Karkkia

Karkkia is the Finnish word for candy or confections. It covers a broad range of sugar-based sweets, excluding most chocolate. In everyday language, karkki can refer to individual candies as well as assortments sold in boxes or by weight, and to subtypes such as hard candies, licorice varieties, gummies, and sugar-coated fruit sweets.

Manufacture and ingredients: Most karkki is produced in dedicated confectionery factories. Common base ingredients include sugar or glucose syrup, water, flavorings, and colorings. Textures are achieved with gelatin, pectin, starch, or other gelling agents. Licorice varieties use ammonium chloride for their distinct salty taste. Some karkki products are dairy-based or coated in chocolate, though many are chocolate-free.

Markets and culture: In Finland karkki is widely available from groceries, kiosks, and specialty shops. It is consumed as an everyday snack, during gatherings, and as part of gift assortments. Seasonal and holiday assortments are common, with varieties sold specifically for Christmas and Easter.

Health and regulation: Karkki is high in sugar and calories, so moderation is recommended. Packaging in the EU requires ingredient lists, nutrition information, and allergen labeling, and Finland enforces labeling and food safety standards.