Marshmallows, believe it or not, have been around for quite a while. In fact, ancient Egypt made the sugary treat thousands of years ago. According to National Today, history has also recorded people using it for treating ailments like angina, a type of chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart. To be clear, this is unorthodox and if you experience chest pain we highly recommend going to the hospital and not your pantry.
The National Toasted Marshmallow Day was created by the National Confectioners Association (NCA). Though the exact date of when marshmallows were created has been lost to history, many scholars cite ancient Egypt as somewhat of a starting point for the sweet treat. According to NT, Ancient Egyptians made marshmallows by extracting the sap from the root of a plant called ‘Althaea Officinalis.’ 
This plant is native to North Africa, Asia, and Europe, and it grows, as you may have guessed, in marshes. The marshmallow-making process was extremely tedious and laborious in nature. The special final product, mixed with honey and nuts, was served only to royalty and gods, making it off-limits to the public. Over the centuries, the marshmallow went through several changes. From being produced by French confectioners by hand in the 1800s to being produced using machines in the 1900s, marshmallows were being enjoyed by more and more people. The key ingredient, which was the root of the marshmallow plant, was also replaced with gelatin/corn starch as the latter made the process easier and faster.
Timeline Image Credit: National Today
How will you choose to celebrate National Toasted Marshmallow Day? Not sure yet? Here's what we recommend... Of course the classic, s'mores by the fireplace or campfire. Another fun option is to light a toasted marshmallow scented candle. Or if you're a coffee lover, we recommend trying the toasted marshmallow recipe from Starbucks!
