Scandinavian liquorice comes with a salty and slightly bitter finish, which comes about from ammonium chloride, and it is used in a variety of products. From ice cream and chocolate to meat, vodka, and of course, nicotine pouches, salmiak is a traditional and cultural favourite in countries such as Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and the Netherlands, as well as certain parts of Germany.

What do we know about the history of salmiak?

Salmiak dates all the way back to Ancient Egypt, where liquorice root was used for medicinal reasons, as well as in drinks. The first records of sweeter and less salty liquorice being used as confectionary date back to the 18th century in England. However, there is evidence that it was used in Finland as cough medicine and in animals to prevent plague in its salty state 250 years ago. It was also used as a smelling salt to bring people back to consciousness.

In the 1930s, we have our first evidence of salmiak being used as confectionary, again in Finland, where it is known as salmiakki. By the 1950s, salmiak products grew in popularity and it was in the 1990s when it began to be used in drinks such as whiskeys, liquors, spirits, and vodka. It would only become a matter of time before it was used in snus, nicotine pouches, and nicotine-free pouches.

What SnusDirect products have salmiak in them?

SnusDirect sells a range of products that contain salmiak. These include:

• The Helwit Salmiak from Yoik AB is a slim nicotine pouch containing 6mg/pouch of nicotine, favouring intermediate users because of the moderate sensation it produces. The fairly low amount of nicotine allows the salmiak flavour to take centre stage and the moist nature of the pouch brings about the taste quicker than a drier sachet. This is a slim pouch, so it is comfortable and gives privacy under the lip
• The Swave Salmiac Liquorice is from Gotlandssnus and is designed for those who want a more intense experience, with 10.4mg/pouch of nicotine present. More experienced users are better suited to this one, which also comes in a slim format
• The Velo Lofty Liquorice Slim mixes salmiak with aromatic anise to complement an overall mint flavour. This is available as a slim pouch and with 10mg/pouch of nicotine from one of the most popular nicotine pouch brands in the world
• There is an intriguing violet aroma mixed with salty salmiak and a peppery culmination in the Zyn Violet Liquorice Slim, which has moist contents for a faster flavour delivery
• For those who want no nicotine or tobacco at all, the Qvitt Salmiak is the one to go for. The salty nature of salmiak is a good replacement for those who want to quit nicotine entirely because of its strong and iconic flavour. For those who want a more discreet experience, the Qvitt Salmiak Mini is available in an even smaller pouch

The flavours mentioned above are not an exhaustive list of all salmiak products, but are an indication of where this fascinating ingredient can be found within the sachets available on SnusDirect.

How do I maximise or minimise the salmiak flavour?

Salmiak is a very distinctive flavour, and users tend to either love it or hate it; there isn’t often a middle ground. Some people will worship it and want to experience it in as visceral a way as possible, while others may enjoy the sharp tang of the flavour in the background, and prefer a more subtle approach.

Moist pouches bring about flavour quicker, so if you want the full salmiak force, these types of sachets are better. Products with more nicotine will also create a more intense sensation of the flavour, so those who want to take the experience in a more nuanced direction are best looking for very little or no nicotine.

Whatever way you prefer it, there is no doubt that salmiak is here to stay. Its role in Scandinavian culture is as important and lofty as the snus and nicotine pouch itself, so from a heritage perspective, it makes perfect sense that manufacturers explore the possibilities that salmiak brings.

It is an intriguing prospect to discover how salmiak will be used in snus, nicotine pouches, and nicotine free pouches in the future, so watch this space for more products using this interesting ingredient in the future.

Below, we’ve compiled our ten most unique nicotine pouch flavours — whether it’s obscure fruits or whacky combinations.

1. Cactus Sour

For most people, a cactus is a prickly plant found in the desert or an aesthetically pleasing houseplant — not a food or drink flavour. But XQS Cactus Sour Strong proves otherwise, with a one-of-a-kind taste profile.

