I had the reverse happen in the US (from Australia). Had no idea that the purple/black sweets would taste like grape. Expected flavours were currants, aniseed, or possibly blackberry.
We do have licorice candy, but it will be black, not purple, and it wouldn't be mixed with other flavors of candy, since a large number of people seem to hate it. (Sometimes mixed jellybeans will include licorice.)
Eating too much black licorice (50g/day over a couple of weeks) can have detrimental health consequences for some people. So, moderation. Also some people get palpitations from black licorice.
