Toasting marshmallows is a favorite summer activity for young and old alike. But it’s also one of those things that can lead to arguments. In this case, it’s almost always about how “cooked” a marshmallow is supposed to be!
We’ll be honest: there’s no right answer to this one! You deserve respect if you only let your marshmallow get close enough to the flame to warm it a tenth of a degree. And there’s nothing wrong with letting it catch fire and come out black as coal, either.
Barely Touched
Do you like your marshmallows to see the flame – but from a distance?
Some people don’t mind putting their marshmallows on a toasting stick but don’t like getting them too close to the fire. Sure, maybe the edge will get slightly brown. But the heat doesn’t even get a chance to penetrate the outer surface. The temperature hardly changes; it’s not much different from eating the lovely white puff right out of the bag.
Light Brown All Around
This might be the hardest level of toasting to achieve. You have to keep your marshmallow close to the flame – but not too close. You have to turn it slowly and consistently to get just the right finish.
Just under the tan surface, you’ll find a small layer of gooeyness. Further in, it will be more solid and maybe just slightly warm.
Burnt and Gooey
Finally, there are those among us who go full bore and take total advantage of that raging bonfire! They set their snack aflame by sticking the marshmallow right into the heart and letting it catch fire. The outer surface is charred, and the inside is a gooey mess. But it’s so delicious!
What It All Says About Your Personality
Hey, this isn’t a cheesy Facebook quiz. How you toast marshmallows has nothing to do with your personality type, as far as we know. And it won’t reveal your star sign. We just put this here to see how’d you react! 😀
Are There Health Risks?
You may have heard that burnt marshmallows are bad for your health. But like many things we read and hear, there’s a little more to it than that.
You may have heard that burnt marshmallows are bad for your health. But like many things we read and hear, there’s a little more to it than that.
Marshmallows are high in carbohydrates, and like other foods like this, have high levels of a chemical called acrylamide. Studies suggest that burnt acrylamide may be linked to cancer. While more research is needed to see if there is a definite connection, it’s always good to err on the safe side. However, it’s a good idea to avoid such foods in high quantities. For more information, check out this article from the University of Birmingham.
Most of us won’t be eating even such a delicious treat as toasted marshmallows in high quantities, though, so there seems to be little risk.
There are some other things to watch out for, though.
First, you’re toasting marshmallows. That means you’re heating them up. Be careful that you don’t burn yourself! The sugar and gelatin that go into this tasty treat tend to hold the heat. And that heat can be trapped inside. So take a bite carefully!
Finally, marshmallows are almost entirely sugar, and too much sugar is never good. Don’t overdo it. Be especially careful if you’re diabetic or pre-diabetic.
Conclusion
There’s space around the bonfire or firepit for everyone, no matter how you toast your marshmallows! The most important point is to enjoy this simple but amazing culinary delight. Don’t overdo it, but don’t neglect this great tradition, either!
