National Taffy Day

National Taffy Day, always  held on May 23, has no known origin and is considered an 'unofficial' (though tasty) holiday. 

 

Salt Water Taffy

 

Salt Water Taffy on Amazon

Salt water taffy was “invented” in Atlantic City in 1883. It has become a beach-side tradition since it first appeared, quickly becoming a favorite tourist souvenir.  Taffy has also become popular in the Midwest at county fairs and at some theme parks.  

Taffy is a variation of soft toffee*  At first, it was unflavored, then later molasses and vanilla were added as flavorings.  Today's taffy can be found in flavors from banana to chocolate and coffee, and lemon and mint to hot chile.  When the fancy flavors were added, the taffy was also colored to match the flavor.  The three most popular flavors are  peppermint, cinnamon and chocolate.

Salt water taffy is made with sugar, cornstarch, corn syrup, glycerine, water, butter, salt, flavoring and food color.  Taffy actually contains NO salt water (seawater). However, it does contain both salt and water.   In modern recipes, corn syrup may be added to prevent crystallization. 

The taffy is stretched or pulled for 20 minutes or so and rolled into ropes, then, cut into pieces no longer than two inches and wrapped in wax paper to keep it soft.


*Toffee is a candy that originated in the United Kingdom and is made by caramelizing sugar or molasses)

Grandma's Taffy Recipe*

 

"A quick and easy recipe for any flavor of taffy"

Prep:  5 m ~ Cook:  15 m ~ Ready In: 20 m - Makes 40 servings (63 cal)

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Ingredients

• 2 cups sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup corn syrup
• 1-1/2 cups water
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• tablespoon orange, or other flavored extract
• 8 drops any color food coloring 

Directions

In a large saucepan, stir together the sugar and cornstarch. Add the butter, salt, corn syrup and water; mix well. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring to mix in butter. Heat to 275 degrees F (134 degrees C), or until a small amount of syrup dropped from a spoon forms hard but pliable threads.

Remove from heat, and stir in the vanilla, flavored extract and food coloring. Pour into a greased 8x8 inch baking dish. When cooled enough to handle, remove candy from the pan, and pull until it loses its shine and becomes stiff. Pull into ropes, and use scissors to cut into 1 inch pieces. Wrap each piece in waxed paper.

*Grandma's Taffy Recipe can be found on AllRecipes.com 

Laffy Taffy

 

Source: Amazon

In the 1970s,  a brand of taffy called Laffy Taffy was manufactured.  Made by Nestlé, it's sold under the Willy Wonka Candy Company brand.

Laffy Taffy is a type of taffy that comes in many fruit flavors. Laffy Taffy also comes with jokes, sent in by kids, written on the wrapper.

National Taffy Day

So, on May 23, come celebrate this day with a Taffy Treat. And for a list of more 'candy days' throughout the year, visit June is National Candy Month.




(c) Article by Wednesday Elf







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