Technique Theory: Taffy

Taffy is a confection that is better defined by its characteristics than by its ingredients, which may vary greatly among formulas. Taffy is a chewy candy that is pulled to aerate it and may contain frappe to make it even lighter. The technique for cooking taffy is similar to that used to produce soft caramels; taffy is then pulled using a technique similar to the one used to aerate hard candy. Taffy must be wrapped immediately after pulling and cutting, because it exhibits pronounced cold flow, and the pieces will lose their shapes and re-agglomerate if they are not wrapped. While there are several varieties of taffy, the most famous variety—saltwater taffy—is the type sold in seashore resort areas.