Over the past 50 years, Rick Normant has seen many changes at the N.C. State Fair. However, one thing has remained the same, the classic recipes that go into making his family’s small batch salt water taffy treats.
In fact, these recipes were first used in the 1920’s by Normant’s uncle, Ed Sutter, who started the family taffy business at an amusement park in Cedar Point, Ohio.
“As a family we have made taffy for more than 100 years,” said Normant. “Our recipes include butter, sugar, a little salt and quality ingredients like real vanilla, pure peppermint oil, Dutch processed cocoa or peanut butter. When you read our ingredients it is all things you can pronounce, nothing imitation.”
When the The Normant family started out at the N.C. State Fair in 1951, it was with eight original flavors of taffy. Now the booth offers 11 choices, including their newest creamsicle – which joined the line up several years ago. The best sellers include peanut butter, along with strawberry and chocolate.
Taffy is made by mixing the ingredients into a kettle and cooking at 240 degrees. The mixture is then poured into cooling trays, which are stainless steel trays lined with ice. “During this process you have to make sure the taffy doesn’t get too hard,” said Normant. “When it is ready the mixture goes onto the pulling machine, which mixes in air and makes the taffy chewy.”
The pulling machine used is custom-made to fit the trailer. After about five minutes on the pulling machine, the mixture is put through the wrapping machine, which does about 180 pieces of taffy a minute.
“Our wrapping machine is an antique Model K, likely from the 1930s,” said Normant. “They stopped making this type of taffy machine right before World War II. It is old and you can no longer find parts for it. When something breaks we typically have to get a part made. Sometimes you can find this type of taffy wrapper in mom and pop stores, but commercial taffy makers use equipment that is a lot different than this machine.”
This year, Normant’s son Rick will take over running the family business at the N.C. State Fair. He is the third generation to work at the Fair. “I grew up coming to the N.C. State Fair with the family and the taffy business,” said Rick. “We always loved watching the Hell Drivers in the grandstand, especially Joey Chitwood. We now enjoy the tractor pulls and the demolition derby. From what I can remember our booth has always been where we are, which means we’ve seen a lot of different shows in the grandstand over the years. “
“Our Taffy is only made when we are at a fair or event, which means the product is extra fresh. We don’t use preservatives like several commercial taffy makers,” said Rick. “Preservatives can give some taffy a waxy taste. We want our taffy to be fresh, with high quality, natural ingredients.”
Fairgoers can find Normant’s Taffy located near the Grandstand during the N.C. State Fair, Oct. 17-27.