What is marshmallow and what is it made from?
Marshmallow is a favorite sweet for many. And initially at home it was prepared a little differently than it is now. The closest relative is marshmallow. It was the beginning of the delicacy and was made from sugar and applesauce. Later it included various kinds of additives. The classic look consists of two white or pink hemispheres glued together. The taste of a homemade classic product differs from a factory product, which is due to the large number of available nutritional supplements.
Traditionally, the composition contains water, sugar, citric acid and gelatin. Such sweetness will not cause harm and will only be beneficial in moderation. Depending on the desired taste, raspberry, apple, cherry and other purees are added to it. In production, sweetness is obtained by grinding protein with sugar and puree, adding pectin, agar-agar or gelatin. Marshmallows on agar-agar are more beneficial. The sweetness is also sold in chocolate, in which case other ingredients are added. And the calorie content will be slightly higher.
Recommended reading: Benefits of gelatin for the body
GOST standards regarding the composition of sweets
The composition of vanilla marshmallows according to GOST (No. 6441) should not include anything other than:
- sugar (powdered sugar);
- molasses;
- fruit puree;
— pectin (stabilizer);
- squirrel;
— acidity regulators (lactic acid, sodium citrate);
— Vanillin flavoring (it must be identical to natural).
The composition of white-pink marshmallows is almost the same as that of white ones (with the exception of pink dye): sugar, molasses, fruit puree, proteins, agar, citric acid (an analogue of a stabilizer), acidity regulators, natural food coloring, flavoring.
Chemical composition of marshmallow
The benefits and harms of the product depend on the chemical composition. So, marshmallows contain easily digestible sugar, from which syrup is made. This is precisely the source of energy. Proteins are included in eggs and are a storehouse of useful amino acids. When pectin or agar-agar is added, fiber appears, which protects blood vessels and normalizes digestion. When using gelatin, fats and additional proteins are added, since gelatin itself is of animal origin. But food acids stimulate the production of gastric juice and enzymes.
What are the benefits of marshmallows for the body?
The first ingredient in real marshmallows is applesauce. It contains a large amount of pectin. It is this element that has a positive effect on the entire body:
- Removes harmful substances, metals, toxins, waste, pesticides.
- Has an anti-inflammatory effect on ulcers.
- Pain relief no worse than some medications.
- It has a positive effect on cholesterol levels, bringing them back to normal.
- Improves blood circulation.
Health benefits of marshmallows:
- The iodine in this product is the daily requirement for a person and has a positive effect on the thyroid gland.
- Iron prevents anemia. Phosphorus is responsible for dental health, calcium for the skeleton.
- The benefits of marshmallows for women are undeniable, as it helps restore the condition of nails and hair.
- Cleanses the liver.
- Positively affects the condition of the joints.
Homemade marshmallows
The composition of the delicacy, prepared with your own hands, is completely natural. Having modern technology, you can easily prepare healthy marshmallows at home, strictly following the GOST recipe.
Soak 4 teaspoons of agar in 160 ml of cold water and leave. Bake 4 large apples in the oven until tender, rub them through a sieve to make a puree. In total you will need 250 g. If desired, you can add vanilla sugar to it and cool completely. Bring the agar to almost a boil over heat until it dissolves in the water. Add 490 g of sugar, bring to a boil and simmer over low heat until a thick syrup is obtained. Remove and cool slightly.
During this time, the applesauce just came up. Add 1/2 egg white to it and beat until the mixture turns white. Next, add the rest of the protein and beat until fluffy.
Add agar: pour it in carefully, in a thin stream, without stopping whisking. Quickly, using a pastry syringe, pipe the marshmallows onto the parchment.
Leave to dry for 4 hours, then mold in pairs and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Homemade marshmallows are ready!
Is it possible to have marshmallows during pregnancy and breastfeeding?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding is a period when a woman’s taste preferences change, she needs minerals and other elements for the normal development of the child. But for his health, his diet has to be limited. Nutritionists not only do not prohibit marshmallows during pregnancy, but also strongly recommend consuming them. In moderate quantities, the product will have a positive effect on the body.
Attention! This is a healthy sweet, but even it should not be abused. For the expectant mother and child, both underweight and overweight are dangerous, so you need to monitor the caloric content of your diet.
Sweets contain a lot of fructose, which helps the brain work better and a woman not experience terrible headaches. And carbohydrates can be responsible for the “joy” hormone, which helps a woman tune in to an upcoming event or overcome postpartum stress or depression. Keeping track of your weight with such sweetness is much easier than with chocolate.
Marshmallows are not prohibited during breastfeeding. But this delicacy is introduced gradually and carefully, monitoring the baby’s reaction. It is advisable to abstain from it in the first two months. Pediatricians recommend filling your breakfast with marshmallows. Optimally - 3 pieces per week, after an allergy to this product has been ruled out. Sweet milk can not only negatively affect the baby’s digestive system, but also make him thirsty.
Don't forget about choosing a treat. Marshmallows with the least amount of additives will bring benefits. This is what an ordinary white dessert can boast of. It does not contain dyes or other additives that will harm the baby. Chocolate, nuts, coconut shavings are also undesirable when breastfeeding.
How to choose and store marshmallows?
When buying marshmallows in a store, pay attention to the following characteristics
:
- If possible, you need to press a little on the marshmallow and see if the surface quickly returns to its place, then the product is most likely fresh.
- The powdered sugar with which the marshmallows are sprinkled should not be sticky, and the pattern should not be smeared.
- If frozen dairy products, soda or even vinegar were used in production, the color will be grayish.
- Too bright a color indicates the use of a large number of dyes, perhaps for the purpose of masking some defects. Real marshmallows are snow-white.
- Improperly prepared marshmallows will have a stringy consistency. This product is inconvenient to eat.
