Homemade salt water taffy

Are there any techniques to aerate homemade taffy, particularly saltwater taffy.

The professional saltwater taffy makers in Atlantic City, NJ and Ocean City, NJ use machines that pull the taffy over and over. But they are making massive quantities at a time.

I need a tip, trick, hack or technique that would do the same thing, but on a smaller scale.

candy taffy

Best Answer

To manually pull taffy, either you can stretch out the taffy between your arms by gripping one end of the taffy with each hand and extending your arms. This is extremely strenuous, and a lot of work especially when the taffy is cold or when starting.

Another option is to get a Taffy Hook, which looks like this:

It doesn't have to be anything specialized, any stainless-steel hook you can mount on the wall or temporarily attach to a surface will suffice. The idea is to hook the taffy on the loop and pull towards you or the ground, re-loop and repeat until the taffy is the desired consistency.

There are a number of home contraptions in various price ranges that work either by a motorized system or a hand-crank:

Youtube video of a hand-crank taffy puller

There are even homemade taffy pullers that you can find by searching the internet if you are more mechanically inclined.

Pictures about "Homemade salt water taffy"

Homemade salt water taffy - Top view of wooden tray with salt and bottles of cosmetic products placed on white tub with lemon slices on water surface

Homemade salt water taffy - From above of broken eggs on flour pile scattered on table near salt sack and kitchenware

Homemade salt water taffy - Sliced Lemon Fruit in Glass Picher

What is the difference between salt water taffy and regular taffy?

Since salt water taffy gained its moniker following that offhanded comment after the flooding in Atlantic City, there is really no difference between salt water taffy and regular taffy. There was little or no salt added to the candy over 100 years ago or now.

How is salt water taffy made?

Homemade salt water taffy is best when eaten within 7 days, but you can freeze your taffy for up to 6 months or keep it in the fridge to keep it fresh for two weeks. If frozen, just let the taffy come to room temperature for a couple hours and enjoy.

How long does homemade salt water taffy last?

The addition of cornstarch (called cornflour in British recipes) helps give the taffy a smooth texture.

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