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 A resounding “Bravo!” went out to the marshmallows from Gateau et Ganache of Palo Alto, California. Above, their Blackberry marshmallow. Photography by Dhanraj Emanuel.
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Product Reviews / Main Nibbles / CandyMarshmallow Madness ~ Part IIThe Best American Marshmallows
CAPSULE REPORT: In Part I of this article, we reviewed the history of the marsh mallow (yes, that’s two words), the evolution to modern marshmallows and the rise of gourmet confectioners who create elegant, refined marshmallows that have nothing to do with spongy supermarket brands. Here in Part II, we get to taste the best marshmallows in America.
You’d think this would be a dream assignment: Find the best marshmallows in America and eat them. I tasted (and I will be frank here) far too many different brands and flavors of marshmallows. There’s actually quite a lot out there, flying the banner of gourmet marshmallow. Some of it is good, some isn’t. We screened out all but the best. Introductory NotesThe research for this article was done in September. Unusually hot weather throughout the month precluded some orders—it was just too hot to ship and the boutiques did not have warm-weather packaging (ice packs and styrofoam boxes). All marshmallows were tasted by themselves; none were toasted during the tasting. Despite my having sampled so many different products, with reviews of the 24 best companies below, there are yet more companies making upscale marshmallows that we could not include in this article. We hope to do an update at a future time, and further explore products from these producers:
And there are others yet to be discovered. There are plenty of enthusiastic, committed confectioners making good-quality marshmallows. Purchasing TipsWith only one or two exceptions, these are small companies with limited production capabilities. Therefore, please order early for the holidays.
If you never knew marshmallows could transcend the pedestrian, I urge you to try as many of the companies listed below as your time and budget allow. You’ll never think of “marshmallow” the same way again. Meet The MarshmallowsI’ve divided the marshmallows into two textural categories: tender and delicate or chewier. Nothing listed below was unpleasantly chewy or, conversely, mushy, but it’s up to you to decide which type you prefer. Artisan Candies. This company didn’t make it into the formal tasting because the products didn’t arrive on schedule. Thus, while they normally would not be Artisan Marshmallows. Due to unseasonably hot weather, I was only able to try the plain, Vanilla marshmallows, which contain almond flavoring and have a rather strong almond taste. For the most part, however, Artisan Marshmallows specializes in fancier examples of this art. Varieties range from Raspberry Almond (the Vanilla marshmallow Bauer’s Candy Modjeskas. About 1-1/2 inches long by 1-1/4 inches wide by 3/4 inch tall, these are soft caramel “pillows” with a marshmallow center. They’re very sweet. These are chewy, as you might expect, but not excessively so. Cocoa Dolce Artisan Chocolates Chocolate-Covered Marshmallows. Will Beth Tully and her kitchen elves please produce something slightly imperfect just once, as vague assurance that they’re human? About 1-1/4 inches by 1-1/4 inches by 1 inch tall, these are vanilla bean marshmallows covered in moderately dark chocolate, with some white chocolate striping for decoration. This marshmallow is a cross between sophisticated and playful, with the quality flavors of both chocolate and marshmallow shining through. Tender and delicate. As of this writing, the marshmallows are not yet listed on the website, so you must call to order. A favorite. Chris’ Classic Confections Marshmallows. Currently available: Chocolate Chip, Double Chocolate, Fresh Strawberry, Lemon, Pumpkin Pie and Vanilla. All of the marshmallows here except the Double Chocolate are about 1-3/4 inches by 1-1/4 inches by about 1 inch; the Double Chocolate is slightly smaller. The Vanilla has a good vanilla taste. The Double Chocolate is of a light-to-medium chocolate-colored interior, with ground chocolate on the outside and a very pleasant, moderate chocolate impact. The Fresh Strawberry, of a very pale pink and with a few seeds, has a delicate strawberry taste. I like the Chocolate Chip, which seems to be more of a marbled chocolate, although you do find occasional small, flat chocolate bits in the marshmallow. Like the Strawberry, it is quite sweet; there is a mild chocolate flavor, except when you bite into one of those