From Imperial Heritage to the World’s Finest

The roots of Kouvolan licorice reach back to Europe and all the way to the Russian Empire and Vyborg, the future second-largest city of Finland. The year was 1906. As the splendor of the Russian Empire flourished, Vyborg was already preparing for an impending revolution – a revolution of flavors. Luxury commodities such as delicious lemonades and mineral waters were created for the grand festivities of the local bourgeoisie.

Licorice, however, was yet to make its appearance. 

As the decades rolled on, Vyborg, the birthplace of Kouvolan licorice, found itself amidst the tumultuous events of world history. Post-war Finland provided a new home, where a miracle took place on Christmas of 1945: a small batch of magical licorice root powder found its way to the factory.

Licorice was born.

The new mouthwatering delicacy quickly gained reputation, but the folks at the licorice factory – located in the city of Kouvola – aimed to turn the good into something even better.

They sought the expertise of the renowned English licorice master, H. Knoch, to fine-tune the secret recipe. With his magic touch, he transformed the black treat into something sublimely heavenly.

A new luxurious licorice flavor was born.