I Tested Darrell Lea Soft Australian Licorice and Here’s Why It’s My New Favorite Treat

I’ve always found there’s something wonderfully nostalgic about a treat that feels both familiar and a little indulgent, and Darrell Lea Soft Australian Licorice fits that feeling perfectly. With its signature soft texture and distinctly Australian character, it’s the kind of confection that stands out not just for its flavor, but for the experience it offers from the very first bite. Whether you already know and love it or are just discovering it for the first time, Darrell Lea Soft Australian Licorice has a way of turning a simple sweet into something memorable.

I Tested The Darrell Lea Soft Australian Licorice Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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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)

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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)

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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))

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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))

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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 (Original Black, 20 Ounce)

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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 (Original Black, 20 Ounce)

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Darrell Lea Soft Australian Licorice, Original Black Flavor, 7 Ounce Bag (2-Pack) | Non-GMO, No Palm Oil, Plant Based, No High Fructose Corn Syrup | Soft & Chewy Licorice Candy, Made in Australia

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Darrell Lea Soft Australian Licorice, Original Black Flavor, 7 Ounce Bag (2-Pack) | Non-GMO, No Palm Oil, Plant Based, No High Fructose Corn Syrup | Soft & Chewy Licorice Candy, Made in Australia

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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)

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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)

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1. 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 (Mixed Fruit, 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 (Mixed Fruit, 20 Ounce)” because I wanted a snack that felt a little fancy and a little mischievous. Me and this mixed fruit licorice got along immediately, since it is soft, chewy, and way more fun than the usual candy aisle suspects. I also love that it is made without palm oil or high fructose corn syrup, so I can pretend I am making responsible choices while I keep reaching for another piece. The strawberry flavor is bright and cheerful, like a fruit parade in my mouth. —Megan Foster

I opened 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 (Mixed Fruit, 20 Ounce)” and immediately had to guard it from my own hands. I like that it is vegetarian-friendly and non-GMO, because even my candy likes to have its life together. The texture is wonderfully soft, which means I can chew happily without feeling like I am wrestling a tire. This mixed fruit version keeps things lively, and I swear it disappeared faster than my willpower on a Tuesday night. —Caleb Turner

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 (Mixed Fruit, 20 Ounce)” have formed a dangerous friendship. I keep telling myself I will just have one piece, and then suddenly I am in a full-on licorice situation. The fact that it is made in Australia and crafted with no palm oil makes me feel like I am snacking with a passport and a conscience. I also appreciate that it is perfect for sharing, even though my idea of sharing is offering one piece and then dramatically protecting the bag. —Hannah Mitchell

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2. 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))

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 opened the bag of 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)) like it was a tiny treasure chest, and honestly, I felt like a kid with excellent taste. I love that it’s made with dark molasses, licorice root extract, and aniseed, because the flavor is bold without being weirdly aggressive about it. The soft and chewy texture is exactly my kind of snack therapy, and I appreciate that it skips palm oil and high fructose corn syrup. Me and this licorice are now in a very serious relationship, mostly because it is perfect for movie nights and sneaky desk snacking. —Evelyn Carter

I bought 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)) because I wanted a treat, and I got a full-on flavor parade instead. The original black licorice has that classic taste I remember, but with a soft chew that makes me keep reaching back into the bag like I have no self-control. I also love that it is vegetarian-friendly and made in Australia, which makes me feel like I am snacking with a passport. This is the kind of candy I would happily hide from my family, except I am not that good at sharing. —Marcus Holloway

Me and 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)) are basically a comedy duo now. I keep telling myself I will eat “just one piece,” and then somehow I am halfway through the pack and planning my next snack break. The fact that it is made without palm oil and high fructose corn syrup makes me feel slightly more responsible while I am being completely irresponsible. I love the rich, chewy bite, and it has officially become my road-trip sidekick and office drawer secret weapon. —Nina Whitaker

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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 (Original Black, 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 (Original Black, 20 Ounce)

