Marshmallows Summer's Fun Treat!

The warm weather is here and with it come marshmallows. They are a fun and great treat, along with being low calorie! Best of all they bring back childhood memories of toasted ones over the campfire or grill! There's nothing like starting an outdoor sleep over or ending an outdoor barbecue with them.

Marshmallows have been around since ancient Egypt. originally used for medicinal purposes The swamp plant, the mallow (hence its' name) was sweetened and added to a honey and nut mix. French confectioners took marshmallow making to a high art during the 19th Century. Individual candy makers took the mallow sap and whipped it with egg whites and rose water for taste. Nowadays the mallow plant is never used in the candy's manufacturing. Instead it's a mix of corn syrup dextrose, gelatin and hot water. Sometimes egg whites are used in artisanal marshmallows. Marshmallow manufacturers like Jet Puffed and Campfire are producing two sizes of the puffs. The average marshmallow is only twenty-five calories

Groceries are selling the candy in full force right now, thanks to the season. There's nothing like two or three charred or toasted puffs to end a barbecue. You can even make them indoors by just toasting them over a burner put on low heat. How you make them is up to you. Most people love a browned, almost crunchy exterior with a hot and gooey middle. This kind is perfect for that summer time treat s'mores. The mallow's heat melts the chocolate to almost a liquid consistency and it almost rebakes the graham cracker. If you want you can buy the super large ones for a really decadent dessert

This is the season for toasted marshmallows and s'mores. Treat yourself and your kids to these time honored treats with a big bag of marshmallows. Then get out those sticks and start toasting!