Taffy is a type of candy. Taffy is made by stretching or pulling a sticky mass of boiled sugar, butter or vegetable oil, flavorings, and colorings until it becomes aerated. When this process is complete, the taffy is rolled, cut into small pastel-colored pieces and wrapped in wax paper to keep it soft. It is usually fruit-flavored, but other flavors are common as well, including molasses and the "classic" taffy.
Salt water taffy is a variety of soft taffy originally produced and marketed in the Atlantic City, New Jersey area of the Jersey Shore starting in the 1880s. Its late 19th century appellation which most likely originated in New Jersey, United States. Salt water taffy is still sold widely on the boardwalks in Atlantic City, nearby Ocean City, and other popular beaches throughout the United States like Cape Cod. It is also popular in Atlantic Canada, and Salt Lake City, Utah. Modern commercial taffy is made primarily from corn syrup, glycerin and butter. The pulling process, which makes the candy lighter and chewier, consists of stretching out the mixture, folding it over and stretching it out again. Although it is called "salt water" taffy, it does not include any seawater but does contain both salt and water in its manufacture. In the localPhiladelphia dialect, the term "taffy" without "salt water" refers to a lollipop. The original invention of the candy has several different stories circulating, likely all apocryphal. One relates to an assistant who substituted fresh water with sea water—either through laziness or accident. Another cites a storm which caused ocean water to wash over the candy, which was consequently marketed with the appropriate name. Joseph Fralinger popularized the candy by boxing it and selling it in Atlantic City. Fralinger's first major competition came from candy maker Enoch James, who refined the recipe, making it less sticky and easier to unwrap. James also cut the candy into bite-sized pieces, and is credited with mechanizing the "pulling" process. The candy was also sold mail order; in 1926 sheet music was commissioned by James with the title "Send Home Some Taffy Today!" Both Fralinger's and James's stores still operate on the Atlantic City boardwalk. Both companies have been owned and operated by the Glaser family since 1947. On August 21, 1923, John Edmiston obtained a trademark for the name "salt water taffy", then demanded royalties from companies using his newly acquired name. He was sued over this demand, and in 1925, the trademark was invalidated as being in common use. Caramel candies are sometimes referred to as taffy, but are very different from common salt water taffy.
Ingredients
Salt water taffy is composed of sugar, cornstarch, corn syrup, glycerine, water, butter, salt, natural and/or artificial flavor, and food color. Some examples of flavoring include vanilla, lemon, maple, banana, red licorice, watermelon, raspberry or mint extracts. Despite its name, the taffy contains no salt water, but does contain both salt and water.
UK
In the United Kingdom, taffy pieces are known as "chews" or "fruit chews"—the term "taffy" is practically unknown. Popular brands of chew include Chewits and Starburst.
In Canada, a form of molasses taffy candy, known as "hallowe'en kisses", is produced in time for the Hallowe'en occasion. The candy was first offered by the Kerr's Canadian candy company in the 1940s. At the time, a molasses candy was made by Stewart and Young in Glasgow.
