A snack by any other name: A brief history of marshmallows - Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs - State of Delaware (2024)

FAQs

What is a brief history of marshmallows? ›

2000 B.C. Ancient Egyptians discover a wild herb growing in marshland from which a sweet substance could be extracted. This substance, the sap of the marshmallow plant, is combined with a honey-based candy recipe to create a confection so delightful that it's reserved only for the pharaohs and the gods.

Marshmallow has been enjoyed around the world for over 4,000 years, with the earliest known recipe coming from Egypt, around 2000 B.C.E., and was not used as a tasty snack, but as medicine instead.

Ancient Egyptians were the first to enjoy a gooey treat now called marshmallow as early as 2000 BC. The treat was considered extremely special and was reserved for gods and royalty only. The marshmallow was originally made from the mallow plant (Athaea officinalis) that grows wild in marshes.

It is not known exactly when marshmallows were invented, but their history goes back as early as 2000 BCE. Ancient Egyptians were said to be the first to make and use the root of the plant to soothe coughs and sore throats and to heal wounds.

Chris Comstock, better known by his stage name Marshmello, was born on May 19, 1992. He is an American electronic dance music producer and DJ.

"A Marshmallow World" (sometimes called "It's a Marshmallow World") is a popular song that was written in 1949 by Carl Sigman (lyrics) and Peter DeRose (music). It was published the following year by Shapiro, Bernstein & Co.

Marshmallow leaf and root are used for pain and swelling (inflammation) of the mucous membranes that line the respiratory tract. They are also used for dry cough, inflammation of the lining of the stomach, diarrhea, stomach ulcers, constipation, urinary tract inflammation, and stones in the urinary tract.

Marshmallows, regardless of their sweetener content, are loaded with sugar, which should never be given to your pet. Even if your dog consumes marshmallows without artificial sweeteners, you should still be cautious as the high sugar levels can lead to an upset stomach, pancreatitis, and vomiting.

Marshmallows are a delicious snack on their own, but they can get a little boring when you eat them bald. You can really amp up their flavor by mixing them into a variety of snacks, desserts, and other dishes.

Is marshmallow healthy? ›

Marshmallow is generally considered safe. It has no reported side effects. It appears to be safe for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, although you should check with your doctor before taking it. One study suggests marshmallow may lower blood sugar levels.

Althaiophobia is the fear of marshmallows, mostly. caused by the gooey texture.

Perhaps the most important conclusion of The Marshmallow Test is that “will power” is not an inborn trait. The children who couldn't wait and ate the marshmallows simply had not learned the skills the other children used. Once they learned them, they got better at delaying gratification.

A typical marshmallow contains sugar, corn syrup, and gelatin, plus some air. That's it. “A marshmallow is basically a foam that's stabilized by gelatin,” says Richard Hartel, a food engineer at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In marshmallows, the foam is made up of air suspended in a liquid sugar mixture.

Roasting marshmallows over a campfire has been a popular activity for generations, but the exact origin of the tradition is unclear. It's believed to have started in the early 1900s when commercially produced marshmallows first became available.

Etymology and origins. S'more is a contraction of the phrase "some more". A s'more recipe appeared in a Campfire Marshmallows cookbook in the early 1920s, where it was called a "Graham Cracker Sandwich". The text indicates that the treat was already popular with both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.

First conducted in the early 1970s by psychologist Walter Mischel, the marshmallow test worked like this: A preschooler was placed in a room with a marshmallow, told they could eat the marshmallow now or wait and get two later, then left alone while the clock ticked and a video camera rolled.