Nostalgic candy: a traditional old-fashioned American candy maintains its popularity
In Atlantic City, New Jersey, it is often packaged in beach-themed collectible bins or Atlantic City memorabilia. Salt Water Taffy remains a popular treat, and is often purchased as a present or souvenir from that location. Otherwise, sources for this sweet treat range from high-end upscale boutiques to grocery store bulk departments that are bought by the pound. Its popularity may be based primarily on one measure that is never overlooked by grocery consumers: it tastes good!
The fable surrounding the name “Salt Water Taffy” is that it originated in 1883 after a northeasterly wind caused a flood in Atlantic City, New Jersey. David Bradley’s entire stock of caramel candy was soggy, apparently ruining it. Joseph Fralinger, who was in charge of the store, was asked to name the candy “Salt Water Taffy” after several customers ordered it using that (and similar names). He then bagged the candy and sold it as a souvenir of the flood. This fable, a classic “making lemonade out of lemons” story, quickly became popular and probably made caramel even more popular.
Frahlinger remains the oldest of Atlantic City’s original businesses on the boardwalk, still selling a wide variety of saltwater taffy. Due to the popularity of the candy (and especially its name), the “Salt Water Taffy” trademark was the subject of legal disputes several times throughout history. This sweet treat remains hugely popular to this day, and the name represents the sweet result of American ingenuity, creativity, and capitalism.
“Taffy Pulls” was the social event in which family, friends and neighbors participated; and documented in much literature and history from the late 1800’s. After making the simple recipe, the candy was hung on a hook and then stretched to a length of 5 to 6 feet long. It was then spooled back onto the hook and the strands doubled together. This “aerated” the mixture, which made the caramel smoother. Of course, this extraction process was eventually mechanized. A man named Enoch James is credited with first innovating the equipment and process that would make the extraction of chewy candy faster, more efficient, and suitable for commercial use. However, old-fashioned taffy sweaters are reported to continue to be seen at parties in Wales.
The caramel recipe is quite simple. It includes the common ingredients corn syrup, butter, sugar, cornstarch, water, and salt. After adding the desired food coloring and flavoring, the mixture is boiled to the “soft crack” stage at a temperature of 270 degrees Fahrenheit. Today, of course, Salt Water Taffy is primarily produced in a large-scale setting using modern manufacturing processes. Salt Water Taffy, which does not actually contain sea water, is available in colors and flavors to match almost any occasion, holiday, or theme. Many varieties contain a soft filling in the middle of each candy with a special flavor and color. Although candy is sold everywhere, Atlantic City is still considered its traditional “home” of origin in the United States. In Britain the name ‘Taffy’ is often used interchangeably with ‘Toffee’.
Salt Water Taffy is just one of many treats, both nostalgic and new, that visitors to Popsies in Oak Harbor, Washington will find. Can also be included in custom orders online at http://www.popsiespugetsoundpopcorn.com