The nicotine pouch has a tart flavour that may be popular among fans of lemon or lime who are looking for something a little different.

Cactus Sour isn’t the only unusual flavour from XQS, with the brand also offering options like elderflower and hallonsoda. But it definitely wins the title of “most unique”!

Let’s take a look at a recent review:

“Taste is an individual thing. I happen to enjoy it very much. Slightly sour, not too sweet, and it's distinctive without being overpowering.”

2. Gingery Liquorice

Individually, ginger and liquorice are divisive tastes. Combine them, and they create a formidable combination that some will love and others will hate. The only way a pouch user can decide which camp they fall into is by giving it a try!

STRÖM Gingery Liquorice combines ginger's spiciness and liquorice's bitterness with a subtle apple flavour to help the two ingredients blend together.

3. Eucalyptus and Honey

There’s nothing particularly “out there” about eucalyptus or honey as individual ingredients. Sweet and minty are two of the most popular nicotine pouch flavours, and products that combine fruits with mint have been rising in popularity.

But Lyft Eucalyptus & Honey Strong provides something a little different. Eucalyptus has an aromatic taste that’s somewhat fruity and sweet compared to true mints like peppermint or menthol. Meanwhile, honey has a sweet taste with subtle floral notes. The result is a flavour unlike any other.

Just hear it from one of our customers:

“A refreshing, at first subtle taste of pine needles from the eucalyptus and an earthy freshness from the honey. I was worried this would be too sweet but it's not. The moisture level is just a little drier than Velo so less drip which suits me. Since my first tin I've bought ten more!”

4. Honeydew Black Pepper

Honeydew is a sweet, juicy melon that can be added to fruit salads or eaten plain as a refreshing snack. Melon and pepper aren’t a common combination— but Ace X Honeydew Black Pepper proves the fusion can make sense.

A sweet taste dominates, but black pepper adds a hint of spice. Since the pouches are moist, these flavours hit all at once.

5. Cuba Libre

A classic Cuba Libre contains rum, cola, and lime — but Swave Cuba Libre also adds vanilla and cinnamon for its own unique take on the beverage. It’s a unique formulation that makes for a perfect cocktail alternative.

6. Hot Rhubarb

A couple of years ago, any nicotine pouch flavour combining fruit with spices could have been considered “whacky.” More recently, the stakes have been amped up, with an increasing number of products falling into this category.

But despite it getting harder to stand out as a cutting-edge flavour, Loop Hot Rhubarb manages to do just that. It combines rhubarb's tart yet sweet taste with spicy green chilli for a truly intriguing experience.

7. Maracuja

Most people are unaware of the maracuja, an exotic fruit native to South America that’s known as passionfruit in English. But that didn’t stop it from appearing in GRITT Maracuja.

The nicotine pouch boasts a tangy yet sweet flavour that takes the taste buds on a journey. It’s a bold release in the GRITT collection, which was launched in 2022 by the Ministry of Snus.

8. Zone X Fuji Zing

Zone X Fuji Zing Extra Strong combines ginger with yuzu fruit, which native to Japan. The fruit has a tart flavour that’s somewhat similar to lemon or lime but has its own unique “Fuji zing.”

Who’s brave enough to give it a go?

9. Green Mango Lemongrass

Lemongrass is an aromatic herb that’s a staple ingredient in Thai and Vietnamese cuisine, as well as medicine and cleaning products. It tastes similar to lemon, but it’s less bitter and has a spicy edge.

FIX Green Mango Lemongrass combines the taste of the plant with green mangoes for double the tanginess, plus a fruity touch. It’s also a moist portion and contains 11.5 mg of nicotine per pouch, providing an intense experience.

The FIX brand is known for its pioneering flavour profiles, with a “Flavour Index” including options like Fig Raspberry, Cherry Blossom, and Chai Latte.

One of our customers was divided:

“I have to admit - strong flavour. Super recommend, if you are looking for taste. :) Cant get that Mango thou and lemongrass isnt for my taste buds but its flavory. Good for daily usage.”

