Taffy is a type of chewy candy. Taffy is made by stretching or pulling a sticky mass of boiled sugar, butter or vegetable oil, flavorings, and coloring until fluffy. When this process is complete, the taffy is rolled, cut into small pastel-coloured pieces and wrapped in wax paper to keep it soft. It usually has a fruity flavor, but other flavors are common as well, including molasses and the classic unflavored taffy.

Salt water taffy was a noted invention of Atlantic City, New Jersey, and became a common souvenir of many coastal resort towns. Modern commercial taffy is made primarily from corn syrup, glycerin and butter. However, the Laffy Taffy and Airheads brands do not contain any animal-based products. The “pulling” process, which makes the candy lighter and chewier, consists of stretching out the mixture, folding it over and stretching it out again.

In the United Kingdom, “taffy” are called “chews”, they are shaped pieces of candy very similar to soft toffee but without the caramel flavouring, and can be found in the form of popular brands such as Chewits or Starbursts.

Caramel candies are sometimes referred to as taffy (taffy apples), but are very different from common salt water taffy.