Taffy consultant
Taffy and chewy candy formulation, from cooking to wrapping
Taffy and chews live on texture: the bite, the chew, and whether it sticks to the wrapper. I help you get the texture you want and keep it consistent on the shelf.
- Free 30-minute call
- $149/hour
- Replies within 2 business days
Taffy consultant
What I help with
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Bite and chew
Firmer, softer or longer-lasting, tuned to what you want.
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Stickiness
Chews that stick to wrappers, teeth or each other.
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Cold flow
Pieces that slump and lose their shape over time.
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Graininess
Crystallization where you want it, and none where you don’t.
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Pulling and aeration
How pulling changes density, color and texture.
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Shelf life
Moisture, hardening and texture over time.
How it works
Four steps, starting with a free call
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Step 1: Send the form
Your name, email, company and what you make.
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Step 2: I reply within 2 business days
With a few questions and some times to talk.
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Step 3: A free 30-minute call
What you’re making and where it’s stuck.
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Step 4: An hours estimate, then the work
Once we agree on terms, we sign an NDA before you share formulas.
Background
Relevant experience
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Teaching
Aeration lab lecturer, UW-Madison Candy Course, since 2023.
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Research
Master’s research on sugar crystallization, the science behind grain in chews.
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Kerry
Developed chewable candy formats in industry, including vegan chews and chew supplements.
Questions
What does a taffy consultant help with?
Getting the texture right and keeping it there: bite, chew, stickiness, shape and shelf life. That includes new taffy and chews, fixing an existing recipe, cutting sugar, and scaling up.
Why is my taffy getting hard or grainy?
Usually it’s moisture loss, or sugar crystallizing over time. The balance of sugar and corn syrup, the fat, the cook and the packaging all play a part. Working out which one is driving it comes first.
Why does my taffy lose its shape?
That slow slump is called cold flow. It usually means the candy is too soft for how it’s stored, which can come from moisture, the cook or the formula. It’s very fixable.
Do you work on other chewy candy besides taffy?
Yes. Fruit chews and other chewy candy run on the same science, and I work on them too.
