National Taffy Day!

by poolparty | May 23, 2008 at 02:00 pm

3779 views | 5 Recommendations | 24 comments

Today is National Taffy Day!

Salt water taffy was originally produced in Atlantic City back in 1883. Travel down any boardwalk and you’re most likely to come across a salt water taffy store. I love watching them pull it on the big machines and make it!

The exact history of how taffy came to be is still a mystery. Taffy has been part of American life since the late 1800s, and has been a beach-side tradition since it appeared in Atlantic City more than 100 years ago. Some say taffy appeared in the Midwest at county fairs even earlier. However, Atlantic City is known as the home of salt water taffy.

Legend has it that Salt Water Taffy received its name by accident. A young candy merchant, opened a taffy stand on the first Atlantic City Boardwalk - then just two steps above sea level. One night a generous tide brought in a lively surf which sprayed sea foam over his establishment and dampened his stock of candy. The next morning, the merchant was dismayed to find his merchandise wet and responded to a girl's request for taffy with a sarcastic but witty, "you mean Salt Water Taffy." The name, stuck!

Salt Water Taffy Facts!

Salt water taffy was “invented” in Atlantic City in 1883.

Modern technology allows confectioners to produce 1,000 pieces of taffy a minute.

In one hour enough pieces of taffy are made to cover one third of the length of Atlantic City (about 1.3 miles).

In one day enough pieces of taffy are made to cover about 2/3 of the width of New Jersey (about 46 miles).

The three most popular taffy flavors sold by Sweet Candy Company are peppermint, cinnamon and chocolate.

America celebrates National Taffy Day May 23rd.

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careybook

at 16:30 on May 23rd, 2008

Outside Convention Hall in Asbury Park New Jersey

careybook has contributed a photo to this story.

Albert Callo

at 17:59 on May 23rd, 2008

Fresh from the Santa Cruz Taffy shop

Albert Callo has contributed a photo to this story.

photobud606

at 18:03 on May 23rd, 2008

This is an authentic saltwater taffy candy shop on the Monterey Warf in Monterey, CA where you can walk in and purchase a full bag of fresh sweet saltwater taffy and watch it being made..........a unique experience!

photobud606 has contributed a photo to this story.

j5uliana

at 19:02 on May 23rd, 2008

There is a truck stop on the way to Denver Colorado that sells taffy by all the different kinds. You can make your own mix of only what you like!!

j5uliana has contributed a photo to this story.

bobw409

at 20:02 on May 23rd, 2008

This salt water taffy store is on the boardwalk in Seaside Heights, NJ. This picture was taken during the winter when the store was closed.

bobw409 has contributed a photo to this story.

rlyn4579

at 21:15 on May 23rd, 2008

Salt water taffy received in a swap from a good friend in Utah. Apparently, quite popular in Salt Lake City. These were produced by a local company.

rlyn4579 has contributed a photo to this story.

Johan Hedberg

at 00:09 on May 24th, 2008

Somewhere between L.A and San Francisco is where we found the best salt water taffys ever. Covered in fog from the sea just behind it and with a huge selection of flavours.

Johan Hedberg has contributed a photo to this story.

resnow777

at 05:11 on May 24th, 2008

Some of the many taffy choices on the Ocean City boardwalk.

resnow777 has contributed a photo to this story.

sonofgawddog

at 05:51 on May 24th, 2008

Virginia Beach still has hotels and store fronts dating to the early 60s including this Salt Water Taffy emporium. Had to buy some, it's a connection to happy memories. See it soon, the old is being torn down for the news high rises.

sonofgawddog has contributed a photo to this story.

AskMe@TheLibrary

at 06:55 on May 24th, 2008

People line up at the Mad River Steam Show in Urbana, Ohio to buy Coffelt's Salt Water Taffy. This taffy is a long-time favorite made in Clark County, Ohio.

AskMe@TheLibrary has contributed a photo to this story.

kristen773

at 08:39 on May 24th, 2008

Photo of James' Salt Water Taffy sign in Wildwood, NJ.

kristen773 has contributed a photo to this story.

Jenna Lou Designs

at 09:04 on May 24th, 2008

A trip to Northern Minnesota lead me to a candy shop with salt water taffy galore.

Jenna Lou Designs has contributed a photo to this story.

t8ertots86

at 09:32 on May 24th, 2008

This is taken in Savannah, Ga. A little candy shop on river street. They actually make the taffy in the store or shall i say all around the inside of the store! It's an awesome process.

t8ertots86 has contributed a photo to this story.

tessafatale

at 10:42 on May 24th, 2008

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tessafatale

at 10:55 on May 24th, 2008

My grandparents bought a house in Onset, Mass. (top part of Cape Cod) in 1960 when my mom was 10, and my grandpa named it "The Laughing Place". She and my 6 aunts and uncles grew up going there every summer, and I'm pretty sure Kenny's Salt Water Taffy was there back then. Onset is a town with amazing character, and most likely a place that one would skip when visiting The Cape. We like it that way! I love the vibe that Kenny's helps create on the pier of this obscure eclectic town.

Mang

at 11:13 on May 24th, 2008

Pier 39, San Francisco, CA

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Annieloreen

at 11:54 on May 24th, 2008

I was asked to share my taffy photo for National Taffy Day, so here it is!

Annieloreen has contributed a photo to this story.

naden

at 13:34 on May 24th, 2008

Taken at the Iowa State Fair - August 2007

naden has contributed a photo to this story.

argylesweater

at 18:11 on May 24th, 2008

My photo is some pink taffy being pulled at the Bloomsburg Fair in Bloomsburg, PA.

argylesweater has contributed a photo to this story.

Beaulieu

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 02:14 on May 25th, 2008

Steph02, I like this story. It's good stuff.

Us Brits give welshmen nicknames of 'Taffy'...I thought it was a celebration of that! I am now enlightened.. There is an American candy store near Covent Garden, London so I will check out their store one (they also have those awful yukky Hershey bars!).

Beaulieu

at 02:15 on May 25th, 2008

These taffys or taffies remind me of those Disney Dick Van Dyke movies

shacake

at 09:10 on May 25th, 2008

Salt water taffy heaven, San Francisco pier, CA. This was the first time I ever spent over $50 on candy, probally wont be the last!

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Nikon Sandy

at 13:04 on May 26th, 2008

This shop is located on Hwy 1 in Bodega Bay, California. Our family stops in on every trip to our coastal vacations over the last 15 years. It has the best taffy we have found and it melts in your mouth.

Nikon Sandy has contributed a photo to this story.