10 things about... marshmallows

You can also see: 10 things about...ice cream, easter eggs, pigs, turkeys, beavers, nettles, marshmallows, pumpkins.

At least 10 things you might not know (and maybe one or two made-up “facts”)

1. The ingredients list for marshmallows usually includes sugar, water, dextrose, flavourings, sometimes colourings, occasionally eggs and unfortunately gelatine. Thankfully it is also possible to find vegetarian and vegan versions without the gelatine.
   
   
2. The original recipe is thought to have included the spongy stem of the marshmallow plant, whipped up and mixed with nuts and honey. It was 100% vegetarian.
   
   
3. The marshmallow plant can be found growing in damp, wet areas including meadows and marshes in the UK. Its pale pink flowers, usually seen in August and September, are five petalled.
   
   
4. Wouldn’t life be wonderful if your doctor prescribed veggie marshmallows for your sore throat? It is suggested that back in the good old days (and we’re talking ancient Egypt here) extracts from the roots of the marshmallow plant were used to soothe this ailment.
   
   
5. The sweet sap from the marshmallow plant has also been used as a treatment for the common cold. Next time you’re caught eating a handful of veggie marshmallows in class, just claim it’s for health reasons!
   
   
6. They have a practical use too! Astronauts repeatedly found delicate nasal membranes being damaged under the pressure of lift off and marshmallows are a cost-effective solution to this problem. After squeezing the spongy treat up the nasal passage, the cabin decompression allows the marshmallow to gently expand without causing harm to the nose, but still allowing the astronaut to breathe. We do not suggest that you try this at home.
   
   
7. Marshmallows were first experienced in Europe in the nineteenth century. French confectioners whipped the mallow sap before adding a sweetener. This was a time consuming process so some bright spark discovered that by using gelatine or egg whites the process was speeded up.
   
   
8. Marshmallows are great for toasting over a campfire as they go crispy on the outside and gooey in the middle. Simply spear the mallow with a stick and hold over the fire until it bursts into flame. Remove immediately and blow out. Leave to cool for a while as the marshmallow is now at tongue scalding temperature.
   
   
9. The Stay Puft Marshmallow man from the Ghostbusters film was a towering, obese sailor made of marshmallow. After attempting to destroy New York he is blown up, covering all bystanders in liquid goo.
   
   
10. Marshmallows are hugely popular in the United States of America. Each year almost 1 1/4 kgs are consumed for every man, woman and child!
    
    
11. So perhaps it's not that surprising that marshmallows can be found in everything from cereals to ice cream in the USA. There are even marshmallow sofas and chairs!

Did you spot the 'untruths'? Let us know which fact you think is false.

Think you can come up with something better?! Get creative and make up one of your own to replace it.

We'll give everyone who enters a "Love Us, Not Eat Us" animal window sticker and put the best online. Write to education@vegsoc.org (don't forget to include your name and address if you would like a window sticker!)

You can also see: 10 things about...ice cream, easter eggs, pigs, turkeys, beavers, nettles, marshmallows, pumpkins.