10. Swave Cloudberry Lemon

Swave is the only brand to appear on this list twice, which shows its commitment to developing unusual taste profiles.

A cloudberry is a fruit that most people outside of Scandinavia aren’t aware of. But it’s time for that to change! This berry looks somewhat like a yellow raspberry and can only grow in arctic and subarctic regions, so it’s a privilege to have the chance to consume it from anywhere in Europe.

The Swave Cloudberry Lemon nicotine pouch combines its taste with lemon. What better way to enjoy the Swedish tradition of oral nicotine?

A Whole New World

After venturing out of the bestsellers list and popular flavour categories like mint, there’s another world of flavours waiting to be discovered on Snusdirect. The only question is what to try first.

Enjoy them while lounging around in a tropical climate for full effect! But they’re so good, they can be consumed anywhere.

Tropical Fruit Flavours

When asked to name a fruit that encapsulates a summer vibe, there’s a good chance that the average person would choose a “tropical” fruit like:

• Pineapple
• Watermelon
• Mango
• Passionfruit
• Papaya

For the ultimate summer flavour, nicotine pouches with taste profiles inspired by these fruits are a good place to start.

XQS Tropical Strong is a fantastic option since it contains a fusion of mango, passionfruit, and pineapple. So many exotic tastes contained in one tiny pouch!

FIX Watermelon Ice is another strong choice. Not only does it contain a flavour of watermelon — the quintessential summer fruit — but it also combines it with icy menthol, so it will also cool the user down.

There are plenty more fruit nicotine pouches containing exotic fruits or other juicy tastes.

Coconut Flavours

When most people think of hot climates, they immediately imagine a tropical beach complete with coconut trees. Is this the ultimate taste of summer?

A few brands offer coconut-infused nicotine pouches. For instance, Volt Coconut Crush Mini combines the creamy nuttiness of coconut with lemon and rhubarb for a unique flavour.

But no nicotine pouch collection does coconut quite like COCO itself. COCO nicotine pouches are unique because they’re made of coconut fibres (rather than the usual plant-based fibres).

This means the coconut flavour shines through in all COCO taste profiles, which include:

• Blue Razz
• Clean Peach
• Tropical Mango
• Natural Mint

Since all these flavours are tropically inspired, they offer double the punch of summer goodness.

Cocktail Flavours

Enjoy the taste of delicious cocktails without the alcohol content or the calories with cocktail-inspired nicotine pouch flavours.

This is where Swave nicotine pouches shine — the brand’s collection includes various products based on popular cocktail flavours.

These include:

• Swave Daiquiri: Has notes of melon, and pear to emulate a sweet daiquiri flavour.
• Swave Cuba Libre: Formulated to taste like a rum and coke, with elements of vanilla and cinnamon.
• Swave Aviation: Boasts a taste of juicy cherries and flora violets, inspired by the classic 1920s cocktail Aviation.

Soda Flavours

Cocktails aren’t for everyone, but soda-inspired nicotine pouch flavours provide a (literally) sweet alternative.

For those who associate summer with an ice-cold glass of cola, Klint Cola Lime Strong will likely go down a storm. It pairs the taste of cola with the cooling citrus notes of lime for the ultimate refreshing flavour.

Then there’s Lynx Fizzy Lemonade. Its bright yellow and pink can design is enough to get many people excited about summer, and it also provides a fusion of lemons, grapefruit, and limes.

Or, for a traditional Swedish soda flavour, there’s XQS Hallonsoda (meaning raspberry soda). It provides a syrupy yet tart flavour.

Cooling Flavours

So far, we’ve highlighted flavours that scream summer sun and vacation. But another option is a nicotine pouch that will cool the user down amid piping temperatures.

This is where mint pouches come in. Mint has long been the most popular nicotine pouch flavour since they’re refreshing, cool, and often provide an icy blast. All of these features also make them a great choice for the summer.

