What Is the Origin of Saltwater Taffy?

Saltwater taffy, a chewy candy particularly popular along the East Coast, has been satisfying sweet tooths for over a hundred years. Rooted in deep-seated traditions and history, taffy can be enjoyed in a wide variety of flavors, primarily of the fruit variety.

Saltwater taffy is a delicious, old-fashioned snack.

Geography

Although widely associated with the Atlantic City Boardwalk, a popular tourist destination on the New Jersey Shore, taffy is thought to have originated at county fairs in the Midwest.

Types

Candy maker Joseph Fralinger first came up with the idea of selling taffy along the Atlantic City Boardwalk, suspecting it would be popular among the throngs of tourists. He sold it in boxes, making it easier to give out as a souvenir.

Competition

Fellow candy maker Enoch James soon joined Fralinger on the East Coast and ventured into the field of saltwater taffy. Today, more than 125 years later, their taffies live on under a single brand name, James' and Fralinger's Salt Water Taffy.

Name Origin

Although the story's validity remains in doubt, this confection supposedly derived its name from a tale in which an ocean-front candy store became flooded. As a result, the proprietor jokingly began pedaling the candy as "saltwater taffy."

Ingredients

Although it does contain both salt and water, taffy does not contain saltwater. It's made primarily of corn syrup and sugar, and was traditionally cooked in a copper kettle over a coal fire.

References

• Candy Food Facts, History, Information, Timelines
• James' and Fralinger's Salt Water Taffy