Welcome to our series sharing Food Holidays: August 30th, 2022. If we were still in our Trailer instead of the apartment I know Charlie would be wanting to Toast Marshmallows for David. But Charlie would be wanting to make Smores. While I sit and watch them because I don’t like Marshmallows. Do you?
National Toasted Marshmallow Day
National Toasted Marshmallow Day on August 30th is one of the most anticipated food holidays many look forward to every year. Toasted Marshmallow Day not only allows us to enjoy a sweet treat like toasting Marshmallows over a fire, but it also marks one of the last times people will be enjoying Summer. Marshmallows, believe it or not, have been around for quite a while. In fact, ancient Egypt made Marshmallows thousands of years ago. History has also recorded people using Marshmallows for treating ailments like Angina. Now that’s something rather bizarre you don’t hear about every day.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL TOASTED MARSHMALLOW DAY
The National Toasted Marshmallow Holiday was created by the National Confectioners Association (NCA). The organization promotes the sweets businesses in the U.S.A. One may think that promoting Sugary food items might make for an unhealthy nation, but NCA aims to bring to light the benefits of choosing healthy options, which would, in turn, lead to a “balanced lifestyle” for many. Another of NCA’s goals includes lobbying for better communication frameworks, industrial insights, and regulatory business laws. All these factors would help candy businesses in America to grow and remain maintained in both the local and global market spheres. The candy business alone creates some 54,000 job opportunities in over 1,3000 factories in the Country.
The exact date of when Marshmallows were created has been lost to history. Many scholars cite ancient Egypt as somewhat of a starting point for the sweet treat. Ancient Egyptians made Marshmallows by extracting the sap from the root of a plant called ‘Althaea officinalis.’ This plant is native to North Africa, Asia, and Europe, and the Plant grows, as you may have guessed, in marshes. Apart from being used to make Marshmallows, the plant was also employed as an ornamental decoration throughout the world. Coming back to the sweet treat, Marshmallow-making process was extremely tedious and laborious in nature. The final product, mixed with Honey and Nuts, was served to royalty and Gods only, making it off-limits for the public. Over the Centuries, the Marshmallow went through several changes. From being produced by French confectioners by hand in the 1800s to being produced using machines in the 1900s, Marshmallows were being enjoyed by more and more people. The key ingredient, which was the root of the Marshmallow Plant, was also replaced with Gelatin/Corn Starch as the latter made the process easier and faster. People eat Marshmallows in a variety of ways. Including Milkshakes or with Chocolate or Crackers.
HOW TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL TOASTED MARSHMALLOW DAY
- If you are not going to toast Marshmallows on National Toasted Marshmallow Day, when are you going to do it? Just do the deed and join in on the celebrations.
- Old is gold, but take this holiday as the perfect chance to try other flavors of Marshmallows. In the olden days, Marshmallows were made in one flavor, but the wonders of the Twenty-first Century have us spoiled for choice with all the Marshmallow options available to us.
- We know that making Marshmallows can be a daunting process, especially given the sticky laborious process. But years of recipe development mean that the process has become much easier and efficient to follow, even for the layman. Don’t back away from this opportunity, and try your hands at making homemade Marshmallows.
5 FACTS ABOUT MARSHMALLOWS
- Marshmallows came to the U.S.A. in the 1900s after the new manufacturing process was introduced and popularized in the market.
- Half of all the Marshmallows sold in the Summer are toasted over a fire.
- Marshmallows are one of the most favorite treats for Americans who purchase at least 90 million pounds of them every year.
- Marshmallows that you enjoy today were created in France when the confectioners included Egg Whites and sweeteners in the traditional recipe.
- Some people are afraid of Spiders, some are scared of heights, and people who are scared of Marshmallows have Althaiophobia.
WHY PEOPLE LOVE NATIONAL TOASTED MARSHMALLOW DAY
- Did you know Marshmallows have come a long way. Marshmallows have been used to satisfy sweet cravings, and at the same time, Marshmallows have been used to treat ailments related to a sore throat. Marshmallows, after going through several manufacturing processes over the years, can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Whether you like Marshmallows toasted, with chocolate or other things, Marshmallows would be great in all cases.
- Marshmallow consumption may grow around Summer or Winter, nevertheless, Marshmallows are still eaten all year round. You can get really creative with how you like to have Marshmallows. Throw plain or Toasted Marshmallows into your Milkshake, Hot Chocolate, or Pancake Mixture. Or yet, you can choose to have Marshmallows on Pizza with Chocolate Drizzle. The choices are endless for all Seasons.
- Fireplaces are a great way to bond with others. People are telling stories, sharing gossip, and enjoying the warmth and atmosphere in general. Marshmallows are one treat that is a must for every hangout by a fireplace, indoors or outdoors.
Five things to know about Marshmallows:
- This confection is the modern version of a medicinal confection made from Althaea officinalis, the Marshmallow Plant.
- Did you know not all Marshmallows are vegan, most Marshmallows contain Eggs or animal based Gelatin.
- Marshmallow is a confection that, in its modern form, typically consists of Sugar, Corn Syrup, Water, Gelatin that has been softened in hot Water, dextrose, Vanilla flavorings, and sometimes coloring, whipped to a spongy consistency.
- Marshmallow probably first came into being as a medicinal substance, since the mucilaginous extracts comes from the root of the Marshmallow Plant, Althaea officinalis, which were used as a remedy for sore throats.
- Concoctions of other parts of the Marshmallow Plant had medical uses as well.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
