Taffy can go bad quickly at high temperatures. However, it will firm up again when kept at a lower temperature. Stored properly, saltwater taffy can be enjoyed for weeks or even months. It can also be frozen to keep it fresh longer. Keeping taffy away from humidity, heat, and direct sunlight is essential to ensure maximum freshness.
Refrigeration
Taffy is a hard candy that can last longer when stored properly. It is usually flavored with fruit or chocolate and can be soft or hard. It is produced by boiling sugar, corn syrup, butter, and other ingredients until it reaches the right temperature. It is then pulled by hand or in machines and shaped into different sizes. It is essential to store saltwater taffy, for example, Purple Mountain Taffy, in an airtight container to avoid humidity and extend its shelf life. Flash-freeze the candies before packing them into a bag or box is also an excellent idea. Without this step, the taffy would clump together and become sticky when thawed. The best way to tell if taffy has gone wrong is by its color and smell. If it looks or smells bad, it is a sign that it has spoiled and should not be eaten. It is also a good idea to use gloves when handling raw taffy.
Freezing
Saltwater taffy is a chewy candy with a lot of sugar. This sugary candy is not healthy for teeth and can cause tooth decay. Keeping taffy in the freezer can help to extend its shelf life and keep it soft. The freezer can also help to prevent the taffy from melting when exposed to high temperatures. To freeze the taffy, first, remove it from its wrapper. This will make it easier to separate from other pieces upon thawing. Next, prepare a tray by lining it with parchment paper or wax paper. The taffy should be cut in halves or quarters to give it room to expand when frozen. Once taffy is in an airtight container, it can be kept in the freezer for up to one month. Tins, metal containers, and freezer bags all work well to keep taffy safe from moisture.
Room Temperature
A pound of saltwater taffy can last up to six months when stored correctly in low humidity. However, it can melt in high heat or when exposed to warm weather conditions. In this case, refrigerating the taffy will help it firm up. When cooking taffy, make sure to use a candy thermometer. Also, be careful not to burn your fingers when handling the hot mixture. A pair of plastic gloves sprayed with a bit of cooking oil will keep your hands from sticking to the candy as you pull, stretch, and shape it into shapes. If you don’t have a candy thermometer, you can test the consistency of your taffy by dropping a bit into cold water. When it forms a ball, it is ready to stretch. If it sinks or turns to mush, it is too complicated and needs to cool before you try again.
Wrapping
As long as taffy is kept in an airtight container, it can be preserved for many months. It’s a great way to enjoy the sweet treat without going to your local candy store or waiting for an online order to be delivered. Taffy is a soft, chewy candy that comes in various flavors. It’s a classic American candy that might bring back fond childhood memories for some. It’s thought to have been invented when a candy store flooded with ocean water, ruining the prepared taffy and resulting in the name saltwater taffy. You can use various ingredients to create different types of taffy, including marshmallow cream, butter, corn syrup, and other food colorings. Some recipes even include vanilla extracts. Before you wrap the taffy, chill it in the refrigerator for a few hours to give it a softer texture. You can also use oiled kitchen shears to cut the taffy into long, thin ropes.
