There are several legends surrounding the create of Salt Water Taffy - the most persistent of which concerns a young candymaker from Atlantic City, New Jersey, circa 1883. Our young hero was then proprietor of a small candy stand on the famous old Boardwalk - then but a couple f steps above the sandy beach. One night, the elements conspired to raise an abnormally turbulent surf, the spray from which rained down upon the small establishment, sparingly dampening the young merchant's supply of taffy, the following morn, our young man was much chagrined to find his taffy in "dewy" condition, but before he had time to replace his stock, a little miss appeared requesting a penny's worth of taffy. In a sardonic rejoiner, he said "You mean Salt Water Taffy?" Unmindful of his remark, the child immediately began munching the confection, and his surprise, showed extraordinary delight in its taste, whereupon he gingerly sampled a piece of the taffy himself and discovered that the slight salt coating greatly enhanced the delicate flavor of the candy. Thus - by happy mischance - a great new depth of taste was added to an otherwise bland and possibly over-sweet candy...and Salt Water Taffy entered into the annals of American folklore. | |  | Today, Cape Cod Salt Water Taffy Company is one of the last authentic taffy kitchens in the East. Here you can watch the candymakers working their 50 pound loaves of taffy onto the pulling machines...see it pulled and stretched and decorated...and finally cut and wrapped by old-fashioned hand-fed machines. It's a truly fascinating process and the only way in which the velvety smooth texture and delicious flavor can be obtained. And perhaps the most fun of all - at the Cape Cod Salt Water Taffy Kitchen, you can fill your own box from the rainbow display of 30 different delicious flavors - all made from the original, home recipe which has made Cape Cod's own Mermaid Brand Salt Water Taffy kisses the finest there are. You'll love it! Enjoy them while you're here - take several boxes home for your family and friends! |
FAQs
Salt water taffy is taffy, and they are made using the same techniques. Every brand will have its own special recipe, but taffy and salt water taffy are often considered to be the same candy, with one key difference—the design.
Is there a difference between taffy and salt water taffy? ›
Salt water taffy is taffy, and they are made using the same techniques. Every brand will have its own special recipe, but taffy and salt water taffy are often considered to be the same candy, with one key difference—the design.
What is the trick to taffy pulling? ›
Double the taffy on the hook. Pull and repeat. This allows you to pull back and use momentum to help you, making it less exhausting. Grease your hands with butter again as needed throughout the process of pulling.
Are you supposed to chew salt water taffy? ›
There really is no wrong way to eat a piece of taffy. But we give super props to anyone that can keep it in their mouth without eating it for longer than it takes to chew it.
What are the ingredients in Cape Cod salt water taffy? ›
Ingredients: Corn Syrup, Sugar, Evaporated Milk, Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil (Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil, Lecithin), Citric Acid, Salt, (Salt, Yellow Prussiate of Soda), Natural and Artificial Flavors, FD&C Blue, FD&C Blue 1, FD&C Blue 2, FD&C Red 40, FD&C Red 3, FD&C Yellow 5, FD&C Yellow 6, Nut Meats.
Why is salt water taffy only sold at the beach? ›
Perhaps the salty air simply gives people a hankering for something sweet; it's also possible that the candies' decelerated drying and oxidation in humid air give them a unique “coastal” flavor.
What state is famous for taffy? ›
United States
Its late 19th century appellation most likely originated in New Jersey. Salt water taffy is still sold widely on the boardwalks in Atlantic City (including shops in existence since the 19th century), nearby Ocean City, elsewhere at the Jersey Shore, and other beaches throughout the US like Cape Cod.
Why is salt water taffy pulled after it is cooked? ›
The pulling process aerates the taffy, incorporating tiny air pockets into the stiff candy mixture. The taffy is transformed into a light, fluffy, and easy-to-chew candy.
Is taffy a laxative? ›
EXCESSIVE CONSUMPTION MAY HAVE A LAXATIVE EFFECT.
Should salt water taffy be refrigerated? ›
If it becomes too hard to consume, is overly sticky, or has a foul odor, chances are your taffy has gone bad. To prevent this from happening, you can store your taffy candy in a cool, dry area. Saltwater taffy can last for up to one month in the fridge.
Starburst (originally known as Opal Fruits) is the brand name of a box-shaped, fruit-flavoured soft taffy candy manufactured by The Wrigley Company, which is a subsidiary of Mars, Incorporated.
How healthy is salt water taffy? ›
Taffy is a sweet treat that can be found at carnivals and boardwalks. However, it is essential to note that a seven-piece serving of saltwater taffy contains 23 grams of sugar. This amount is more than the recommended daily sugar intake for both men and women. Taffy is a soft, chewy candy that is slightly fatty.
Do they actually use salt water in salt water taffy? ›
salt water taffy, a type of taffy (a chewy and soft candy) that originated in Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. The recipe for salt water taffy does not actually include salt water from the ocean, though it does usually call for salt and water, as well as sugar, corn syrup, butter, cornstarch, flavoring, and coloring.
Why is salt water taffy not salty? ›
Salt water taffy is a chewy and soft candy. It originated in Altantic City, New Jersey. Although it has the name salt water taffy, it does not have any salt water in it. Instead, it is generally made from sugar, corn syrup, butter, cornstarch, flavoring, and coloring.
Why is some taffy called salt water taffy? ›
The sweet is said to have received its name after a boardwalk candy shop flooded with water from the Atlantic Ocean in 1883, soaking all the taffy in salty seawater. Reportedly, the shop owner joked with a customer that all he had was salt water taffy, and the name stuck.
Why doesn't salt water taffy taste salty? ›
Although it has the name salt water taffy, it does not have any salt water in it. Instead, it is generally made from sugar, corn syrup, butter, cornstarch, flavoring, and coloring.
Are there different types of taffy? ›
It is usually pastel-colored and fruit-flavored, but other flavors are common as well, including molasses and the "classic" (unflavored) taffy.
Why do you have to pull taffy? ›
The purpose of pulling the taffy is to add air in to the candy. This allows for millions of air bubbles to form which is how a clear batch of cooked taffy all of a sudden begins to turn bright white. The added air into the product also adds volume, and turns the candy into a much larger piece.
