Weekly Comic

The History of Marshmallows

By David McKeel

The modern marshmallow has roots way back in ancient Egypt. The ancient marshmallow plant, Althaea officianalis, was first used to cure sore throats. The first time it was used as a candy was also in Egypt. Egyptians extracted sap from the marshmallow plant and boiled it in syrup to make the soft candy.

In the mid 19th century French confectioners hand whipped this sap with egg whites and sugar to make marshmallows. Later, in 1948, Alex Doumake patented an extrusion process and invented the modern marshmallow assembly line.

Today there are many uses for marshmallows. Roasted marshmallows, the familiar caramelized sweets, were popularized in North America in the 1920’s, and S’mores began making camper’s hands sticky. Marshmallows are found in cereal, sweet potato casserole and many desserts. The deadly game of Chubby Bunny (where contestants attempt fitting as many marshmallows in there mouth as possible) has killed two people since 1999. 

The modern marshmallow is one of the simplest foods ever. To prove it, heres a recipe:

3 envelopes of unflavored Knox gelatin

1/2 cup of cold water

2 cups of granulated sugar

2/3 cup of corn syrup

1/4 cup of water

1/4 teaspoon of salt 

1 tablespoon of vanilla extract. 

Confectioners sugar for dredging

1. Sprinkle the gelatin over the 1/2 cup of water, soak for 10 minutes.
2. Combine the 2 cups of sugar, corn syrup, and 1/4 cup of water in a saucepan. Boil for 1 minute.  
3. Add the vanilla and scrape into 9x9 inch pan lined with plastic wrap.

Note: Lightly oil scraper. 

1. Take another plastic wrap piece and press down into pan.
2. Let sit for a couple of hours, then dredge with confectioners sugar. Cut twelve pieces out and dredge each one with more sugar. 
3. Make a roaring fire and roast em’!

Sources:

Answers.com

Wikipedia

Campfire Marshmallows

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