Turkish Taffy facts for kids
Turkish Taffy is a unique candy bar. It feels hard and crunchy at first. But when you chew it, it becomes soft and chewy. This candy comes in many different flavors.
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The Sweet History of Turkish Taffy
Turkish Taffy was first created in 1912. An inventor named Herman Herer came up with the idea. Later, a company called M. Schwarz & Sons bought the rights to make it.
In 1936, Victor Bonomo bought the candy rights. His father, Albert J. Bonomo, had started the Bonomo Company in 1897. They made candies like saltwater taffy in Coney Island, New York.
What is Turkish Taffy Made Of?
Even though it's called "taffy," it's actually a type of candy called a "short nougat." It's made from corn syrup and egg whites. This mix is cooked and then baked.
It's also not really from Turkey. The candy was made in the Bonomo factory after World War II. It first came in vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, and banana flavors.
How Turkish Taffy Was Sold
Turkish Taffy was first sold in big sheets. Stores like Woolworth's would break off pieces. They used a ball-peen hammer to do this! Then they sold the pieces by weight.
In the late 1940s, the candy came out as a bar. You could whack the bar against a hard surface. This would break it into smaller, bite-sized pieces.
The Science Behind the Snap
This candy has a cool trick. It can shatter when hit hard, but it's soft when you chew it. This is because it's a special kind of liquid called a non-Newtonian fluid. Ketchup is another example of this type of fluid!
Because it was chewy and lasted a long time in your mouth, it was popular. A bar still cost only 5 cents in the 1960s. Later, Gold Medal Candy Corporation sold it.
Turkish Taffy on TV
In 1949, Turkish Taffy became one of the first candies advertised on television. The Bonomo Company created a TV show called The Magic Clown on NBC.
Using TV helped make the candy bars very popular. But in 1980, the candy became part of Tootsie Roll Industries. It was stopped being made in 1989.
The Return of Bonomo's Turkish Taffy
Fans missed Turkish Taffy! In 2003, a new company, Bonomo Turkish Taffy, LLC, started a website. They announced the candy would return and took early orders.
A press release in 2010 said the candy would be back in stores. It officially returned on July 2, 2010, at IT'SUGAR in Atlantic City.
Delicious Turkish Taffy Flavors
Today, you can find Bonomo's Turkish Taffy in classic flavors. These include Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry, and Banana.
In 2012, two new flavors were added. These were Blue Raspberry and Wild Cherry.
Kosher Certification
Bonomo's Turkish Taffy is certified kosher. This means it follows special food rules. The Orthodox Union, a large organization, gives this certification.
