Taffy (candy) facts for kids
Salt water taffy with a U.S. quarter for scale
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| Alternative names | Salt water taffy |
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| Type | Candy |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Region or state | Atlantic City, New Jersey |
| Main ingredients | sugar, cornstarch, corn syrup, glycerine, water, butter, salt, flavoring, food coloring |
Taffy is a popular type of candy that was first made in the United States. It's known for being light, fluffy, and chewy.
To make taffy, a sticky mix of boiled sugar, butter or vegetable oil, flavorings, and colorings is stretched and pulled. This process adds tiny air bubbles, making the candy soft and airy. Once it's ready, the taffy is rolled, cut into small pieces, and wrapped in wax paper to keep it fresh and soft. Taffy often comes in soft, pastel colors and fruit flavors. You can also find other flavors like molasses or even plain, "classic" taffy.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The word taffy first appeared in the United States around 1817. It was used to describe this boiled candy. Sometimes, the word taffy is also used to mean insincere flattery, like someone saying nice things just to get something.
The Oxford English Dictionary says the word toffee was first printed in Britain in 1825. It's thought to be a different version of taffy. Both words were first used in English dialects. Toffee is a different candy made from caramelized sugar or molasses. It was invented in the United Kingdom and is not the same as taffy.
Taffy in the United States
A recipe for taffy was even included in the 1887 White House cook book. This was during the time of President Grover Cleveland. The ingredients for that recipe included corn syrup, sugar, molasses, coconut oil, salt, and artificial flavor.
Salt Water Taffy
Salt water taffy is a special kind of soft taffy. It first became popular in the Atlantic City, New Jersey area in the 1880s. It got its name around that time. You can still buy salt water taffy on the boardwalks in Atlantic City. Many shops there have been open since the 1800s! It's also popular in nearby Ocean City and other beach towns in the United States, like Cape Cod. You can also find it in Atlantic Canada and Salt Lake City, Utah.
Today, most salt water taffy is made from corn syrup, glycerin, and butter. The pulling process makes the candy lighter and chewier. This involves stretching the mix, folding it over, and stretching it again. Even though it's called "salt water" taffy, it doesn't contain any seawater. However, it does have both salt and water in its recipe. In the Philadelphia area, people sometimes call a lollipop "taffy" without saying "salt water."
There are many fun stories about how salt water taffy was invented. Most of these stories are probably just legends. One story says an assistant accidentally used sea water instead of fresh water. Another tale says a storm caused ocean water to splash over the candy. The candy was then sold with the name "salt water taffy," and it became a big hit!
Joseph Fralinger helped make the candy famous by putting it in boxes and selling it in Atlantic City. Later, a candy maker named Enoch James became Fralinger's main competitor. James made the recipe even better, making the taffy less sticky and easier to unwrap. He also cut the candy into small, bite-sized pieces. James is also known for using machines to do the "pulling" process. Taffy was even sold by mail order! In 1926, a song called "Send Home Some Taffy Today!" was created for James's company. Both Fralinger's and James's stores are still open on the Atlantic City boardwalk today. The Glaser family has owned both companies since 1947.
What's in Salt Water Taffy?
Salt water taffy is made of sugar, cornstarch, corn syrup, glycerine, water, butter, salt, and natural or artificial flavors. It also has food coloring. Some common flavors include vanilla, lemon, maple, banana, red licorice, watermelon, raspberry, or mint. Even though it's called "salt water" taffy, it does not contain seawater. It just has salt and water as ingredients.
Taffy in the United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, taffy pieces are usually called "chews" or "fruit chews." The word "taffy" is almost never used there. Popular brands of chews include Chewits and Starburst.
Taffy in Canada
In Canada, a type of molasses taffy candy is made especially for Hallowe'en. These are known as "hallowe'en kisses." The Canadian candy company Kerr's first offered this candy in the 1940s. At that time, a similar molasses candy was made by Stewart and Young in Glasgow.
See also
In Spanish: Caramelo masticable para niños
