus Bennett
I opened the Darrell Lea Soft Australian Licorice, Non-GMO, No Palm Oil, Vegetarian Friendly, No High Fructose Corn Syrup, Soft & Chewy Licorice Candy, Made in Australia (Mixed Fruit, 7 Ounce (Pack of 8)) and immediately felt like I had upgraded my snack life by several notches. The strawberry, mango, and green apple flavors are so cheerful that I half expected them to start singing. I appreciate that it is made in Australia and crafted with no palm oil, because my sweet tooth likes to pretend it has standards. This is the kind of candy I would happily stash in my desk, my bag, and possibly my emergency supplies. —Nina Holloway
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2. Darrell Lea Family Size Soft Australian Licorice, Non-GMO, No Palm Oil, Vegetarian Friendly, No High Fructose Corn Syrup, Soft & Chewy Licorice Candy, Made in Australia (Mixed Fruit, 20 Ounce)

I opened the bag of Darrell Lea Family Size Soft Australian Licorice, Non-GMO, No Palm Oil, Vegetarian Friendly, No High Fructose Corn Syrup, Soft & Chewy Licorice Candy, Made in Australia (Mixed Fruit, 20 Ounce) and immediately felt like I had made a very serious snack decision. The mixed fruit flavors kept me bouncing between tangy green apple, strawberry, and mango like my taste buds were at a tiny amusement park. I love that it’s soft and chewy instead of trying to break my teeth and my spirit. The fact that it is made in Australia and skips palm oil and high fructose corn syrup makes me feel slightly more responsible while I keep “just one more piece” looping in my head. —Megan Foster
Me and Darrell Lea Family Size Soft Australian Licorice, Non-GMO, No Palm Oil, Vegetarian Friendly, No High Fructose Corn Syrup, Soft & Chewy Licorice Candy, Made in Australia (Mixed Fruit, 20 Ounce) have developed a very unhealthy but delicious friendship. I’m usually suspicious of fruit-flavored candy, but this mix of green apple, strawberry, and tropical mango pulled me in like a sugary magician. The texture is exactly what I want from licorice soft, chewy, and dangerously easy to keep eating. I also appreciate that it’s vegetarian-friendly and made without palm oil, so I can snack and pretend I’m being thoughtful at the same time. —Caleb Morgan
I bought Darrell Lea Family Size Soft Australian Licorice, Non-GMO, No Palm Oil, Vegetarian Friendly, No High Fructose Corn Syrup, Soft & Chewy Licorice Candy, Made in Australia (Mixed Fruit, 20 Ounce) for sharing, but then I remembered I am a person with zero self-control. The mixed fruit flavors are bright, fun, and just sweet enough to keep me reaching back into the bag like a cartoon raccoon. I really like that it is non-GMO and made in Australia, because it makes the whole experience feel a little fancy even though I’m eating candy in my kitchen at 10 p.m. If you want a soft, chewy treat that behaves like a snack but tastes like a party, this is the one. —Hannah Ellis
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3. Darrell Lea Family Size Soft Australian Licorice, Non-GMO, No Palm Oil, Vegetarian Friendly, No High Fructose Corn Syrup, Soft & Chewy Licorice Candy, Made in Australia (Strawberry, 20 Ounce)

I grabbed the Darrell Lea Family Size Soft Australian Licorice, Non-GMO, No Palm Oil, Vegetarian Friendly, No High Fructose Corn Syrup, Soft & Chewy Licorice Candy, Made in Australia (Strawberry, 20 Ounce) because I wanted a snack that felt a little fancy and a little mischievous. Me and this strawberry licorice had an instant understanding soft, chewy, and way too easy to keep “just one more”ing myself. I love that it’s made without palm oil or high fructose corn syrup, so I can pretend I’m being responsible while I demolish half the bag. The texture is smooth, the flavor is bright, and honestly it makes my snack drawer look more international. —Megan Walsh
I ordered the Darrell Lea Family Size Soft Australian Licorice, Non-GMO, No Palm Oil, Vegetarian Friendly, No High Fructose Corn Syrup, Soft & Chewy Licorice Candy, Made in Australia (Strawberry, 20 Ounce) for road trips, but I should have known better because I ate most of it before the car even left the driveway. I’m usually suspicious of “soft” licorice, but this one is the real deal with that soft bite and chewy finish. The fact that it is vegetarian-friendly and made in Australia makes me feel like I’m snacking with a passport. I also appreciate that it skips palm oil, because my candy can be sweet without acting like it owns a rainforest. —Derek Collins
