Why Shrivers has Been *The* Place to Get Salt Water Taffy since 1898!
I associate the Jersey Shore with saltwater taffy, it seems to be our most popular candy export. Often imitate, never duplicated. It’s no secret that New Jersey is literally the place where saltwater taffy was invented, and Shriver’s on the Ocean City Boardwalk has been the spot since 1898.
So what exactly is saltwater taffy? Facts: There’s no salt or saltwater in the famous taffy.
There are lots of urban legends about why it’s called “saltwater” taffy instead of just regular taffy. One rumor is that in 1883, a storm hit Atlantic City and waves cleared the boardwalk and flooded several businesses with seawater, including a candy shop owned by David Bradley. Since the business was under “sea water”, he said to his customers that he was only offering “saltwater taffy”.
Shriver’s is the oldest business on the boardwalk in Ocean City, New Jersey. It is a fourth-generation business upheld by the same family since 1959. In addition to their saltwater taffy, they make delicious fudge, chocolate, candy, and their popular macaroons. All of their deliciousness is made right in-house and open year-round.
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Walking around the shop is like a smaller version of Willy Wonka’s, complete with kitsch and seeing how the magic is made. There is plenty to take in while you walk including a window where you can watch the taffy being made! (And if you’re lucky you might get to sample the taffy right from the machine).
Taffy flavors range from classic to unique including Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry, Grape, Peanut Butter, Licorice, Banana, Molasses, Molasses Mint, Orange, Lemon, Lime, Peppermint, Wintergreen, Teaberry, Spearmint, and Cinnamon.
If you live in New Jersey or you’re traveling to Ocean City for vacation, Shriver’s is definitely a tourist stop you must make. When we’re not in a global pandemic, you are greeted with fudge samples at the door.
Speaking of fudge, Shriver’s fudge is fresh and handmade in old-fashioned copper kettles. They make 10 batches a day and 30-40 different flavors during the season. They are perfectionists when it comes to their fudge, and they taste test before serving it to the public.
Their most popular flavors are vanilla, chocolate, peanut butter, and a vanilla chocolate combo with nuts.
Can’t make it to the shop? Shriver’s delivers to all of the United States. It’s the perfect gift for a certain blogger if you’re looking for something to get me…
For additional information on Shrivers, visit their Website, Facebook, and Instagram.
