How Long Does Salt Water Taffy Last? [Shelf Life Guide] (2024)

Salt water taffy is a classic American candy that has been around since the late 1800s.

The texture of salt water taffy is stretchy and chewy, which makes it perfect for pulling into long strands.

Do you have any questions about how to store or how to use your salt water taffy? We’ve got an answer for you here in our blog post.

What is Salt Water Taffy?

Salt water taffy is a chewy candy made of sugar, cornstarch, and salt flavored with peppermint oil.

It was originally invented by David Bradley in 1883 when he created the original recipe for Salt Water Taffy.

He named it after the two things he had on hand: salt water and taffy.

Shortly afterward, a young girl came into his shop and asked if they sold any taffies there.

He was jokingly offering her some “salt water taffy”.

After sampling one-piece, she bought all of them to become what it’s called to this day.

The taffy is created by pulling a sugar and cornstarch syrup until it becomes elastic.

It is then stretched or pulled in different directions to create its chewy texture.

Salt water taffy is made into long pieces, twisted together with another piece of candy, wrapped in wax paper, and ends are cut off for individual servings.

It has been called “America’s most popular seaside summer treat” because of the mild flavor that can be enjoyed on hot days without melting too quickly.

Where to Buy Salt Water Taffy?

The best place to buy it is in Maine for those looking to satisfy their salt water taffy craving.

Tourists can find some of this state’s most popular flavors at a small shop called The Country Store, located on Route One.

Here you will be able to purchase various flavors such as grapefruit-lemonade and vanilla bean with fudge swirls.

This beloved candy originated from Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 1883.

The first taffy was made with molasses and sugar, but it wasn’t until the early 1900s that salt water taffy was perfected by a candy maker named David Bradley.

Another option for getting your salt water taffy fix is to purchase it online from Amazon.com or Taffyshop.com.

You can find a variety of flavors, including peppermint, sour apple, and cherry.

If you’re looking for the best deal on salt water taffy, order from Taffytown.com, which offers big discounts with a bulk size purchase.

How to Store Salt Water Taffy?

Salt water taffy is delicious, but it can be tricky when storing it properly.

The best way to store salt water taffy is in an airtight container.

Tins, metal containers, or freezer bags are all good options.

The key factor with storing any candy for a long period is keeping it cool and dry.

Sugar quickly attracts moisture, so if you can avoid exposure to humidity by sealing the candy up as soon as possible after making it, this will help prevent sugar from crystallizing on your taffy pieces and turning them into rock-hard bricks.

It’s best to avoid storing taffy in the fridge or freezer as this will cause condensation to form.

How Long Does Salt Water Taffy Last?

Salt water taffy is a sweet treat that you can find in many different stores.

This tasty, chewy candy is often homemade by people who enjoy creating their taffy at home.

It’s also possible to buy salt water taffy from brick and mortar shops or online retailers.

Salt water taffy is made with sugar, corn syrup, butter, cream of tartar (or lemon juice), and food coloring.

Due to the high sugar content, salt water taffy is a candy that can spoil quickly.

In general, the shelf-life for salt water taffy is one week if it’s kept at room temperature.

It can last two to three weeks in the fridge, and you should be able to keep homemade taffy from spoiling for one month as long as the container has a tight seal and no air gets inside.

Although freezing is not typically a viable storage method, it’s possible to freeze homemade salt water taffy for up to six months.

How to Tell if Salt Water Taffy is Bad?

This is a great question.

Whether you’re buying salt water taffy at the grocery store or making it yourself, some clear signs indicate whether or not your taffy has gone bad.

When purchased from the grocery store, look for any discolorations in color on the candy’s surface and be sure to check if they have an unpleasant odor.

If either of these things happens, do not eat them because they will taste bad as well.

If you’re making the taffy at home, be sure not to leave it out where air can dry and mold.

Taffy must always stay moist for the sugar crystals to dissolve properly.

If this does happen, throw away your batch because there is no saving it.

If the taffy looks hard, feels sticky to the touch, and has a foul odor when you unwrap it, that means your taffy is bad.

Keep in mind that it is normal for taffy to become sticky as it ages, but if your salt water taffy smells bad or becomes hard and dry, then you should discard the candy.

Conclusion

Salt water taffy is a popular sweet treat often found at state fairs, but it can also be bought in most grocery stores.

Salt water taffy has many benefits, including being low-calorie and gluten-free.

It also doesn’t stick to teeth like hard candy because salt water taffies are chewy instead of crunchy.

The only downside to this tasty treat is the shelf life which may not last as long as other sugar candies do.

If you’re storing your treats at room temperature or above, they will need to be consumed within seven days for optimum flavor and softness.

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