per 100 grams
Carbohydrates 81.3 g
81.3%
Proteins 1.8 g
1.8%
Fats 0.2 g
0.2%
Water 16.4 g
16.4%
Sugar 57.6 grams
Fiber 0.1 grams
Ash 0.3 grams

Marshmallow

318 Calories per 100g

Prior to the 1960s, if you asked someone about a Marshmallow, their mind would likely drift to the thought of a campfire and gooey, sticky, sugary treats. Nowadays, one of the first thoughts that comes to mind is likely the Google/Alphabet backed product called “Google Marshmallow”. In this article we’ll take a look into the history of marshmallows and explore how they went from a tasty summertime snack to a revolutionary mobile operating system.

Marshmallows have been around for centuries, the first recorded known marshmallow recipe was noted by a French philosopher named King Louis XIV in the 1700s. The recipe called for cutting and mashing the root of the soft, fluffy white marshmallow plant in order to create a sweet confection. Marshmallow root was commonly used in 19th century medical treatments and medicinal concoctions. In the 1800s, candy makers in France decided to start experimenting with marshmallow root as a base for a new, tasty dessert. Instead of mashing the root, they called for it to be boiled in sugar syrup before adding it to a mixture of beaten egg whites and cornstarch which was then whipped into a soft, creamy paste. The resulting product was a fluffy, sweet treat, which could be cut, molded and wrapped up for consumption.

The early marshmallow recipes were expensive and reserved primarily for those with money and power, particularly European royalty. As a result, marshmallows were not widely available in the United States until the late 1800s. By the 1920s, marshmallows were widely distributed in stores and cooking classes across America, making them a popular and much-loved dessert.

In 1948, a food scientist named Alex Doumak patented the extrusion process which made commercial production of marshmallows possible. Doumak's machine created the iconic, spongy confection that we recognize today. The extrusion process replaced the labor intensive mashing of the marshmallow root with the use of a vacuum sealer. This process produced a uniform product that was easier and more cost-effective to produce. As a result, marshmallows became widely available, allowing them to be incorporated into various sweet and savory dishes.

The most significant development in the history of marshmallows came in 2015 when Google announced the launch of its Android “Marshmallow” operating system. The operating system was designed to give users more control over their device's functions and to take advantage of improved battery life. Along with this improved usability came some additional features such as a microUSB-C port instead of the traditional full size USB port, a “Doze” mode for enhanced battery life and improved app permissions. Google Marshmallow also included additional APIs for developers, allowing for greater customization and integration of popular third-party applications.

Beyond its technical advances, the name Marshmallow had an additional significance. Given that the marshmallow's roots were in Ancient Egypt—as a medicinal treat—the name was meant to suggest an analogous journey. Just as marshmallows have evolved over time, Google hoped that Android Marshmallow would similarly evolve and become more useful over time.

In the five years since its release, Google Marshmallow has seen a number of updates and improvements. The launch of Android Nougat in 2016 saw further improvements to the battery life and Doze feature, providing users with an even smoother experience. In 2017, Oreo brought with it support for apps written in the Kotlin language, as well as improved graphical performance and native web apps. And in March 2018, Google officially launched Android Pie, the latest version of their popular mobile operating system.

In the modern world, the marshmallow conjures up images of both roasted summertime treats as well as a revolutionary mobile operating system. Its story symbolizes the resilience of human ingenuity, as it has evolved from its roots in Medieval medicinal treatments to the futuristic technologies available on our current mobile devices. As technology continues to advance, we can only imagine the countless applications and uses that the marshmallow may continue to bring to our lives.