Saltwater taffy is a chewy candy made from sugar and butter, with no actual saltwater in it. It originated in Atlantic City and is still made by James Salt Water Taffy and Fralinger’s. It comes in many flavors and can be found in coastal locations or ordered online.
Saltwater taffy contains, to the surprise of many, no salt water. Rather its name suggests its origins. Generally, most take this dessert as its name since the first varieties were brewed on the boardwalk in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Some candy lore suggests that saltwater taffy was named after a flood that nearly decimated David Bradley’s shop. When he was cleaning the next day, a girl came in asking for taffy. Bradley has offered the girl “salt water taffy” and her name seems to have stuck, just as the candy sticks to the palate.
Saltwater taffy is essentially taffy and was made and sold throughout the United States in the 1880s. It became especially popular when two candy competitors in Atlantic City began producing candy in large quantities for beach vacationers.
The two initial companies, James Salt Water Taffy and Fralinger’s still make salt water taffy, and the recipes have changed only slightly since their inception. The most marked change is the variety of flavors now offered. A good seller can offer up to fifty different flavors to delight the palate.
Taffy is a very chewy candy, made from sugar and butter. The candies are then pulled to aerate and fill them. After an extensive pressing and pressing, usually done by machine, the candy is packaged into small wrapped rounds. Modern taffy recipes may use corn syrup or glycerin instead of traditional sugar for a stickier, more stable candy.
Generally, saltwater taffy can be found in small shops in most beach towns or coastal locations on the east and west coasts of the United States. It can come in different flavors and can be heavily colored with food coloring. Flavor variants include Chocolate, Vanilla, Peanut Butter, Banana, Cherry, Lemon, Peppermint, Root Beer, and the list goes on.
Some flavors are a little more unusual. Berries and cream, eggnog, caramel cheesecake, or caramel apple are relatively new offerings. Some companies also produce sugar-free or low-salt varieties for customers with special dietary restrictions.
If you don’t happen to live near a coastal region, you can order saltwater taffy directly from many of the popular vendors, including Fralinger and James. Keep in mind that Fralinger chooses to make its taffy in an oblong log shape, instead of the traditional round shape.
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