Homemade marshmallows are a fluffy, squishy, and delicious treat! The best part about this marshmallow recipe is that they are made with real marshmallow root, which is a beneficial herb. Using raw honey, this easy marshmallow recipe is all-natural with traditional herbal ingredients and a super tasty flavor that is amazing in hot cocoa and s’mores!
Is Marshmallow Root in Marshmallows? The Sweet History Behind This Fluffy Treat
Marshmallows are a beloved sweet treat that most people enjoy roasted over a campfire or sandwiched between chocolate and graham crackers in a s’more Their fluffy texture and sweet flavor make them an iconic dessert But did you know that the original marshmallows were made from the marshmallow plant? In this article, we’ll explore the history behind marshmallows and whether modern versions still contain marshmallow root.
The History of Marshmallows
Marshmallows have been around for centuries, dating all the way back to ancient Egypt. The earliest marshmallows were made from the marshmallow plant, whose scientific name is Althaea officinalis. This herb grows in marshes and has a soft, fluffy texture when the root is boiled.
Ancient Egyptians combined the marshmallow root with honey and nuts to create a sweet treat. Marshmallows were considered a luxury dessert and were reserved for gods and royalty. The confection spread across Europe and the Middle East over the following centuries.
Homemade marshmallow recipes called for whipping the marshmallow root extract into a fluffy foam and shaping it into a candy. Up until the mid-1900s, marshmallows were still made by hand using the marshmallow plant. Then manufacturers discovered they could replicate the pillowy texture using gelatin, sugar, and cornstarch. This made commercial production much cheaper and easier.
Modern Marshmallow Ingredients
Today, most mass-produced marshmallows no longer contain any actual marshmallow plant. Instead, the main ingredients are:
- Sugar – Provides sweetness and structure
- Corn syrup – Adds chewiness and consistency
- Gelatin – Allows them to solidify into a squishy foam
- Dextrose – Prevents crystallization
- Artificial flavors and colors
Some brands may also include ingredients like carnauba wax or potato starch. High quality marshmallows may rely on natural flavors and colors derived from sources like beet juice. But the marshmallow root itself is no longer used.
The Rise of Homemade Marshmallows
In recent years, there has been a revival of interest in homemade marshmallows. Using modern stand mixers and candy thermometers, it’s possible to recreate marshmallows in your own kitchen.
DIY marshmallow recipes allow you to control the ingredients, bringing back marshmallow root to make them like the original version. They have a natural sweetness from raw honey or maple syrup instead of processed white sugar. You can also add fun flavors like vanilla, peppermint, or coconut.
Making homemade marshmallows is a hands-on process but fairly easy. It does require some specific ingredients like gelatin powder, marshmallow root powder, vanilla, and powdered sugar. With a little time and effort though, you can produce your own pillow-like marshmallows to enjoy in creative desserts.
Benefits of Marshmallow Root
So why bother seeking out marshmallow root powder to make homemade marshmallows? What benefits does this herb offer?
Marshmallow root has been used for centuries in herbal medicine thanks to its soothing properties. When made into a tea, marshmallow root coats and protects irritated mucous membranes. This makes it helpful for:
- Sore throat and coughs
- Heartburn
- Intestinal inflammation
- Urinary tract infections
It may also have mild anti-microbial effects to fight infection. The mucilage in marshmallow root can even be used topically to soothe skin irritation.
Adding marshmallow root powder to homemade marshmallows allows you to gain these natural benefits in a fun form. Just a teaspoon of marshmallow root per batch of marshmallows provides a therapeutic dose.
Simple Homemade Marshmallow Recipe
Ready to make your own marshmallows with marshmallow root? Here is an easy recipe to try:
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup marshmallow root powder
- 1/4 cup raw honey
- 1 packet gelatin
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup arrowroot or tapioca starch
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
Instructions:
- Bloom gelatin in 1/4 cup water. Let sit 10 minutes.
- Heat honey, maple syrup, and vanilla to 240°F.
- Whisk gelatin mixture on high speed for 5-7 minutes until fluffy.
- Add heated syrup and marshmallow root. Beat 1 minute more.
- Pour into pan coated with starch. Let sit 4 hours.
- Coat with powdered sugar and cut into squares.
Enjoy your homemade marshmallows in hot cocoa, chai tea, or s’mores! The marshmallow root provides a natural sweetness while supporting respiratory and digestive health.
The Verdict: Mostly No Marshmallow Root
So back to our original question – do modern marshmallows contain any actual marshmallow root? The answer is mostly no. Major brands rely on artificial flavors and gelatin to create the familiar texture. However, with homemade recipes you can take back control and use real marshmallow root powder like the original version. This provides an herbal boost along with a fun DIY candy project.
While old-fashioned marshmallows were made entirely from the marshmallow plant, modern versions are simply an imitation. But you can recreate the authentic experience at home. Making your own marshmallows with marshmallow root connects you to centuries of confectionery history – with a much healthier result.
