As much as I love candy even as a child I never really liked Taffy even though I’ve tried Laffy taffy in the past which is why I believe I will sit May 23rd National Taffy Day #NationalTaffyDay out. But I bet you a dollar bill to a 10 dollar bill David will want to go get Taffy this afternoon and before you ask me about Charlie I don’t know if he will want some or not. How about you. Would you like to have some Taffy and join David in celebrating National Taffy Day?
National Taffy Day might just be one of the sweetest days of the year and imagine a world where every chew is a nostalgic, sweet, and fun journey. That’s exactly what National Taffy Day is all about and why this holiday comes every year. National Taffy is a day dedicated to honoring one of the most beloved confections Taffy. Known for its chewy texture and myriad Fruity and sweet flavors, Taffy is not just a scrumptious nibble of Candy. Instead, it is a time-honored culinary technique that has tickled taste buds throughout the generations.
The story of Taffy, especially the wildly popular Saltwater Taffy, is as colorful as its many flavors. Did you know the humble beginnings of Taffy can be traced back to the 19th Century. The first mention of Taffy in print appeared in the Oxford English Dictionary in 1817. However, it was not until the mid-1800s that Taffy really began to take off in popularity.
The evolution of Taffy saw a significant milestone in the 1870s with Taffy pulling, giving it its unique texture. But the most exciting urban legend in Taffy history is how Saltwater Taffy got its name.
Legend has it that in the 1880s, a Candy shop on the Jersey Shore was flooded by a tremendous storm, soaking its Taffy stock with Salty Atlantic Seawater. The owner was not thrilled to lose his precious inventory. So, with a sense of humor and business acumen, he began selling it as “Saltwater Taffy.” An American classic was born. I can not tell you if this is a true story or not and we will never know – but I believe what they said sure makes a good story! Don’t you?
In the late 20th Century, Taffy saw another variation with the introduction of a new Laffy Taffy, a commercially-made and readily available Candy shaped like a long cord, adding to the already diverse world of Taffy varieties. Again the first National Taffy Day was celebrated in the mid-1980s. Do you remember that day because I don’t.
How to Celebrate National Taffy Day
Host a Taffy Tasting Party
Roll up those sleeves because delating with Taffy can get a little messy when diving into the world of homemade Taffy. This adventure begins with selecting the main ingredients including Sugar, Cornstarch, Butter, Water, Salt, and a dash of flavoring. The magic happens when cooking these ingredients together and pulling the Taffy until it becomes aerated and stretches into that perfect chewy consistency. This process is as much about making memories in the kitchen as it is about making candy. Making Taffy is a fantastic way to engage some muscle because Taffy pulling takes a surprising amount of arm strength.
Taffy Tasting Party
Transform the living room or backyard into a Taffy-tasting haven. Lay out a spread of various Taffy flavors and make sure you think of classics including Vanilla and Strawberry, or serve up some crowd favorites like Chocolate and Peppermint. Throw in wild cards including Banana, Grape, or spicy Cinnamon. To make the event more fun blindfold guests and let them embark on a sensory journey, guessing the flavors as they chew. Enhance the experience with scorecards, awarding a Taffy-themed prize for the most accurate palate. It’s not just a party; it’s a playful exploration of tastes and textures.
Taffy Art
Unleash that inner artist within you and channel Taffy as a medium. This edible art form can be a fun activity for all ages. Use the vibrant colors of Taffy to create everything from simple shapes and figures to elaborate mosaics and landscapes. Did you know the pliable nature of Taffy makes it perfect for molding and shaping. Invite your friends and family and host a Taffy art contest, or just enjoy creating something beautiful (and delicious. Using Taffy in art is a unique way to celebrate the versatility of Taffy.
Visit a Taffy Shop
If you are lucky enough to be near a place where Taffy is made you should visit it as soon as possible. For my family we don’t have anyone near us making Taffy that I know of. Which is going to be a new lesson for Charlie as I have him look up places we can visit as part of a Homeschool Field Trip to see Taffy being made. Would you like to join us?
Watching Taffy being stretched and pulled on a Taffy puller is entertaining and educational. Many shops offer a behind-the-scenes look at how Taffy is made, from the initial cooking to the final wrapping. Watching Taffy being made is a mesmerizing dance of machinery and human skill, resulting in perfect little pieces of joy.Taffy.
Taffy’s delightful colors and flavors make Taffy a charming gift. Create small bundles of joy by packaging assorted Taffy in decorative bags or boxes. Add a personal touch with a handwritten note card or a fun Taffy-related pun. Distribute these gifts to friends, and family. Giving gifts of Taffy is a thoughtful and heartwarming way to spread happiness and share the spirit of National Taffy Day.
Taffy Flavor Invention
National Taffy Day is the perfect excuse to experiment in the kitchen if you’ve ever dreamed of a Chocolate-Coffee Taffy or a tangy Lemon-Basil Taffy now’s the chance to bring those ideas to life. Mix and match different flavorings, extracts, and even Spices to create a unique Taffy flavor. This creative endeavor is not just about the end product; it’s about enjoying the journey of discovery and taste-testing unique flavors of Taffy.
National Taffy Day is more than a day to pop in a bite of Taffy and rather, it is a celebration of candy-making history, creativity, and the simple joys of life. So, whether trying to pull Taffy at home or purchasing Taffy to share, savor each sweet moment with those we love. Come and join us as we try Taffy.
Recipe for Taffy
Prep Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 15 mins Total Time: 20 mins Servings: 40 Yield: 40 pieces
Ingredients
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup corn syrup
- 1 ½ cups water
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon orange, or other flavored extract
- 8 drops any color food coloring
Directions
- In a large saucepan, stir together the sugar and cornstarch. Add the butter, salt, corn syrup and water; mix well. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring to mix in butter. Heat to 275 degrees F (134 degrees C), or until a small amount of syrup dropped from a spoon forms hard but pliable threads.
- Remove from heat, and stir in the vanilla, flavored extract and food coloring. Pour into a greased 8×8 inch baking dish. When cooled enough to handle, remove candy from the pan, and pull until it loses its shine and becomes stiff. Pull into ropes, and use scissors to cut into 1 inch pieces. Wrap each piece in waxed paper.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
