Taffy

Taffy is a type of candy that is made by stretching or pulling a sticky mass of boiled sugar, butter or vegetable oil, flavorings, and colorings until it becomes aerated (tiny air bubbles produced), resulting in a light, fluffy and chewy candy. When this process is complete, the taffy is rolled, cut into pieces and wrapped in wax paper to keep it soft. It is usually pastel in color and has a fruity flavor, but can also be made to taste like vanilla, chocolate, peppermint and other flavors.

History

The origins of taffy are not well-documented, though some accounts suggest it may have originated in the United States in the 19th century. The term "taffy" is believed to have come from the phrase "taffy pull" (a social event where taffy was made and pulled), which was common in the United States during the 1800s.

Types of Taffy

There are several types of taffy available worldwide, including:

• Salt Water Taffy: Despite its name, salt water taffy does not contain sea water. It is a variety of soft taffy originally produced and marketed in the Atlantic City, New Jersey, area of the Jersey Shore starting in the 1880s.

• Laffy Taffy: Laffy Taffy is a brand of taffy manufactured by Nestlé and sold under their Wonka Candy brand. It is known for its jokes printed on the inside of the wrappers.

• Turkish Taffy: Despite its name, Turkish Taffy is not a form of taffy, but rather a type of nougat that was first created in the United States.

Making Taffy

Making taffy involves boiling sugar and other ingredients until they reach the hard-ball stage (a specific temperature range when boiling sugars), then pulling the mixture until it becomes aerated, which gives it a light and fluffy texture. The pulling process can be done by hand or with a taffy puller machine.

Taffy in Popular Culture

Taffy has been referenced in various forms of media and popular culture, including songs like "Taffy Butt" from the television show Bob's Burgers, and the 1960s song "Taffy and the Jungle Hunter" by Larry Verne.

See Also

• Candy making
• List of candies

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