A Short Marshmallow History
Marshmallow candies go way back to Ancient Egyptian times over 2,000 years ago, making them one of the first desserts that we know of in history.
It’s been said that the root of the marshmallow plant was boiled with honey, making for a thick, sticky candy.
As far as the puffy and fluffy marshmallows we know in today’s times, they go back to France from about 1850 and were continually handmade with marshmallow roots until the 1950s.
Then, manufacturers in the U.S. turned them into the commercial treats that we buy at the store today.
Without any trace of actual marshmallow root!
It’s a crying shame to take such a historical herbal and health benefiting treat, and turn it into a modern factory-made fake.
So, you see, we must take marshmallows back into our own hands and put the marshmallow back in marshmallows!
The marshmallow plant (Althaea officinalis) is a flowering herb that can be found growing in damp areas along seas, river banks, and marshes. It’s part of the mallow family, hence the name marshmallow.
This herb is cultivated for its root, which can be used in a variety of different ways from culinary use, medicinally, and for skincare.
Medicinally, marshmallow root is known for soothing irritated tissues and can be helpful for soothing sore throats. It also supports digestion and is also used for heartburn, acid reflux, and diarrhea.
Gelatin powder is used to give marshmallows their shape. Using a high-quality grass-fed gelatin powder will also provide vitamins and nutrients.
Often, agar agar powder can be used as a gelatin substitute in recipes at a 1:1 ratio. I haven’t tested for this recipe, but if you prefer a vegetarian or vegan marshmallow it’s a possible option.
Raw honey makes these homemade marshmallows sweet! For a vegan option, you could use maple syrup or try this homemade vegan honey (along with agar agar for the gelatin) as a substitute. I haven’t tested it in this recipe, but I can say it’s a good honey alternative!
Vanilla bean powder adds an earthy and natural delicious touch of vanilla flavor to these fluffy cubes.
Marshmallow root powder is the ground form of the herbal marshmallow root. It adds classic flavor as well as herbal benefits to these tasty treats.
Arrowroot powder is a gluten-free and allergy-friendly root powder that is similar to cornstarch. In this recipe, it’s used to keep the marshmallows from sticking.
Tapioca powder or cornstarch could be used to sub for the arrowroot powder, whatever you have and your system tolerates the best.
First, bloom the gelatin in the bowl of a stand mixer by pouring the gelatin over 1/2 cup of warm water and letting it sit for about 10 minutes.
In the meantime, add the other half cup of water, honey, and salt into a small pot.
On the stovetop, using a candy thermometer, toggle the heat between medium and high. Avoid stirring the mixture after the first minute so it doesn’t boil over.
Bring the temperature up to between 230-240° F (110-115° C), which takes about 10-14 minutes.
Mix the gelatin on low speed, and slowly pour the honey mixture into the stand mixer. Slowly increase the speed to high and whip until the mixture has reached its “peak.”
This means it will look and feel like pure marshmallow fluff, yay! It took mine about 6-10 minutes to reach its peak. In the last minute of whipping, add the marshmallow root and vanilla bean powder.
As the marshmallows are beating to peak fluff in the mixer, prepare a 9×9 pan with parchment paper. Dust the parchment paper with half of the arrowroot powder to keep the marshmallows from sticking.
When the marshmallow mixture is at its peak, quickly scoop it into the pan, and flatten the top with an offset spatula. Dust the rest of the arrowroot powder onto the top of the parchment paper.
Put the other piece of parchment paper over the top of the pan of marshmallows, so it can set overnight.
The next day, you can take the marshmallow out of the pan by carefully flipping it upside down onto a cutting board. Take the parchment paper off and use a sharp knife to cut the marshmallows into cubes.
Why are homemade marshmallows better than store-bought?
Store-bought marshmallows are full of who-knows-what ingredients. Sugar-laden and without any actual real marshmallow root, leave the store marshmallows at the store and treat yourself with these fluffy homemade herbal delights!
Homemade marshmallows have herbal benefits, ingredients that are whole and trusted, and best of all – are approved by you.
They can be cut to the size you desire, and still bring you the ooey, gooey, fluffy, puffy texture you have come to expect in a marshmallow. Plus, they’re simple to make!
The Benefits of a Marshmallow….Root
FAQ
Do jet-puffed marshmallows have marshmallow root?
It might surprise you, but marshmallows do not have marshmallow root in them. However, they used to — it’s been replaced thanks to modern food science.
When did marshmallows stop being made with marshmallow root?
Comments Section Extracting mallow is a time consuming process. In the 1880s, gelatine and egg whites replaced mallow as something even a small scale confectioner could do. Eventually, starch technology allowed marshmallows to be made on a large scale.
Who should avoid marshmallow root?
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn’t enough reliable information to know if marshmallow is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts. Bleeding disorders: Taking marshmallow might increase your risk of bleeding.
Can humans eat marshmallow root?
Of all the Mallows, Marshmallow was the most highly respected species and the one most commonly used for medicinal purposes. The whole herb including roots, leaves, flowers and seeds are useful and edible and in previous times were regularly eaten as vegetables.