; ) these humble, unassuming little balls of spice were such a treat, to a couple of Haupts fans waiting for a little something new, something different... and for a Chilla Gunilla fan hoping for it to be another perfectly spiced bite to enjoy during the fall and winter holiday season. Naughty Ginger is anything but naughty, though. there is nothing offensive, harsh or sneaky about it, and nothing that a boring American palate couldn't be happy about, yet, somehow, it manages to hit the elevated palate and the exotic notes too, if you are the kind to savor your sweet treats thoughtfully, like we are. the first whiff of the jar is authentically gingery, as if inhaling a jar of powdered ginger, as you prepare to bake your favorite spiced cookies, and the initial feel is just slightly rough, accompanying the most natural, gentle ginger prickle on the tongue, followed by the thinnest, most delicate, crispy crust that has ever coated a candy. breaking through this impossibly thin first layer reminds me of cracking through the fragile sugar crust that floats on a ramekin of creme brulee. I sit with this initial sensation for a moment, recalling past meals enjoyed with cherished friends and loved ones. I look forward to this delicate memory-triggering sensation every time I reach for one of these sweet little treats. the chocolate that follows is sweet and simple, followed by a soft, almost gummy liquorice core that is enhanced by the faintest whisper of salt--I appreciate this, as, for me, a hint of salt is exactly enough. lightly rough, gentle, spicy, familiar, bitter, salty, sweet--the unexpectedly compatible contradictions, the brief moments of memory and nostalgia, and the complexity of flavors and textures is what keeps me coming back to Haupts Lakrits for my sweet fixes. Naughty Ginger has made our "Nice List," and Santa would approve (not Red Santa, but the Green- or Gold-robed Santa of times long passed, the tastes and flavors of old-world traditions, and the cherished, gentle memories that come with a season longing for simpler, older, better times). <3