chocolate bits, which bumps up the chocolate impact. The sweet taste strikes first in the Pumpkin Pie, but you’ll notice a pumpkin flavor, too, followed by a burst of sweet spices. The Lemon marshmallow is incredible! You can see the zest in the piece, which is quite tart and very lemony. A tender and delicate style of marshmallow. There’s an incomplete listing of marshmallow flavors on the website, and as of this writing you must call to order them. Be sure to ask Chris which flavors are currently available. The Lemon are a favorite. Dana & Co. There are six flavors, five of which are named after colors; the sixth sounds like the proprietor thinks that there is no good chocolate made in America, and that calling something “European” is a more appealing to customers. Trust us, there is plenty of bad chocolate (meaning couverture chocolate) made in Europe, and some great stuff made in the U.S.A.—just see our Chocolate Section. Of the flavors—European Chocolate, Lemon Yellow, Orange, Peppermint Red, Spearmint Green and Original White—we tasted Lemon and Spearmint. These are small oblongs, about 1 inch long by 3/4 inch wide by 1 inch tall, one-bite sized. The Lemon has a pale exterior color from its sugar/cornstarch dusting, but the interior is a cheerful yellow. It is still sweet, but the lemon extract provides a good flavor and mutes the sweetness slightly. The Spearmint marshmallow also has a paler exterior, with an inside hue of almost a spring green. The refreshing spearmint flavor is a change from the peppermint offered by many other sellers (though this company also has a Peppermint). A chewier style of marshmallow. NOTE: To find these on the website, click on “Cookies, Brownies, Cupcakes & More” and scroll down to “Handcrafted Marshmallows.” DeBrand Fine Chocolates. We tried the Berry and Cinnamon flavors; Cocoa and Dolcezza, Etc. Marshmallows. There are 16 flavors in additional to seasonal specialties. The eight basic flavors include Chocolate, Cinnamon Bun, Lemonade, Gateau et Ganache. We tasted Blackberry and Chocolate marshmallows; for the fall season, Ladybug Chocolates. This company does marshmallow bars (actually squares), enrobing them in dark or milk chocolate. We tasted Dark Chocolate Marshmallow Bars and Dark Chocolate Marshmallow Caramel Bars; there is also Rocky Road with peanut Laura’s Candy Marshmallows. Here is a culinary wonder indeed, for Laura’s makes marshmallows that are less sweet than others I’ve tried. They do have some sweetness to them, but Laura tells me she concentrates on letting the flavors come Manna Mallows. These are larger marshmallows, about 2 inches square by 1-1/2 inches tall. The line includes Caramallow, ChocoLot, Classic Vanilla, Mocha Madness My Flour Garden Bakery. Most of the 13 flavors here sound very tempting—wonderful creativity in flavors—and the two flavors we tried did deliver. There are the Classics: Chocolate Haven, Strawberry and Vanilla Peppermint. There are the Pete’s Gourmet Confections. Assorted “Originals,” undipped marshmallows, are made in Espresso, Lemon, Strawberry and Vanilla; there are also chocolate-dipped and dipped-and-garnished with coconut. Vanilla Mini-Dips (mini-marshmallows) are available plain or chocolate coated. There’s also a Matzos Spectacular (available year-round)—matzos topped with vanilla marshmallow and caramel and dipped in our 54% semisweet chocolate. The regular marshmallow cubes are about 1-3/8 inches square by 3/4 inch tall. Without question, my pick here is the Espresso marshmallow. Although not especially dark in color, it packs a good hit of coffee flavor. The Strawberry, pink inside and outside, had some strawberry flavor; the pale yellow Lemon had a good amount of lemony taste. From my point of view, the Vanilla is somewhat lacking in vanilla flavor. A tender and delicate style. Pete’s is in the process of being certified kosher. The Espresso is a favorite. Pistacia Vera. This dessert boutique makes only one flavor of marshmallow, which tastes like orange blossom. The 4-1/2 inch square block of marshmallow, not much more than 1/2 inch tall, is cut into four smaller squares, but that doesn’t matter, as you’ll have to cut the block again once you receive it (this is best done with kitchen shears). The marshmallow does not have a standard spongy consistency; its’s only slightly fluffy. Chiefly, it’s very sticky and gooey, much more like a nougat, or a barely solidified form of marshmallow creme. The reason? Pistacia Vera uses orange blossom honey in the recipe, and, unless I’m mistaken, a good deal of it. The marshmallow has a strong honey flavor and is very, very sweet—intriguingly