Laffy Taffy facts for kids
Laffy Taffy is a popular American candy known for its chewy texture. It's a type of taffy made by the Ferrara Candy Company, which is part of a larger company called Ferrero.
These candies are small, rectangular, and individually wrapped. They come in many bright colors and delicious fruit flavors. Some common flavors include banana, strawberry, green apple, grape, and watermelon. You might also find unique flavors like caramel apple or pineapple.
A fun part of Laffy Taffy is the short, silly jokes printed on each wrapper. These are usually question-and-answer jokes, like "What do you call a cow with no legs? – Ground beef." Many of these jokes are sent in by kids, and their names are sometimes printed on the wrapper too!
The Story of Laffy Taffy
Laffy Taffy first started in the 1970s. It was made by Kathryn Beich Candies in Illinois. At first, they were called "Beich's [Flavor Name] Caramels," even though they were actually fruit-flavored taffy.
Later, the name changed to "Beich's Laffy Taffy." In 1984, Nestlé bought the rights to the candy. Laffy Taffy used to be advertised for its "long-lasting" flavor. The pieces were once thick and square, but now they are thinner and rectangular.
In 2003, the Willy Wonka brand introduced "Flavor Flippers." These Laffy Taffy pieces had an outer layer of one flavor and a soft center with a different flavor.
In 2018, Nestlé sold its candy brands, including Laffy Taffy, to the Italian company Ferrero SpA. Ferrero, which also makes Nutella, then added these brands to its Ferrara Candy Company in 2019. Since then, they have invested more in making and marketing Laffy Taffy.
What's Inside Laffy Taffy?
The ingredients in Laffy Taffy can be a little different depending on the flavor. But here are some of the main things you'll find in most Laffy Taffy candies:
Other ingredients, usually less than 2% of the candy, include:
- Malic acid (which gives a tart taste)
- Egg Albumen (from eggs)
- Natural Flavor
- Different colors like Blue 1, Red 3, or Yellow 6
The amount of these ingredients can change based on the flavor, color, and size of each piece:
