www.ChemistryIsLife.com - The Chemistry of Marshmallows (2024)

Marshmallows are a sugar based food containing mainly gelatin, water, and sugar that has been beaten until spongy and constructed into small cubes. I chose to study marshmallows because they are a much loved snack by all. Their odd consistency, yet sweet flavor has always made me very curious as to how they are made. I associate marshmallows with family and fun. Whether we are camping or visiting my grandma, marshmallows always seem to come into the picture. They are very much a comfort food to me, and therefore the reason I chose to research them.Composition of ...

corn syrup - HFCS
sugar - C12H22O11
dextrose - C8H12O6
corn starch - C27H48O20
water - H2O
gelatin - C15H11N2NaO2
tetrasodium pyrophosphate - Na4O7P2
artificial flavor - C8H8O3
blue 1 - C37H34N2Na2O9S3

Main Chemicals, Compounds, Components

Corn Syrup(HFCS)

Corn syrup is a thick syrup that is made from maize(corn) starch and is comprised of maltose and oligosaccharide. It is created when corn starch gets processed by the enzyme glucose isomerase so that a high majority of its glucose is transformed into fructose. Corn syrup consists of Hydrogen, Fluorine,Carbon, and Sulfur. It is 53 percent glucose, 42 percent fructose, and 5 percent of another polysaccharide. This sweetener was first marketed in the early 1970’s in Iowa by the Clinton Corn Processing Company.

Sugar(C12H22O11)

Sugar also known as sucrose is a sweet crystalline carbohydrate obtained mainly from sugarcane and sugar beets. Sugar consists of one molecule of fructose and one molecule of glucose that have been chemically bonded together. So, sucrose is 50 percent fructose and 50 percent glucose. It is a disaccharide which means that the sugars molecules consist of two monosaccharide residues. Sugar is comprised of Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen. Sugar was first discovered in England by Western Europeans in 1099.

Chemistry's Role

Corn Syrup

Chemistry plays a role in making marshmallows because an enzyme called glucose isomerase is put into corn starch which causes a large amount of the starches glucose to combine and form fructose. Corn syrup is naturally occurring but is extracted in a lab commercially by man.

Sugar

The act of extracting the sugar from the beets and canes occurs in a lab by man. Sugar is made naturally in most fruits though. Sugar is a chemical compound. The chemical formula for when sugar is made is C6H12O6+C6H12O6=>C12H22O11+H2O. Which also means glucose + fructose => sucrose + water. This formula shows how glucose and fructose attach to each other by way of a condensation reaction. Diffusion is used in this process of making sugar. Sugar is made by using sugarcane or sugar beets. You start by shredding them up and squeezing them till its natural juices have been removed. It is then boiled until thick. This is when molasses crystals begin to settle on the top of the mixture. These crystals are sent to a centrifuge that spins very fast in order to extract the molasses and leave the natural sugar. The sugar gets dried and then it is ready to eat. Sugar is found naturally in lots of unprocessed foods such as, fruits, vegetables, and milk. The sugar used in marshmallows is taken from sugar beets and sugarcane.

Additional Chemistry

FAQs

What's in marshmallows chemmatters answers? ›

A typical marshmallow contains sugar, corn syrup, and gelatin, plus some air. That's it. “A marshmallow is basically a foam that's stabilized by gelatin,” says Richard Hartel, a food engineer at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In marshmallows, the foam is made up of air suspended in a liquid sugar mixture.

Tell Me More ›

What is the chemistry behind marshmallows? ›

Marshmallows are a sugar based food that is mainly made of gelatin, sugar, and water that have been whipped till spongy, and then formed into a small cubes. A chemical reaction occurs when the collagen from gelatin comes in contact with water and hydrolysis occurs.

Learn More ›

What substance in a marshmallow makes it stretchy? ›

Gelatin is probably the most important part of a marshmallow, because it serves as the scaffolding that keeps all the sugar and flavor goodness in place and gives the marshmallow its stretchy, gooey texture.

Show Me More ›

What chemical change occurred during the marshmallow experiment? ›

When marshmallows are roasted, a chemical change happens. When you toast marshmallows, the heat causes a chemical reaction producing water molecules, which then evaporate, leaving carbon behind (the blackened part of the roasted marshmallow).

See Details ›

Is a marshmallow a solid, liquid, or gas? ›

The marshmallow is a foam, consisting of an aqueous continuous phase and a gaseous dispersed phase (in other words, a liquid with gas bubbles spread throughout). In addition to being a foam, this also makes marshmallows an "aerated" confection because it is made up of 50% air.

Get More Info ›

Can Muslims eat marshmallows? ›

Most marshmallows are not halal or kosher and don't meet the dietary restrictions of these faiths. The simple reason is that most marshmallows manufactured in the U.S or abroad are made with gelatin derived from pork. Technically, marshmallows are a confection — a candy.

Know More ›

Is marshmallow healthy? ›

Marshmallow is generally considered safe. It has no reported side effects. It appears to be safe for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, although you should check with your doctor before taking it. One study suggests marshmallow may lower blood sugar levels.

Find Out More ›

What is marshmallows' real name? ›

Chris Comstock, better known by his stage name Marshmello, was born on May 19, 1992. He is an American electronic dance music producer and DJ.

Keep Reading ›

What is the pH of a marshmallow? ›

The pH was lower at higher honey concentrations (p < 0.0001), with pH values ranging from 4.67 to 5.05 for marshmallows without honey, 3.75 to 3.8 for marshmallows with 50% honey, and 3.5 to 3.7 for marshmallows with 75% honey.

Learn More Now ›

Can dogs eat marshmallows? ›

Marshmallows, regardless of their sweetener content, are loaded with sugar, which should never be given to your pet. Even if your dog consumes marshmallows without artificial sweeteners, you should still be cautious as the high sugar levels can lead to an upset stomach, pancreatitis, and vomiting.

Find Out More ›

What is the Boyle's law of marshmallows? ›

At first the marshmallows inflate, as air trapped inside the marshmallows expands, demonstrating Boyle's law that volume increases as pressure decreases.

What does the marshmallow experiment show? ›

This is the premise of a famous study called “the marshmallow test,” conducted by Stanford University professor Walter Mischel in 1972. The experiment measured how well children could delay immediate gratification to receive greater rewards in the future—an ability that predicts success later in life.