different from most others in this tasting. At present, you must call to order. Halfway between delicate and chewier styles. Offered seasonally only. Plush Puffs. This magazine has previously reviewed Plush Puffs, but it was my first experience. The marshmallows are made in Caramel Swirl, Chocolate Chipetta, Key Lime Sublime, Kona Coffee Crunch, Maple Pecan, Peppi-Mint, RazzVeryBerry, Sydney’s Cinnamon, Toasted Coconut and Vanilla Bean. Seasonally, there is Pumpkin Spice. I tried two of the flavors, Chocolate Chipetta and Toasted Coconut. The cubes are approximately 1-1/4 inches by 1 inch by 1 inch. Mini chips scattered atop the Chocolate Chipetta marshmallow (shown in photo) provide Schwartz Out Of This World Chocolates. Old-fashioned, red-and-white checkered boxes open to reveal eight different flavors—at least if you order The Original Eight
Split Bean Coffee. This company sells marshmallows under the Dulces del Rocio †EDITOR’S NOTE: In general, food is considered all natural if it is made without chemical preservatives, artificial flavors and colorings. Gelatin and corn syrup are both naturally-derived products, not chemically processed. Tuccelli. This company makes dipped and undipped versions in Chocolate, Mocha, Orange, Raspberry and Vanilla. We tried Undipped Chocolate, Undipped Vanilla and
Made without animal products, these are perfect for vegans and strict vegetarians. Instead of gelatin, manufacturers use a vegetable gel like agar agar derived from red algae or seaweed. (Gelatin is a protein that is extracted from the collagen inside the bones and connective tissues of animals such as cattle, horses and pigs).
Vegan Sweets Marshmallows. These are smallish cylinders (about 3/4 of an inch in diameter and of a similar width), with a yellowish cast. The exterior seems tough, but the interior is almost as tender as that of most non-vegan marshmallows, though slightly gritty. The basic marshmallow has a strong vanilla aroma, but offers nothing special in flavor. The company also makes dark chocolate-covered marshmallows. A chewier style. Storing MarshmallowsWhile these delicious marshmallows may disappear quickly, if you find yourself with quite a cache, as we did, you can do a few things to extend the shelf life; otherwise they will become hard and stale. In addition, with gourmet marshmallows, depending on the recipe and special flavorings, the sugar can start to recrystallize. As with bloom in chocolate, if this happens, the marshmallows are still perfectly edible; their texture just will not be as delicate and smooth. Keep marshmallows in a sealed, airtight container or bag with most of the air pressed out. Don’t refrigerate! They will keep for weeks, even longer. If your marshmallows harden, here are some options:
But more important, share them with friends and family before they have a chance to go stale. Introduce others to the joy of a great artisan marshmallow. Sources and Acknowledgements
© Copyright 2005- 2008 Lifestyle Direct, Inc. All rights reserved. Images are the copyright of their respective owners.
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Chocolate-covered and chocolate-coconut-covered marshmallows are the order of the day at 
topped with raspberry jam, half-dipped in chocolate, then garnished with an almond slice) to Pineapple Coconut (the Vanilla marshmallow with a layer of pineapple/apricot jam, half-dipped in chocolate, and topped with toasted coconut)—sold in an assorted gift box. They also enrobe vanilla marshmallows in dark chocolate and embellish them with cocoa butter transfer designs—elegant enough for wedding favors. The marshmallows are about 1-1/2 inches square and a little more than 1 inch tall. This is a chewier style of marshmallow. As of this writing, Artisan Marshmallows ships seasonally only, and you must call to order (no online sales, but you can see the products on the website). 
Vanilla are also available. These are small cubes, approximately 1-1/8 inches on each side. With Cinnamon—a vanilla marshmallow with a cinnamon exterior—you can smell the spice as soon as the package is opened. The cinnamon impact was somewhat too pronounced for me and other NIBBLE staff members, but a number of friends pronounced these to be “just right.” The Berry marshmallow is a very stylish purple-pink shade (photo at right). It contains berry juice concentrate, which not only gives it a pretty color, but provides a nice berry aroma. The berry concentrate even adds a much-appreciated element of tartness and berry flavor, toning down the sweetness of the marshmallow. A tender and delicate style. The Berry is a favorite.
Peppermint, Strawberry, Toasted Marshmallow, Tutti Frutti and Vanilla. There’s also a “Happy Hour” series with flavors like Margarita, Sambuca and Piña Colada, made with real liqueurs. We tried Cinnamon Bun, Cranberry (seasonal), Crème de Menthe, Kahlua and Toasted Marshmallow. While all varieties are offered in 1 inch cubes, a few are available in larger, 1-1/2 inch cubes. The Kahlua is fabulous (shown in the photo at right), a pale beige color with a definite taste of coffee liqueur. The pale pink Cranberry has an element of berry tartness and is very good, though I’m not sure I could specify they were cranberry-flavored if I hadn’t seen the package. I loved the Crème de Menthe, a pale green with a little chocolate swirl, predominantly mint with just a tiny hint of chocolate. To me, the Cinnamon Bun is the least successful of the flavors I tried. The marshmallows, very good by themselves, are rolled in a cinnamon-sugar mixture that contains a jarring note of salt (people who like salted chocolate and other sweet-salty combinations may enjoy it). The Toasted Marshmallow flavor is a very pale beige, almost an off-white shade, with a very light caramel taste. The style is tender and delicate. Kahlua is a favorite.
the Blackberry have been replaced by Pumpkin. The Blackberry (shown in the photo at right) are roughly 1-1/2 inches by 1-3/8 inches by 1-1/8 inches in height. With their pretty pink-purple color, it was fun for friends to try to guess what these marshmallows would taste like. Nobody guessed they were blackberry, but everyone was able to discern a definite berry flavor. The Chocolate, which are just slightly smaller, are dipped halfway into dark chocolate. Their moderately chocolate-colored interior has a pleasant chocolate taste, with a nice extra note of chocolate flavor from that thin, dark chocolate half-covering. Tender and delicate style. The Chocolate are a favorite. Our editor, who did not get to taste any of them (sorry!) was nevertheless crazy about the Blackberry. 
butter and butterscotch. I really liked the chocolate coating on both marshmallow bars; the couverture, a blend of 
through in these treats, rather than just a sugary taste. We tried Vanilla, Peppermint, Double Mocha Latte (shown in the photo at right) and Chocolate Raspberry, cubes about 1-1/3 inches square by 1 inch in height. The Vanilla have a lovely taste of vanilla—it’s certainly noticeable, but it doesn’t knock you down. The Peppermint are simply gorgeous, with deep pink, festive swirls in their top surfaces. You’ll get a strong mint aroma even before the package is opened, and a very strong (but not unpleasant) peppermint flavor. The Mocha (referred to as “Double Mocha Latte” on the website, but simply “Mocha” on the package), contain specks of ground coffee, but you’ll smell the coffee even before you bite through the cocoa exterior. These marshmallows have a very fine coffee flavor, though not much in the way of a chocolate taste. The Chocolate Raspberry marshmallow, made with real raspberries, is excellent, with a beautiful color, tart berry flavor and raspberry seeds. However, the cocoa exterior doesn’t provide sufficient chocolate flavor for me, and it tastes rather flat. Tender and delicate in style. The Peppermint is a favorite.
Marshmallows and Strawberry Cream, with seasonal specialties. We tried Mocha Madness (shown in the photo) and Caramallow. Mocha Madness has a good-looking topping of ground espresso and dark chocolate (you can smell the espresso when you open the bag). The marshmallows themselves are of a definite mocha color. The flavor is modest in strength, although you do get both chocolate and coffee tastes. The Caramallow has a good caramel flavor. It is very messy—in a good way, with caramel sauce drizzled atop as well as more incorporated into the marshmallow base. They also have a slight, periodic crunch from what the company describes as their “caramel dust.” When you melt sugar to caramelize it, a normal first step in making caramel sauce, the melting sugar crystals can clump together in small, uncaramelized lumps. These lumps were what I found within the body of the marshmallow itself; they provided the crunch, which is a nice textural contrast. A tender and delicate style. Seasonal shipping only. 
