Chocolate Covered Salt Water Taffy From The Fudge Kitchen, Cape May, NJ
(Chocolate Covered Salt Water Taffy From The Fudge Kitchen, Cape May, NJ)
Greeting from the MagicBrain Cybercafe in Cape May, NJ. Still unable to get wireless internet at our condo, I’m blogging to you from the nearest wireless cafe. With latte and biscotti in hand, I wanted to share a post as delicious, light and breezy and the winds that whip off the beach. That reminds me–it’s time to get my kites out and start flying!
Inside each of these jewel-covered foil wraps sits bite size morsels of Jersey Shore history. Beginning in the late 19th century, a somewhat sticky, chewy candy treat was invented that at once drew in visitors to the then resort of Atlantic City. It was the salt water taffy.
As the story goes, in 1880, David Bradley owned a candy stand which was situated facing the beach in Atlantic City. One evening, a full moon brought on high tide, and ocean spray misted Mr. Bradley’s taffy. Undeterred from selling the would be spoiled product, Mr. Bradley quickly thought to call this mishap salt water taffy.
It was a big hit with the visitors who came from near and far, and before long, word spread of the delicious salt water taffy from the East.
An entrepreneurial gentleman named Enoch James took the idea of the salt water taffy and ran with it. He revolutionized the process of making the candy, enhancing its flavor and decreasing the stickiness which at times caused the taffy to stick to the wrapper, and one’s dentition. Today, James and Fralingers continues to be the most popular and well known sources of the best taffy one can find.
(Jewel-colored foil glistens with sweat in the heat of the morning)
At some point, I don’t know when, someone decided it would be a great idea to coat salt water taffy in rich dark chocolate. The idea, I say, is brilliant. Each time I visit Cape May, I visit The Fudge Kitchen, which has been operating for over 25 years. Although their claim to fame is fudge (making 21 flavors of it-and always handing out samples), they carry a line of chocolate covered salt water taffy that brings me back again and again. Never stale, and always soft and chewy, each mouthful of chocolate contains a surprise flavor. Will it be chocolate? Maple perhaps? How about raspberry?
(Chocolate salt water taffy in deep dark chocolate)
Any way you bite it, as the late George Carlin said, I bet you can’ eat just one.
[…] at The Houndstooth Gourmet captured the most darling brightly colored, chocolate covered taffy. Check out her blog for more […]
always my favorite treat from C.M., my favorite place in the world.
I just discovered Cape May and the Fudge Kitchen this summer! I was sort of overwhelmed by all the flavors of fudge and all the sugar in the air… but next summer I will definitely try chocolate-covered taffy! Hope you’re having super weather and a super vacay.