As the dry summer sun heats the skin, enjoying a freezing effect in the mouth can moderate the effect and balance the body’s temperature.

VELO Crispy Peppermint is known for providing an icy blast thanks to its combination of sharp peppermint and mouth-numbing menthol, so it fits the bill.

Tips for Enjoying Nicotine Pouches in the Summer

As the temperature climbs, it’s worth keeping a few extra things in mind when navigating nicotine pouch usage.

Storage

Nicotine pouches should be stored in a dry and cool place away from sunlight to maintain their freshness. Generally, a cupboard will suffice.

But while pouches usually maintain their flavour and strength for a year from the manufacturing date, hotter temperatures can somewhat reduce this.

Therefore, those who live in hotter climates or buy a lot of nicotine pouches in bulk (meaning they need to store the products for longer) may want to consider storing their pouches in the fridge instead.

Another option is to experiment with freezing nicotine pouches. As well as maintaining freshness, this provides an icy touch that works great in the summer.

Nicotine Strength

It’s often enjoyable to switch up a flavour rotation when the weather changes.

However, nobody needs to completely rethink their approach to nicotine pouches just because the temperature has risen. It’s best to stick to the same nicotine strength for all seasons. Go too low and there may be insufficient nicotine strength to feel an effect — but go too high, and the risks of using nicotine needlessly increase.

Flavours to Avoid During Summer

Nicotine pouches with a warming effect are generally better as winter pouch flavours. These include:

• Chilli
• Cinnamon
• Chocolate
• Coffee

However, taste is subjective, so there’s no right or wrong flavour to consume for a given season. There’s always going to be that one person who enjoys the warming taste of habanero chilli while relaxing under the sun, so don’t be afraid to experiment!

What Are The Different Mint Flavours?

As you may know, many mint nicotine pouches are available, with a surprisingly wide range of flavours within the category. Here the majority of these tastes will be listed and described to inform you what you need to know, and hopefully, you will identify one that suits you the best. Also, there is a recommended product that fits the flavour description for each category to give you somewhere to start. Note that these are not in any order, even though they are numbered:

• Peppermint: The most traditional and well-known mint taste is peppermint. This tasting experience is potent, cold, and refreshing, giving you a blast of freshness. You may already be familiar with this flavour because it is in sweets, candies, and gum, making you reminisce about your childhood. A great example of this flavour is VELO Ice Cool, one of the best-selling portions in the mint category and out of every pouch available.

• Spearmint: A less potent variety of mint, characterised as being sweeter and less powerful than peppermint. Frequently found in chewing gum, toothpaste, and breath fresheners. For those who like a more delicate mint flavour, spearmint is a fantastic choice. On! Spearmint 6 perfectly exemplifies this balanced mint-tasting experience.

• Wintergreen: Wintergreen has a distinctive flavour profile with a slightly sweet beginning and a chilly, reviving finish. It is in goods like candy, chewing gum, and mouthwash. The wintergreen distinguishes it from other varieties of mint and is sure to be gratifying and revitalising. One of the most popular frosty wintergreen-tasting nicotine pouches is VELO Winter Chill X-Strong.

• Menthol: Menthol is a type of mint that is known for its cooling sensation. It is used in cough drops, lip balms, and throat lozenges and gives you that lip-numbing sensation. Menthol has a fresh, minty taste that provides an energising and invigorating experience. Some of the menthol products are extremely strong with the trademark lip-numbing sensation, one of the strongest being Siberia -80 All White.

• Fruit-infused mint: This mint is infused with fruits like strawberry, blueberry, orange, or raspberry. It offers a different and refreshing flavour experience with a sweet fruity twist, ideal for those seeking something different. One product that catches most consumers’ eyes is VOLT Red Swirl with a natural mint undertone that accompanies a sweet strawberry flavour.