Creatives: Crazy Citrus, Cocoa-Nut Explosion, Mocha Chipster (shown in the photo), Rocky Road and Trail Mix Madness. There are the Exotics: Banana Nutz, Just Matcha, Mango Tango, Matcha Bean, Pandan-tastic and Taro-iffic. And there is the seasonal, Pumpkin Spice. Not to cut down on the decision making, there are three sizes of marshmallow. The Regular size is about 2-1/2 inches by 2 inches by 2 inches tall, Extra Tall has an added inch in height, and Jumbo is roughly 5 inches square, but I’m not sure of the height. The Mango Tango is a very pale yellow with yellow ripples throughout, courtesy of the real mango purée used. It’s quite sweet, as you’d expect, but there’s a definite mango presence and taste—just lovely. Then, there are the Mocha Chipsters: a medium brown exterior with a beige interior. For my taste, the chocolate chips, though a nice touch, rather overwhelm the delicate espresso flavor (it’s possible to order them without the chips if you want a plain mocha marshmallow); but they were a hit with other tasters. A tender and delicate style of marshmallow. Chocolate-dipped marshmallows are not shipped during summer or periods of extreme heat. As of this writing, you must call or e-mail your order. To find the marshmallows online requires guidance. After you “Enter Site,” click on “Shop My Online Bakery,” then on the photo of the marshmallow that says “To order, click here,” even though it looks like that link is to order the particular flavor featured. The Mango Tango is a favorite—elegant enough to be serve for dessert. 
a nice garnish. This is a light chocolate marshmallow with a darker exterior. The cocoa powder it is rolled in is a little less messy than others of this style. I got an odd, saltyish taste from these marshmallows (not found by the original NIBBLE taste team), though they’re of a good texture. These are very attractive marshmallows: The Toasted Coconut marshmallow also looks lovely, with thick shreds of toasted coconut atop. It has a very mild coconut flavor that seems to tone down the sweetness a bit. Although Plush Puffs describes these as “minis,” there don’t seem to be other sizes available. Halfway between delicate and chewier style. Read the full review of 
Assortment, as I did. Flavors include Banana, Chocolate, Coffee, Maple, Mint, Strawberry, Vanilla and Vanilla Caramel Bottom (yes, a thick layer of caramel under the marshmallow, as shown in the photo). There’s a flavor guide provided, fortunately, since all of these marshmallows are dipped in chocolate and look the same but for the type of identifying squiggle. The cubes are roughly 1-1/4 inches square and 1 inch tall, with a thin chocolate coating on the bottom, and thicker chocolate on the tops and sides. Most of these marshmallows are too aggressively colored and/or flavored for me, but I very much enjoyed the Crunchmallow, which has a chocolate-dipped square of English toffee as a base for a chocolate-covered marshmallow. With the crunch of the toffee, the soft marshmallow square and chocolate covering all surfaces, it’s a great combination of textures and flavors. Halfway between delicate and chewier in style. At present, you must call to order. 
Sophia’s Sweets
label. Current flavors include Coconut, Banana, Mint, Pumpkin-Spice and Vanilla. The marshmallows are about 2 inches by 1-1/4 inches by 1 inch tall. I’m as impressed by Split Bean’s judicious use of flavorings and colorings (neither is employed to excess) as I am by their honesty. Roger, with whom I spoke, told me that he doesn’t consider their marshmallows to be “all natural,” as they use corn syrup and gelatin. That’s just not something you hear a candy maker say every day!† I especially like the Coconut, a sentiment echoed by by NIBBLE colleagues who tasted them. They are a pale yellow-green and coated with fine, thin shreds of coconut. Also notable is the Mint, of a pretty, pale green and with just the right quantity of mint flavor. Because I’m not a huge fan of pumpkin, I never thought I’d enjoy a Pumpkin-Spice marshmallow, but the element of autumn spices really adds an unexpected and fun touch. Chewier style. Shown in the photo are Pumpkin-Spice and Mint.
Dipped Mocha Marshmallows. The Undipped Vanilla and Chocolate varieties are roughly 1-3/8 inches square by 1 inch tall; the Dipped Mocha Marshmallows are about 1-1/2 inches square by 1-1/8 inches tall. The Undipped Vanilla is my favorite, featuring a very strong vanilla flavor that would be just the thing melted onto the top of a warm brownie with fudge sauce, for instance. (See 
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