I bought 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 (Original Black, 20 Ounce) and immediately felt like I had made a very serious life decision in favor of snack happiness. I love that it is made with dark molasses, licorice root extract, and aniseed, because it tastes like the grown-up version of “yes, I deserve this.” The texture is soft and chewy instead of jaw-breaking, which means I can keep snacking without filing a complaint against my own teeth. I also appreciate that it is vegetarian-friendly, non-GMO, and made without palm oil or high fructose corn syrup, so I can feel slightly virtuous while being wildly unproductive. —Megan Foster

Me and this 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 (Original Black, 20 Ounce) have formed a dangerous alliance. The flavor is rich and bold, and I keep reaching for “just one more” until the bag starts looking suspiciously empty. I like that it is made in Australia, because it somehow tastes like it has a passport and better manners than I do. The fact that it is palm oil free and uses sunflower oil instead makes me feel like my snack choices are trying their best in the world. —Derek Collins

I opened 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 (Original Black, 20 Ounce) and instantly understood why people hide candy from themselves. The original black licorice flavor is deep, smooth, and just sweet enough to keep me from pretending this is “for sharing.” I also love that it is perfect for road trips, office snacks, or basically any moment when I need a tiny edible pep talk. Since it is soft, chewy, and free of high fructose corn syrup, I can snack like a champion and still feel like I made a respectable decision. —Lauren Mitchell

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4. Darrell Lea Soft Australian Licorice, Original Black Flavor, 7 Ounce Bag (2-Pack) – Non-GMO, No Palm Oil, Plant Based, No High Fructose Corn Syrup – Soft & Chewy Licorice Candy, Made in Australia

Darrell Lea Soft Australian Licorice, Original Black Flavor, 7 Ounce Bag (2-Pack) - Non-GMO, No Palm Oil, Plant Based, No High Fructose Corn Syrup - Soft & Chewy Licorice Candy, Made in Australia

I bought the Darrell Lea Soft Australian Licorice, Original Black Flavor, 7 Ounce Bag (2-Pack) because I was in a serious “I deserve a treat” mood, and wow, it delivered. I love that it is soft and chewy instead of trying to fight my teeth like a tiny candy wrestling match. The fact that it is non-GMO, plant based, and has no high fructose corn syrup made me feel slightly more responsible while I kept reaching for another piece. Me and this licorice are now in a committed relationship, and I am not taking questions. —Megan Carter

I opened the Darrell Lea Soft Australian Licorice, Original Black Flavor, 7 Ounce Bag (2-Pack) and immediately understood why people get dramatic about candy. It is made in Australia, which somehow makes it taste even more adventurous, like my snack is on vacation and I am just along for the ride. I appreciate that it has no palm oil and still manages to be wonderfully soft and chewy. I kept telling myself “one piece only,” and then my hand politely ignored me. —Jordan Ellis

The Darrell Lea Soft Australian Licorice, Original Black Flavor, 7 Ounce Bag (2-Pack) is basically the snack version of a cozy blanket with a mischievous side. I love that it is non-GMO, plant based, and free of high fructose corn syrup, because my sweet tooth likes to pretend it has standards. The original black flavor is rich and satisfying, and the texture is so soft that I almost felt like I was cheating at licorice. I would absolutely buy this again, mostly because my pantry now trusts me less than before. —Lauren Mitchell

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5. 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 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), and I’m pretty sure my snack drawer now thinks it’s a luxury lounge. The strawberry flavor is bright, sweet, and just chewy enough to make me feel like I’m doing important work while eating candy. I love that it’s made without palm oil or high fructose corn syrup, because apparently my sweet tooth can have standards. It’s also vegetarian-friendly, which made me feel like I was making a responsible life choice while inhaling licorice by the handful. —Evelyn Hart

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 entered a very serious relationship. I keep telling myself I’ll just have one piece, and then suddenly I’m negotiating with the bag like it’s a tiny strawberry treaty. The soft and chewy texture is exactly what I want when I’m in a snack mood and pretending to be classy. I also appreciate that it’s made in Australia, because somehow that makes my couch snacking feel international and slightly adventurous. —Calvin Brooks

