I am not a licorice fan, so chocolate covered licorice does not appeal at all to me. And I'm generally a salty snack fan. But occasionally I do crave a bite of chocolate, so I relate to his craving. I buy those Lindt dark chocolate bars, and usually the dark chocolate with orange bits. I have always loved that bitter orange with dark chocolate. I can break off a square of it, nibble on it and am satisfied. Not an elegant package by any means, but nice enough chocolate to tuck into a basket with other items.

I love dark chocolate with nuts (all!) and pretzels, etc... something salty! not as crazy about chocolate covered fruit. the licorice sounds like it would be worth a try!! a cheese pairing appeals to me-- mushrooms not so much!!

I am not a chocolate lover but I think the italian collection with Tuscan olive oil, Sicilian salt, fennel pollen, pine nuts, Taleggio cheese and balsamic vinegar is very interesting. It's out of stock now but I've given it as a gift a number of times.

Outside, that's exactly how he eats his chocolate.. little bites. I think a basket with a selection would be a good way to go.

Oh my goodness - you are forcing me to reveal my greatest weakness!

i love real licorice flavor. Not Twizzlers or similar flavored candy, but really good black licorice.

The best I've ever had is from Denmark and it comes in the shape of little balls (a bit smaller than chocolate malt balls) enrobed in chocolate. It's sold in plastic canisters and they have seasonal and limited edition flavors for the chocolate part.

It's the ONLY thing I request when my DS visits from Copenhagen. And, very uncharacteristically, I don't share. Once I open the container I can't think of anything else.

The name escapes me, but I'll try to find it. For a licorice lover, I think it's the ultimate gift.

ETA They're Lakrids. Here's a pic of the 2013 holiday edition dusted w/ gold

amck2... the gold dusting doesn't appeal to me at all, but you have made me want to try lakrids! I love a good licorice! I will have to see if I can find it too...

Absolutely love black licorice!

Harry & David has chocolate covered fruit, sold by the bag. I especially love the cherries! Have never heard of choc covered licorice. Does the store in Maine have a web site or maybe you could call the store and they could ship it out? I LOVE choc covered bacon! ;)

They sell it on Amazon. I want them! I love imported candies and chocolates. Even the $2 bars of Belgian chocolate at Trader Joe's is better than anything from the American chocolate companies.

Thanks all! If I knew the shop in Maine, I'd have called. All I know is that they picked them up while on vacation. The ones at amazon are not the right ones-- that much I know.

I think the kookaburra (nuts.com) or the Lakrids (chelsea market baskets) are the ones to get. By the way, I have seen chocolate covered black and red (raspberry) licorice.

I need to put an order into nuts.com for christmas baking so I may give the kookaburra a try.

I like the chocolate covered fruit idea but they'll be traveling so I think we'll need something that will keep better. I know they will be tickled that I remembered their love of the licorice... now I just need to find other fun stuff to put in the basket.

The Harry and David stuff is dried fruit covered with chocolate. Keeps fine. Pretty sweet though, IMO.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration received a recent report describing adverse events linked to black licorice consumption. Similar reports have been published in a number of medical journals connecting black licorice consumption to adverse events in individuals over the age of 40, some of whom have a history of underlying heart disease and/or hypertension.

Further research by the FDA has found that black licorice contains a naturally present ingredient, glycyrrhizin, that may cause kidneys to release potassium, a mineral which is essential for the normal activity of the heart. Consuming multiple 2 oz bags (roughly 40-50 grams each) of black licorice a day for an extended period of time (14 days or longer) can result in dangerously low levels of potassium, and in some individuals this can produce abnormal heart rhythms, as well as hypertension, edema, lethargy, and congestive heart failure.

Usually potassium levels are restored with no permanent adverse health effects once consumption stops. If you have been eating black licorice and experience an irregular hearth rhythm or muscle weakness, you should stop eating black licorice immediately and contact your healthcare provider.

The FDA advises consumers, regardless of their age or health status, to avoid consuming large amounts of black licorice in concentrated time periods.

interesting... don't think I have ever binged on black licorice, but will make sure I never do!!

I've eaten quite a few of those Lakrids licorice balls in a day, but nowhere near the amounts - multiple 2oz. bags a day for 2 weeks or longer - that they referenced in that study. That is a lot of licorice! And much as I love it, I don't think I could make myself eat anywhere near that much.

Interesting.... Thanks for posting.

If you sample the licorice from Nuts.com, please let us know how it is. I love black licorice, but find that many places do not do it well and I am loathe to spend a lot of money on something that does not suit me.

I will, Tish.. though I am not sure I am the best judge. I like black licorice but chocolate? not so much. They should arrive when the bf is here so I'll let him weigh in.

Kookaburra licorice gets pretty high ratings so I'd expect them to be good.

He might like some of many raw chocolate bars carried in most health/natural foods stores these days. Hubby gets 1 made locally that is fantastic - like super rich fudge. & a little goes a long way; it is that satisfying. Maybe a sampler gift basket...?