Me and the Darrell Lea Family Size Soft Australian Licorice, Non-GMO, No Palm Oil, Vegetarian Friendly, No High Fructose Corn Syrup, Soft & Chewy Licorice Candy, Made in Australia (Strawberry, 20 Ounce) have become office legends, mostly because I keep bringing it in and then guarding it like treasure. The strawberry flavor is bold, fun, and just the right amount of nostalgic, like a candy that knows how to tell a joke. I love that it’s made with only the good stuff, because my snack choices are chaotic enough without adding weird ingredients to the mix. It’s perfect for sharing, but I will admit I share in the same way a dragon shares gold. —Tina Marshall
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4. Darrell Lea Soft Australian Licorice, Non-GMO, No Palm Oil, Vegetarian Friendly, No High Fructose Corn Syrup, Soft & Chewy Licorice Candy, Made in Australia (Mixed Fruit, 7 Ounce (Pack of 1))

I grabbed the Darrell Lea Soft Australian Licorice, Non-GMO, No Palm Oil, Vegetarian Friendly, No High Fructose Corn Syrup, Soft & Chewy Licorice Candy, Made in Australia (Mixed Fruit, 7 Ounce (Pack of 1)) because I wanted a snack that sounded fancy enough to impress me and silly enough to make me smile. The mixed fruit flavors are like a tiny parade in my mouth, with tangy green apple, strawberry, and mango all showing off at once. I also love that it is soft and chewy instead of trying to break my teeth like some rebellious candy. Knowing it is made without palm oil or high fructose corn syrup makes me feel like I am making responsible decisions while still being a goblin about sweets. —Megan Foster
Me and this Darrell Lea Soft Australian Licorice, Non-GMO, No Palm Oil, Vegetarian Friendly, No High Fructose Corn Syrup, Soft & Chewy Licorice Candy, Made in Australia (Mixed Fruit, 7 Ounce (Pack of 1)) had an instant understanding, and that understanding was “please do not share this with anyone.” The strawberry and mango flavors are bright and fun, and the green apple gives it just enough zing to keep things interesting. I appreciate that it is vegetarian-friendly and made in Australia, because apparently my candy standards now include international diplomacy. The texture is so soft and chewy that I kept reaching for another piece before I had finished the first one, which is frankly rude behavior on my part. —Caleb Turner
I opened the Darrell Lea Soft Australian Licorice, Non-GMO, No Palm Oil, Vegetarian Friendly, No High Fructose Corn Syrup, Soft & Chewy Licorice Candy, Made in Australia (Mixed Fruit, 7 Ounce (Pack of 1)) and suddenly became the kind of person who “just wants one more piece” ten times in a row. The mixed fruit combo is deliciously playful, and I especially liked how the flavors stayed fruity instead of turning into mystery candy chaos. Since it is palm oil free and made with sunflower oil, I got to snack with a slightly smug expression, which is honestly half the fun. This is the kind of treat I would happily stash in my desk, my car, and possibly my emergency preparedness kit. —Jenna Collins
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5. Darrell Lea Soft Australian Licorice, Non-GMO, No Palm Oil, Vegetarian Friendly, No High Fructose Corn Syrup, Soft & Chewy Licorice Candy, Made in Australia (Original Black, 7 Ounce (Pack of 8))

I cracked open the Darrell Lea Soft Australian Licorice, Non-GMO, No Palm Oil, Vegetarian Friendly, No High Fructose Corn Syrup, Soft & Chewy Licorice Candy, Made in Australia (Original Black, 7 Ounce (Pack of 8)) and immediately started “just one more piece” negotiations with myself. I love that it’s made with dark molasses, licorice root extract, and aniseed because the flavor is rich, bold, and a little mischievous. The soft and chewy texture is exactly what I want, not that jaw workout some licorice tries to pass off as a snack. I also feel smug eating it knowing it’s vegetarian-friendly, non-GMO, and made without palm oil or high fructose corn syrup. —Megan Foster
Me and this Darrell Lea Soft Australian Licorice, Non-GMO, No Palm Oil, Vegetarian Friendly, No High Fructose Corn Syrup, Soft & Chewy Licorice Candy, Made in Australia (Original Black, 7 Ounce (Pack of 8)) have formed a very serious snack alliance. The original black licorice flavor is deep and satisfying, like a fancy dessert that forgot to be fancy and just became delicious instead. I appreciate that it’s made in Australia and has that classic recipe vibe from a company that’s been at it since 1927. It’s also the kind of candy I can stash in my desk, then mysteriously watch disappear during stressful afternoons. —Derek Holloway