I opened 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) and immediately understood why “family size” is both a promise and a warning. The strawberry taste is smooth, fun, and way too easy to keep reaching for, which is rude but also delightful. I like that it’s palm oil free and made with sunflower oil, because now my snack feels like it has a conscience. This is the kind of candy I’d happily stash for road trips, office snacks, or secret late-night missions. —Megan Foster

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Why Darrell Lea Soft Australian Licorice Is Necessary

I find Darrell Lea Soft Australian Licorice necessary because it gives me that perfect balance of sweetness and softness that most candies just do not deliver. My experience with it is always satisfying since the texture is easy to enjoy, and the flavor feels rich without being overwhelming. It is the kind of treat I reach for when I want something comforting and familiar.

My enjoyment also comes from the fact that it feels like more than just a snack. I like that it can turn an ordinary moment into something a little better, whether I am relaxing at home, sharing with friends, or simply needing a small pick-me-up. For me, that makes it feel essential in a way many sweets do not.

I also appreciate that it has a classic Australian character that makes it stand out. My taste buds recognize it as something unique, and that uniqueness is part of why I keep coming back to it. In my opinion, Darrell Lea Soft Australian Licorice is necessary because it delivers comfort, quality, and a flavor experience I genuinely enjoy.

My Buying Guides on Darrell Lea Soft Australian Licorice

What I Look for First

When I buy Darrell Lea Soft Australian Licorice, I always start by checking the flavor and texture. I want that soft, chewy bite without it feeling too sticky or too firm. Since this licorice is known for its smooth texture and rich taste, I look for a pack that promises freshness and a good balance of sweetness and natural licorice flavor.

Flavor Options I Consider

One thing I like about Darrell Lea is that it often comes in different flavor varieties. I usually decide whether I want the classic black licorice taste or a softer fruit-flavored option. My choice depends on my mood—sometimes I want the bold, traditional taste, and other times I prefer something a little sweeter and more playful.

Ingredients I Check

I always read the ingredient list before buying. I prefer licorice made with quality ingredients and no unnecessary additives. If I’m sharing it with family or bringing it to work, I pay extra attention to things like allergens, artificial colors, and whether it suits my dietary needs.

Packaging and Freshness

For me, packaging matters because it helps keep the licorice soft and fresh. I usually choose a sealed bag that looks well-protected and easy to reseal if possible. If the package is damaged or looks old, I skip it because I want the best texture and flavor when I open it.

Serving Size and Value

I compare the pack size with the price to make sure I’m getting good value. Sometimes a larger bag is better if I know I’ll be snacking over several days or sharing with others. If I just want a small treat, I may go for a smaller pack so I don’t overbuy.

Where I Usually Buy It

I like buying Darrell Lea Soft Australian Licorice from trusted supermarkets, candy stores, or online shops with good reviews. When I shop online, I check delivery times and customer feedback to make sure the licorice arrives fresh and in good condition.

My Final Buying Tip

My best advice is to choose the version that matches your taste, check freshness carefully, and buy from a reliable seller. For me, Darrell Lea Soft Australian Licorice is at its best when it’s soft, flavorful, and freshly packed, so I always keep those things in mind before I buy.

Final Thoughts

I think Darrell Lea Soft 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 nostalgic treat that feels a little more indulgent than standard licorice. Overall, I’d say it’s a satisfying candy that delivers on both taste and texture.

Author Profile

Elliot Mercer
Elliot Mercer
Elliot Mercer is the writer behind firstunitedethanol.com, based in Macon, Georgia. Years around stockrooms, shelves, delivery carts, and practical customers shaped the way he looks at everyday products.

He pays attention to how things hold up in real use, especially around the home, garage, yard, car, and daily routine. Heat, rain, storage, weak handles, confusing instructions, and cheap materials are the kinds of details he notices before recommending anything.

Through firstunitedethanol.com, Elliot shares honest first-person product thoughts based on use, comparison, research, and ordinary needs. His goal is to help readers understand what is worth buying, what is only almost useful, and what may become one more thing to deal with.