There is no other product that better symbolizes the Jersey Shore than Salt Water
Taffy. It is no wonder that salt water taffy is our number one mail order item. Since
we have recieved so many inquires about the origins of taffy, and taffy recipes,
this page is dedicated to answering your questions.
It appears that there are more myths and legends concerning taffy than actual fact.
Fisrst, no one really knows who created the original recipe or exactly when.
However, taffy was known to be have been sold in both the Midwest and Atlantic
City in the year 1880. Taffy was actually vended at fairs that toured in theMidwest
at the time.
It was Joseph Fralinger who first sold taffy as a souvenir item from the Jersey
Shore. He had great success packaging the product in boxes and selling it to
boardwalk strollers. He first purchased 200 boxes which seeemed like a huge
number. What happened was incredible. He sold every box in a single Saturday
evening and Sunday morning. He had discovered a marketing marvel and the
competition caught on.
Another taffy legend, Enoch James, migrated from the Midwest to Atlantic City
to find his fortune in taffy. James Salt Water Taffy and Fralinger's are still the big
names in taffy in Atlantic City today. The differance between the two manufactures
is the size of the product. James' produces a square bite size taffy; known as a
"kiss." Fralinger's makes a longer, skinny shape; known as a "long" or "log" style
cut.
But why is it called salt water taffy? The answer lies, of course, in another legend
this time concerning Atlantic City taffy vender David Bradley in 1883. The story
goes that Mr. Bradley's boardwalk store was damaged by storm tide water in the
summer of 1883. Included in the damage was his supply of taffy. The next day his
first customer was a girl who asked for a bag of taffy. Being in a bit of bad humor
because of his soggy taffy, Bradley replied, "You mean salt water taffy." Apparently,
Bradley's mother overheard his remark and suggested that he the candy that name.
In the summer of 1884, he opened his stand selling "Salt Water Taffy." The rest is
history. Atlantic City directories show no listing of any store selling "salt water taffy"
until 1889. So make what you will of the story.The phrase "salt water taffy,"
apparently was never copyrighted and has been used by various candy makers
over the years. The peak of the taffy frenzy occurred in the 1920's when there were
over400 companiesmaking and marketing the product.
Today, salt water taffy is still the trademark souvenir of the Jersey Shore. A tradition
which has now existed for well over 100 years. So when you purchase your next
box of salt water taffy, you're getting more than a box of candy. You're actually
taking home some Jersey Shore tradition; a little legend; and a taste of American
pop culture. Enjoy!
Listed below is a salt water taffy recipe. Although there are different recipes
available, the recipe listed is fairly generic. Sorry, this recipe does not call for
the inclusion of actual salt water. Although certain recipes do call for salt as an
ingredient, no one seems to have actually used salt water in the course of making
taffy.
Makes about one pound.
Use a square pan: 8X8X2. Mix sugar, corn syrup,water, cornstarch, butter and
salt in a 2 quart saucepan. Heat to boiling and stir continuously. Then, cook,
without stirring, to 256 degrees using a candy thermometer (hard ball). Remove
from heat and add vanilla. Pour into pan. When the taffyis cool enough to handle,
pull it until it is satiny, light in color and stiff. Pull the taffy into long strips about 1/2
inch wide. Cut the strip into pieces with a scissor. Finally wrap the pieces
individually inplastic or waxed paper to hold its shape.