Natural marshmallows will have a delicate taste with a fruity tint.
For proper storage
For marshmallows, it is better to choose a cool place without access to light, if it is not unpacked. This way it can last up to 1.5 months.
If you have already opened its packaging, then it is better to transfer the product to a vacuum container, otherwise it will become airy and begin to dry out.
If you keep marshmallows in a warm place, they will melt and lose their shape.
The benefits of marshmallows for children
Many parents monitor the portions of sweets their child consumes. Worry is caused by the condition of the teeth. But marshmallows are not only harmless, but also healthy for children. Nutritionists strongly recommend consuming it as a snack. Especially in the first half of the day.
Marshmallows will give your child a big boost of energy and improve brain activity. Therefore, it is especially useful for schoolchildren. However, with great mental activity, carbohydrates quickly “evaporate”; it would be right to give the child a treat with him. Such a snack will be beneficial not only before a test, but also after physical exercise, as it perfectly restores strength and satisfies the feeling of hunger.
Agar-agar removes toxins well and is responsible for normal liver function. And pectin improves immunity, which is necessary for the body during the period of its growth and formation. During active development, it has a good effect on the condition of bone tissue, joints, and teeth.
The benefits and harms of marshmallows for weight loss
The word “diet” itself takes away the joy of life and causes stress. And restriction in diet negatively affects the state of the nervous system. Glucose is considered the best source of joy. And it is the consumption of marshmallows that will give a positive charge, at least for a short time. But what about the diet? And nutritionists do not prohibit marshmallows; unlike cookies, this delicacy will not harm your figure. If only you know when to stop. Although the harm and benefits of marshmallows for the figure is a well-known topic of debate.
Marshmallows can strengthen hair, nails, immunity, and support the body during periods of food restrictions.
Attention! Nutritionists give preference to sweets prepared independently. They contain more benefits and fewer harmful additives.
When dieting, marshmallows are consumed moderately between 5-6 pm. It is advisable to choose a regular white delicacy, since the benefits of marshmallows in chocolate are less.
Is it possible to have marshmallows if you have diabetes?
People with diabetes have a hard time finding desserts that they can consume. Fortunately, it is not so difficult to find special products for patients with “sugar disease” on store shelves. They do not contain sugar or contain substitutes. You can't eat regular sweets. Marmalade, marshmallows and marshmallows raise blood sugar levels. But special desserts that are allowed contain fructose or xylitol. Marshmallows containing fructose will only bring benefits. For type 2 diabetes, even such treats should be consumed in moderation to avoid obesity.
Composition, calorie content and nutritional value of marshmallows
Marshmallows are really useful.
This sweetness is recommended by the Institute of Nutrition of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, because it:
- promotes mental activity;
- strengthens hair, nails, joints;
- provides energy because it is rich in carbohydrates;
- helps digestion;
- Suitable for dieting.
From 100 g of treat, the body receives 326 kcal, 0.8 g of protein, 0.1 g of fat, 79.8 g of carbohydrates. The glycemic index is 65, that is, its level is average, moderate.
Composition of marshmallows, if prepared correctly:
- fruit or berry puree;
- sugar;
- egg white;
- thickener.
Although, against the backdrop of increased interest in healthy eating, a sugar-free and gluten-free option has already appeared.
By the way, some people think that marshmallows are the same marshmallows, only under a foreign name. This is not entirely true. Of course, they are similar, but marshmallows do not contain eggs and are lighter and airier.
How to make marshmallows at home
Do-it-yourself marshmallows made at home will bring more benefits to the body. It contains no additional additives. You can control the quality of the ingredients yourself.
What you will need:
- 250 grams of apple puree.
- 450 grams of sugar.
- 9 grams of agar-agar.
- 150 milliliters of water.
- 1 protein.
The puree is boiled to such a density that it does not flow out of the spoon. You can bake fresh apples, then cut them to let the juice flow out. The seeds and the entire core of the fruit are removed and then rubbed through a sieve.
Attention! You can evaporate the puree in a frying pan. This way things will go faster.
Agar-agar is poured with water and left for 10 minutes, then sugar is poured in and brought to a boil over heat. After boiling begins, reduce the heat and leave the syrup for another 5 minutes. When ready, it drips off the spoon like honey.
Next, beat the cooled puree with the egg white; it is better to do this with a mixer. Dense foam should remain in it when the bowl is inverted. While stirring slowly, syrup is added to the mixture. Then everything is stirred until it cools. When the temperature is approximately +40 0C, you can fill the pastry bags.
Place the mixture in small circles on baking paper, as convenient. The dessert is left to harden overnight. It comes off easily in the morning. If desired, you can sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Preparation technology for the most popular marshmallow product
What are marshmallows made from? The first stage of preparing the recipe mixture is very important. The taste and consistency of the dessert depends on it. First, to make the syrup, sugar, molasses and agar are placed in the digester. The last component is a gelling agent (an analogue of pectin), which will help the marshmallows keep their shape. The agar is dissolved in water, wait until it swells, then molasses and granulated sugar are added. The ratio of dry substances that were added at the beginning to their amount in the finished product is 85% of 100%.
The second step is to create the fruit puree. The mixture is loaded into a special whipping machine and 50% of the required amount of egg white is added. The marshmallow mass is beaten for 10 minutes, and then, without stopping the mechanism, the remaining protein is added. To saturate the product with oxygen and ensure good evaporation of water, the lid of the machine is not closed.
What are marshmallows made from? In addition to puree, agar and sugar syrup, it contains additional components (food coloring, nuts). They are placed into the mass 10-15 minutes after whipping, then the prepared sugar syrup is added. To ensure that all the substances are well mixed, the churning machine runs for another 4 minutes.
