Marshmallow

Marshmallow (including Marshmallow, hamburger bacon, marshmallows, fruit sugar bacon bacon rarely ) is a candy made ​​of sugar ( about 75 %), egg white, gelling agent, and flavoring and coloring agents. Originally marshmallows from the roots of marshmallow ( Althaea officinalis ) were prepared. The name is derived from the English name marshmallow: only for this plant ( German Marsh Mallow ). Today is mostly used gelatin as a gelling agent for cost reasons, but there are also marshmallows kosher or vegetable gelling agent ( agar, carrageenan ) available as well as products which quite gelling agent to waive (eg " marshmallow fluff" ).

Preparation

Marshmallows are now especially popular in the USA, where for Thanksgiving, for example, sweet potatoes are topped with marshmallows. Frequently they are heated on a grill before eating or ( impaled on sticks ) over a campfire rotated. But have their origin marshmallows in the French ' Pate de guimauve ".

Historical development

The marshmallow is a medicinal plant that is used for a long time in Europe. The roots from the marshmallow but a sticky, white substance arabic before the use of rubber in northern Europe and similar adhesive substances was also used as an adhesive. The medicinal use can be traced back at least to the 11th century, when candied pieces of marshmallow root have been used as a remedy for colds.

The French took advantage of the properties of marshmallow root as a first for culinary rather than for medical purposes. Made with beaten egg whites, sugar and sticky ingredients of the marshmallow, they produced " Pâte de guimauve ', the forerunner of today's marshmallows. It was not until the early 20th century, the substances of the marshmallow plant were replaced by gelatin. In its original form this precursor of marshmallows is still available as so-called Eibischteig and will act cough and soothing.

Trivia

In the 1960s, the marshmallow test was conducted by psychologist Walter Mischel. It should be checked whether the children are capable of so-called delayed gratification.

In the movie Ghostbusters (1984) and in the eponymous animated series is to see a 30 -foot-tall " Marshmallow Man ".