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Posted by on Apr 6, 2015 in TellMeWhy |

How Did Marshmallows Get Their Name?

How Did Marshmallows Get Their Name?

How Did Marshmallows Get Their Name? Marshmallows are named after a marsh plant called “marsh mallow.” Marshmallow candy looks something like the cottony seed pods of the plant.

Years ago, people dug up the long marsh mallow roots and used them for medicine. When boiled, the sweet juice in the roots became very thick and slippery.

Marsh mallow medicine was soothing to sore throats and stomach-aches and it had a pleasant taste. It wasn’t long before people began using marsh mallow roots to make a new kind of treat – marsh mallow candy. Today, candy makers make the same kind of candy without using real marsh mallow root.

It’s made from corn syrup, gelatin, egg whites, and sugar. The gelatin replaces the thick, gluey substance from the marshmallow plant. Marshmallows, like most sweets, are sweetened with sucrose. Now we know how did marshmallows get their name.

What are marshmallows good for? Marshmallow forms a protective layer on the skin and lining of the digestive tract. It also has chemicals that might decrease cough and help heal wounds by decreasing inflammation and fighting certain “bugs”. (microbes).

Who invented marshmallow? 2000 B.C. Ancient Egyptians discover a wild herb growing in marshland from which a sweet substance could be extracted. This substance, the sap of the marshmallow plant, is combined with a honey-based candy recipe to create a confection so delightful that it’s reserved only for the pharaohs and the gods.

Content for this question contributed by Jennifer Grab, resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA