Marshmallows are very popular in the United States with nearly 100 million pounds purchased annually. Each year, we celebrate the marshmallow with National Toasted Marshmallow Day on August 30th.
The history of marshmallow dates back to ancient Egypt when the pharaohs found that by squeezing the mallow plant, a sweet extract emerged. They flavored honey with the extract and it become a luscious delicacy reserved only for royalty. Over the years, marshmallow went through a lot of processing changes and in 1920’s became popularized as a delicious campfire treat.
Roasted on a stick over an open fire, marshmallows become gooey and delicious. The heating creates a carmelized outside with a melted layer underneath. These warm, sticky treats are extremely popular with campers across the U.S. and around the world. Today, you can rarely find a campground that doesn’t have someone toasting marshmallows.
A single roasted marshmallow and Hershey chocolate bars sandwiched between two graham crackers form what we call a S’more.The first official S’more recipe was published by the Girls Scouts of America in 1927 – “Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts.”
In the 1950’s, the process of infusing air into marshmallows was developed. This jet-puffed process gives marshmallows the light fluffy texture that we know today. On August 30th, celebrate National Toasted Marshmallow Day by taking a camping trip with family or friends and roasting marshmallows.
- Marshmallows – Get info on jet-puffed marshmallows from Kraft
- Camping Resources – Camping organizations and equipment
- Campgrounds – Locate a campground in your area
- Camping Blogs – Read blogs about camping tips and experiences
