Marshmallow

For the plant, see Althaea (genus)

Pink marshmallows. Although marshmallows tend to be white in their simplest form, they are very frequently given colors.

The marshmallow is a confection that, in its modern form, consists of sugar or corn syrup, beaten egg whites, gelatin that has been pre-softened in water, gum arabic, and flavorings, whipped to a spongy consistency. The traditional recipe used an extract from the mucilaginous root of the marshmallow plant, a shrubby herb (Althaea officinalis), instead of gelatin; the mucilage performed as a cough suppressant.

Commercial marshmallows are a late 19th century innovation. Since Alex Doumak's patented extrusion process of 1948, marshmallows are extruded as soft cylinders, cut in sections and rolled in a mix of finely powdered cornstarch and confectioner's sugar.

Marshmallows are popular with children and adults alike, and are eaten with or without accompaniments. In the United States and elsewhere, marshmallows are also used in hot chocolate or café mocha (mochachino), Mallomars, in Peeps and other candy, on top of candied sweet potatoes during Thanksgiving, in Rice Krispie treats, in ice cream flavors such as Rocky road, and several other foodstuffs.

Roasted or toasted marshmallows

A popular and traditional treat is created by toasting marshmallows, usually over a campfire or open fire. A marshmallow is placed on the end of a stick or skewer and heated briefly. This creates a caramelized outer skin with a liquid, melted layer underneath. According to individual preference, they are heated to various degrees—from a gentle toasting to igniting and burning the outer layer. Either the toasted marshmallow can be eaten whole or the outside layer can be consumed separately and the marshmallow toasted again. S'mores can also be made by placing a toasted marshmallow between chocolate and graham crackers.

Marshmallows and vegetarians

Marshmallows were traditionally made with the eponymous marshmallow plant extract acting as a gelling agent. Most commercially manufactured marshmallows use gelatin instead of real marshmallow extract because of expense. These marshmallows are unsuitable for vegetarians, since gelatin is usually derived from animal hides or bones. Commercial kosher pareve marshmallows are also non-vegetarian; they usually use fish gelatin. However, fish is deemed not to be meat in kashrut, so they are an option for some.

It is possible to make marshmallows suitable for vegetarians by making them the traditional way, using powdered marshmallow root, egg whites, cane sugar, and vanilla extract, although powdered marshmallow root may be difficult to obtain. They can also be made using commercially-available gelatin alternatives [1]. Other vegetable gums often make an unsatisfactory product that does not have the spring or firmness expected of gelatin-based marshmallows. Some marshmallows marketed as appropriate for vegans are made using carrageenan and agar as gelling agents. [2]

Marshmallow Fluff and some other non-firm marshmallow products, either the commercial product or homemade, are suitable for vegetarians as most contain no gelatin, which mainly serves to allow the familiar marshmallow confection to retain its shape. These non-gelatin products, known generically as marshmallow creme, are fine for any confection using melted marshmallows or where the shape is less important, such as S'mores. Balls of marshmallow creme can be roasted, though it can be challenging and messy. Marshmallow creme can also be added to peanut butter and bread to create a peanut butter and marshmallow sandwich, sometimes referred to as a fluffernutter.

Marshmallow and herbal medicine

Marshmallow is a popular component in herbal remedies used in the western herbal tradition. The use of marshmallow mucilage promotes expectoration of mucus and phlegm. Additionally, it soothes and relaxes the bronchial tubes, making it ideal for treating lung ailments[3]. Marshmallow is generally used for medicinal benefits by consuming herbal tea infused with cut or powdered marshmallow roots, or by taking concentrated marshmallow liquid herbal extract if respiratory congestion is particularly severe.

Marshmallow related deaths

At least two choking deaths have been attributed to the game Chubby Bunny which involves the placement of marshmallows into one's own mouth and stating a phrase that is intended to be difficult to utter with the filled mouth. In 1999, a 12-year-old girl choked to death at Glenview Elementary school in Illinois, and on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2006, in London, Ontario at the Western Fair, a 32 year old woman collapsed offstage. Despite immediate medical intervention the woman died a day later.

See also

• The Marshmallow Plant
• Doumak
• Split Bean Coffee
• Peeps
• Marshmallow creme
• Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man

External links

• Marshmallow Recipe from FoodNetwork
• Cooking For Engineers: Marshmallows - Complete recipe with step-by-step photos
• Peppermint Marshmallow recipe
• The Marshmallow Explainedat HowStuffWorks.com
• Marshmallow History
• National Confectioners Association: The Marshmallow.
• A non-gelatin marshmallow recipe