With the staple mint flavour profiles above, you should have a better grasp of the mint range and have a vague idea of what you like about each one. If you do, you know the keywords to look out for when picking your nicotine pouch.

What Are The Best Nicotine Pouch Brands?

When trying to find a good nicotine pouch, you are always better off sticking to high-quality brands you trust. Here, you can search within the brand's line of products to see if there is something for you. There are several top brands for you to research, to help this process:

• ZYN – is a brand manufactured by Swedish Match, the top manufacturer in Scandinavia. So, if you buy a nicotine portion made by them, you know its incredible team have you covered. Another promising sign is ZYN nicotine pouches popularity throughout the US as it is the most-used brand in the States, which may be down to its wide variety of flavours and strengths. So, if the Americans love it, it must be good!

• VELO – you may have heard of this before as they populate the shelves behind the counter at most convenience stores and garages. British American Tobacco, the manufacturer of VELO, is one of the biggest tobacco companies in the world. BAT is at its height because everything is pinpointed, from production lines to research teams and material quality. It won't let you down.

• On! - This brand is manufactured by Helix Innovation and is slightly different from others. To begin, it has a small compact can, making transportation of the product easier. This small design is translated to its mini portions, which prioritise privacy, allowing you to enjoy this product without others noticing. With a range of flavours and strengths, On! has something for everyone.

As well as knowing the different types of mint flavours and some of the best mint pouches, you now know what brands to look out for and research, all helping you find the nicotine portion that suits you the best.

What Are The Best Mint ZYN Nicotine Pouches?

It would be almost impossible to select all the best mint nicotine pouches because there are so many, and individuals have different preferences. However, below you will find some of the most popular ZYN mint portions that customers keep coming back for:

• ZYN Cool Mint - The Cool Mint flavour of this ZYN nicotine pouch provides users with a refreshing and invigorating experience. The main flavour profile is dominated by a strong mint that is both cooling and slightly sweet. Some compare the taste to peppermint or wintergreen, with a clean and crisp aftertaste.

• ZYN Slim Spearmint Strong - If a smooth spearmint-tasting experience sounds appealing, look no further. Each nicotine pouch offers a sweet but clean spearmint flavour with rejuvenating effects. This well-rounded tasting experience is also available in dry portions and a lower strength, allowing the more newbie users to enjoy the natural minty goodness.

With some of ZYN’s top nicotine pouches hand-picked for you, this offers a place to start. However, if you aren’t content with the sound of one of these portions, there are plenty of other mint variations available to look at and numerous brands too.

Nicotine Pouches UK: Hot Brands Right Now

The UK is an emerging market for nicotine pouch manufacturers as they are growing in popularity but some more than others.

• VELO Nicotine Pouches UK - As mentioned earlier, VELO is a powerhouse brand in the nicotine portion market, especially in the UK.

• LYFT Nicotine Pouches UK - Another British American Tobacco brand, LYFT, is surging in the UK with its ranging flavour combinations and strengths. Its expanding catch lid gives an insight into the brand's innovativeness, showing the product's ingenuity and creativity.

So, now you have an idea of the brands enjoyed globally and in the UK too. See which you like the best you may find a line of products you love that are not in this article. You never know.

What Do The Experts Think?

To help you further with your quest to find the best mint nicotine pouch, here are some professional reviews to give you a more in-depth analysis of what each portion offers. Note that the nicotine pouches analysed are not better than others.

• VELO Freeze X-Strong - This is one of the most popular nicotine pouches on the market, described above. Go and see the expert opinion.

• Ace X Cool Mint - Another best-selling portion! Ace is an energetic and powerful brand that has nicotine pouches to match. The expert’s verdict for this robust product is all praise. Find out what they have to say as the extra detail may help.

With the reviews above, you can see how each product description relates to the taste and aroma. The longevity and feel of each pouch are discussed, giving you an idea of how the brand's portions will feel. Use this knowledge you have now gained to explore the mint nicotine pouch market and find your favourite.