Hey, troops, I have an interesting question: How do they make marshmallows? I’ve always taken advantage of the fact that they were just…there, you know, and I never gave much thought to their creation. I saw a recipe for them once but it didn’t really do much for me. I’m curious about the mass production of the little fellas, though I’d rather picture them growing en masse on great groves of marshmallow bushes. I’m not a fanatic of them - I like 'em, and I can thank my wife for introducing me to s’mores (yeah, I didn’t camp much as a kid), but I’m far from being obsessed with them. Just curious for information - thanks!
And here’s some more info from an ancient thread:
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=9655
So has anyone here ever tasted marshmallows made from the marsh mallow plant? I once read an essay by Steven Jay Gould in which he lamented that marshmallows had been reduced from an interesting and unique candy to bland fluff, and I’ve been curious ever since.
Snake-Hips, you’re a life-saver. Oh wait, that’s a “hole” other treat altogether, isn’t it? And as long as we’re in a “mallow” mood, what’s up with Marshmallow Peeps around Easter? Do people really enjoy those things? I hear they’re best enjoyed slightly stale. I never had much of a sweet tooth - too many dental problems as a wee one - so I can’t be counted as a fan of them. I’m sure there’s an underground cult following for Peeps, perhaps in the league of Circus Peanut fans, but I’m not aware of any. Talk it up, Peep Freaks!
Which is only to be expected, since they only have two possible states. If they’re not slightly stale, then they’re completely stale.
Personally, I find they make pretty good decorations, and they’re re-usable year after year!
These guys seem to qualify…
www.peepsresearch.org
True, you never really see fresh ones, do you? Hell, you could buy a box fresh off the truck soon as they come out for the season and already they have the consistency of a gum eraser. They always seem to be the last thing eaten from the Easter basket, and by that time they’re almost a safety hazard. Be sure to wear steel-toed shoes in case you drop one.
Lately I’ve seen the bunny ones, so whatever bizarre ways you eat chocolate bunnies, you can now apply them to the marshmallow ones.