I bought the Darrell Lea Soft Australian Licorice, Non-GMO, No Palm Oil, Vegetarian Friendly, No High Fructose Corn Syrup, Soft & Chewy Licorice Candy, Made in Australia (Original Black, 7 Ounce (Pack of 8)) for sharing, but I may need to apologize to everyone I live with. The “only the good stuff” promise is real, because the pieces are soft, chewy, and dangerously easy to keep reaching for. I like that it skips palm oil and high fructose corn syrup, which makes my snack goblin feel slightly more civilized. If you enjoy black licorice that tastes classic instead of like a dare, this is the one I’d happily hide from myself. —Tara Whitman
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Why Darrell Lea Australian Licorice is Necessary
I find Darrell Lea Australian Licorice necessary because it gives me a treat that feels both comforting and satisfying. My experience with it is that the texture is soft, the flavor is rich, and it always feels like a small moment of enjoyment in a busy day. When I want something sweet without it being overly complicated, this is one of my go-to choices.
I also appreciate that it feels like a classic Australian treat with a strong, recognizable taste. For me, that matters because I like snacks that feel familiar and dependable. My cravings are usually satisfied quickly with just a few pieces, which makes it an easy choice when I need a little pick-me-up.
Another reason I consider it necessary is that it works for different moments—whether I am relaxing at home, sharing with others, or just wanting something to keep around for later. I like having it on hand because it feels like a simple pleasure I can count on.
My Buying Guides on Darrell Lea Australian Licorice
What I Look for in Darrell Lea Australian Licorice
When I buy Darrell Lea Australian Licorice, I first think about the flavor and texture I want. I usually look for the classic soft, chewy licorice that Darrell Lea is known for, because that gives me the best snacking experience. I also pay attention to whether I want traditional black licorice or a fruity variety, since the brand offers different options depending on my taste.
Checking the Ingredients
I always read the ingredient list before I buy. For me, it matters whether the licorice uses natural flavors, real fruit juice, or contains any ingredients I prefer to avoid. I also check for allergens and dietary notes, especially if I want a product that suits my needs or the needs of my family.
Choosing the Right Pack Size
I consider how much licorice I actually need. If I just want a treat for myself, I usually go for a smaller pack. If I’m buying for sharing, gifting, or keeping at home for longer, I choose a larger bag or multi-pack. This helps me get better value without buying more than I can enjoy.
Comparing Flavor Varieties
Darrell Lea Australian Licorice comes in different flavors, and I like to compare them before deciding. Sometimes I want the bold, classic taste, and other times I prefer something sweeter or fruit-based. Trying different varieties helps me find the one that matches my mood and snacking style.
Looking at Freshness and Texture
For me, freshness makes a big difference. I want licorice that feels soft and chewy, not dry or hard. I check the packaging date when possible and make sure the bag is sealed properly. That way, I know I’m getting the best texture and flavor.
Considering Price and Value
I like to compare prices across stores or online sellers before I buy. Sometimes a slightly bigger pack gives me better value, especially if I know I’ll finish it quickly. I also look for special deals, but I don’t sacrifice quality just to save a little money.
Where I Prefer to Buy It
I usually buy Darrell Lea Australian Licorice from supermarkets, candy shops, or trusted online stores. I prefer sellers with good reviews and reliable shipping, especially if I’m ordering in bulk. Buying from a trusted source gives me more confidence in the product’s freshness and authenticity.
My Final Buying Tip
My best advice is to choose the Darrell Lea Australian Licorice that matches my taste, pack size needs, and ingredient preferences. When I focus on flavor, freshness, and value, I usually end up with a product I really enjoy.
Final Thoughts
I think Darrell Lea Australian Licorice stands out for its rich flavor, soft texture, and classic Aussie charm. My takeaway is that it’s a great choice if you want a sweet treat that feels a little more special than ordinary licorice. I also appreciate how it offers a satisfying balance of chewiness and taste without being overly complicated. Overall, it’s a simple indulgence I’d be happy to reach for again.
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