Since its early days in Reykjavík in 1920, Nói Síríus has played a central role in Icelandic daily life and tradition. Its chocolate and confectionery have been familiar to generations, bridging family gatherings and festive holidays, and even finding a place around Iceland’s campfires alongside the dried fish known as harðfiskur.
A century of sweets and changes
The journey began with the founding of Nói, a company that initially focused on making sweets. The separate brand Síríus, launched a decade later by Hallgrímur Benediktsson, concentrated on chocolate. These two enterprises eventually joined forces in 1977, and united their operations, blending their approaches and broadening their line of products.
Through the decades, the family of Hallgrímur Benediktsson played a significant part in shaping the direction of Nói Síríus. Finnur Geirsson, Benediktsson’s grandson, managed the company until late 2021. That year marked a new chapter when Orkla, a Norwegian conglomerate, took full ownership following an incremental acquisition process that began in 2019. The leadership shifted to Lasse Ruud-Hansen, and with it, the character of the company entered a modern, international phase.
Traditions, inventions and exports
Nói Síríus’s influence extends far beyond its chocolate bars. Its confectioneries, and particularly the iconic Easter eggs, are deeply rooted in Icelandic culture. Every spring, about 300,000 chocolate Easter eggs are crafted at the factory in Reykjavík, a remarkable number given the country’s population of just 340,000. Each egg includes a slip of paper featuring a proverb or saying, a detail cherished by Icelanders of all ages.
Distinctive products like Tópas and Opal, both known for their menthol and eucalyptus notes, have established a reputation for being both refreshing and intense, sometimes described as an acquired taste. These candies, often said to soothe sore throats, have been adopted into Icelandic camping rituals since the 1930s. In recent years, Tópas and Opal have been reimagined as liqueurs, provoking strong reactions that range from delight to sharp criticism, including a memorable negative review from filmmaker Quentin Tarantino.
Beyond Iceland, sweets produced by Nói Síríus journey to the United States and Russia in considerable quantities, while smaller shipments reach Denmark and the Netherlands, sometimes under alternative brand names. The company has at times explored international expansion, including a period as co-owners of Latvia’s largest candy producer and a brief foray into English chocolate.
The Nói Síríus range has always reflected Icelandic tastes. Its chocolates come dark or milky, filled with varieties such as nuts, raisins and even liquorice. Since merging with the Opal sweet factory, the company expanded its lines further, introducing playful treats for children like the “Little Imps” collection of colourful candies and jellies.
Sources
- Wikipedia
- Wikipedia (Icelandic) in Icelandic
