This content has been automatically translated from Ukrainian.
Today I want to share with you a story that takes us back to ancient times, when sweets were something magical and special. It will be about the favorite delicacy of many - marshmallows. But not just marshmallows, but what is called "marshmallow" in the West. How did it happen that these soft, delicate delicacies got their name? Let's figure it out together.
Imagine that we are transported to ancient Egypt. It is there, about 2,000 years ago, that our history begins. In those days, a special type of plant grew on the banks of the Nile - althaea officinalis. This plant was sacred to the Egyptians and had many useful properties. Its root was used to treat various diseases, as well as to prepare sweets, which were considered a gift to the gods.
Althea root was a key ingredient in the creation of the original "zephyr". It contained natural gluten that helped create something like modern jelly. Egyptian priests mixed althea root juice with honey and other ingredients, obtaining a delicate, sweet mass that was consumed on holidays.
But how did marshmallows from Egypt get to our tables? Centuries have passed, and the secret of making these delicacies has spread all over the world. In medieval Europe, medicinal altea was also used to make medicinal pastilles and sweets. However, as the culinary art developed, the recipes changed, and the marshmallow began to take on a modern look.
In the 19th century, in France, egg whites and sugar began to be used instead of althea root, which made it possible to create lighter and more airy delicacies. During this period, French confectioners began to experiment with the shape and taste of marshmallows, creating various variations.
And now the most interesting thing - where did the name "marshmallow" come from? Everything is simple here. The English word "marshmallow" literally translates as "swamp mallow". Altei medicinal grew in marshy areas (marsh), and "mallow" comes from the Latin name of the plant. Thus, the name marshmallow "marshmallow" is directly related to the plant from which it was once made.
We can now enjoy marshmallows in different variations: toasted over the fire during camping, added to hot chocolate or simply as a sweet treat. But every time we taste this delicacy, it is worth remembering its ancient roots and how it became a favorite sweet of many generations from a small swamp plant.
So it turns out that even ordinary things at first glance, like marshmallows, have their own unique history, which makes them even sweeter in taste.
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