The History of the Marshmallow

Ever wondered where marshmallows originated from? Read our latest blog for all things mallow related!

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The marshmallow was originally made from the mallow plant (Athaea officinalis) that grows wild in marshes. The term marshmallow was derived both from the native home of the plant and the plant name. Mallow is native to Asia and Europe and has been naturalized in America. The Egyptians squeezed sap from the mallow plant and mixed it with nuts and honey. However, no one knows what the mallow looked like in those times but it does sound delicious!

The French were introduced to marshmallows in the early to mid-1800s. Owners of small confectionery stores whipped sap from the mallow root into a fluffy sweet mold. This time-consuming process was typically done by hand. Candy stores had a hard time keeping up with the demand. Confectioners started looking for a new process to make marshmallows and found the starch mogul system in the late 1800s. It allowed makers to create marshmallow molds made of modified cornstarch. At this same time, makers replaced the mallow root with gelatin and this created the marshmallow stable form we now enjoy today!

In 1948, Alex Doumak revolutionized the process for manufacturing marshmallows. He created and patented the extrusion process. This process involves taking the marshmallow ingredients and running it through tubes. Afterwards, ingredients are cut into equal pieces and packaged. In the 1950s, marshmallows became extremely popular and were used in a variety of food recipes.

Marshmallows are now enjoyed all over the world and are the main ingredient for creating s’mores! Toasted marshmallows squished between two chocolate topped biscuits create the most gooey, delicious s’more! 

Did you know we now handmake our very own gourmet artisan mallows in a range of delicious flavours? The fluffiest, soft sweet treat really are a taste sensation, like eating a little cloud of sweetness. Check them out here. 

Do you prefer your marshmallows as they are or toasted to perfection to create the ultimate s’more? Why not leave a comment and let us know.