By definition, taffy is a chewy candy that is made from sugar, flavors, coloring agents and butter. So naturally, salt water taffy would be a confection of taffy containing salt water.But the adage is not true! Salt water taffy does not contain any sea or costal water in its making process or flavoring.

Salt water taffy is simply made from sugar, glycerin, starch, corn syrup, water, butter, flavoring, coloring agents and salt. The candy comes in various flavors like lemon, mint, vanilla and maple out of which vanilla seems to be the popular one. There are also weird flavors available with newer ones such as caramel, cheesecake, berries and cream and eggnog. There are also varieties consisting sugar-free and low salt.

During manufacturing, the taffy is stretched and pulled (mostly by machines these days) and once it is soft it is cut into pieces. The candies are then wrapped in wax paper to keep them soft.

In the UK, the taffies are known as ‘chews’. The salt water taffy was first produced in the 19th century in Atlantic City, New Jersey. An urban legend has it that salt water taffy was invented by David Bradley when his shop was flooded with sea water due to heavy rains and then a girl came by asking for taffy. He offered her ‘salt water taffy’. The legend still remains unconfirmed.

James Salt Water Taffy and Fralinger’s were the initial makers of salt water taffy but the companies seemed to have merged over the years. Whenever you are in New Jersey, you can buy the original salt water taffy from their store which is still located at where it started. And if you can’t make it to New Jersey, you can always mail order some. They make a good treat while walking the shores and can also be picked from the shore-side vendors.