Today is National Toasted Marshmallow Day, so I figured I'd I'd go into a quick history of the sticky-sweet treat.
First thing though-- when I found out about the mallow plant, I thought marshmallows came from that, but...well, I've made marshmallows and there's nothing natural about those fluffy and super-sweet things. Ok, so most of it comes from plants via a lot of processing, but still.
The first thing in the history of Marshmallows is actually from Ancient Egypt. 4,000 years ago, ancient Egyptians were mixing honey and Mallow sap and sometimes things like nuts and fruit got added. These were reserved for the pharaohs and gods though, so please remember that next time you eat the strangely addictive gelatinous sugar puffs.
In the 1800's, the French came up with something else and whipped up the sap, then put it into molds. The candy makers couldn't keep up with demand. And probably had arm muscles of steel for being able to do that. My stand mixer considered rioting when I tried the second round of marshmallows.
Until then, Marshmallows were sweet lozenge type candies. Here, they mixed it up with egg whites and sugar to create the fluffy treat we know now. They also added the corn starch to the molds because they needed to get things out fast, since they were so popular. The treats were harder than what we know now, more meringue like than the gelatin you know, and considered to be a medication for a sore throat. I don't know about you, but I'd really hate to suck on a marshmallow for long.
This is where the Girl Scouts come in. 1927, they released recipes using this treat and chocolate. The first possible iteration of S'Mores.
During the 1950s, America came up with the extrusion process to make marshmallows. Everything got whipped up and sent through tubes to get cut into pieces and packaged. Alex Doumak did that and started a company that still exists...I think. Before you grumble about me posting that even though I haven't looked it up, I did. I read their website and they say they're made to order only, and I'm not sure they are actually still around, or if they've faded into the ether.
Somewhere in the midst of everything, they went from using egg whites to using gelatin to make the fluff. They also traded out the actual Mallow for more gelatin and sugar. Which is now corn syrup, but that's a whole 'nother problem.
Technically, I could go into the story about Peeps, but I'm leaving that one out too. Weird sugar-coated monstrosities that are now coming in different flavors, they're going to wait until I have to grumble about a new flavor before I tell you about them.
After all of that, it's the treat you know and love, so I'm going to finish there.
If you want to try making your own marshmallows, you're welcome to try. It's actually not nearly as hard as you think, and adding your own flavors is awesome. Making peppermint marshmallows to go on your hot chocolate, or chocolate marshmallows to add flavor to coffee, or anything else.
And if you're a truly awful person, you could make these and not tell anyone what flavor they are until they try them first. Do not tell me if you make those abominations, do not tell me if you like those abominations, and do not ask me any questions about them.
I'll see you again soon. Have fun, and don't feel too sick at the thought of those abominations above.
Sources:
National Forests-- From Medicine to Camping Classics
Mental Floss-- History of the Marshmallow
Redstone Foods-- History of the Marshmallow
S'More'a'licious-- History of the Marshmallow
Marshmallow USA-- About Marshmallows
Delaware Historical and Cultural Affairs-- A Snack by Any Other Name-- A history of the Marshmallow
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