Like the thread title says. A cursory search here turned up nothing helpful.
Are there other types of taffy besides saltwater? Why saltwater? What makes taffy taffy? What’s the best taffy?
And what really goes on at a taffy pull, anyway???
What’s the SD on taffy?
Saltwater taffy does not contain saltwater. It does seem to retain a certain flavor from the ocean air, hence the name. (I heard this on an episode of American Eats, or something like that.)
And a taffy pull consists of buttering your hands, and pulling, doubling, and pulling again, with a partner, over and over and over again, until the taffy is the proper consistency. It’s messy. I do not recommend this with small children around.
The best comes from Atlantic City, NJ. The worst comes from wherever my mother-in-law went in Florida. Mackinac Island, MI had some pretty decent stuff, too, the last time I was there.
Came in to say what MissGypsy already said.
The best saltwater taffy definitely comes from Atlantic City, NJ.
I have my mother mail me some every now and then when I get a craving. I’ll put a bowl of it on my desk, it disappears quickly, and my co-workers are always very grateful.
I’ve never been to Atlantic City so I can’t comment on the taffy that comes from there but in the Pacific Northwest, I can highly recommend the saltwater taffy made in **Phillips Candy Kitchen ** in Seaside, OR. The batches of taffy are regularly made in the shop so they’re always fresh with just the right balance between softness and chewiness.
I think the best saltwater taffy has to be fresh (i.e., made in the store where you bought it). I think a lot of people have had bad experiences with hard stale taffy that’s been shipped in from cross-country and passed off like it’s homemade. As a result, many swear off taffy altogether.
Laffy?
Just to add some flavor,
maybe Mr. Bradley was just pulling our leg!
CMC fnord!
Thanks for the info!
Can someone suggest a particularly good taffy maker in Atlantic City that ships? I 'd like to order some and give it a try.
All taffys are made from corn syrup, sugar, and flavoring. Most shops who make it have a machine to pull and stretch the taffy-its the pulling and stretching that intoduces air bubbles 9that make the taffy soft and chewy). There are plent od shops making it.
Depending on where you are, go to Gatlinburg, TN sometime. There should stil be a candy store there with a constantly running taffy machine. You can just sit and watch the machine for minutes and minutes. It’s just mesmerizing to watch.
Sadly, Gatlinburg has become so touristy that it’s not fun any more.