What exactly does a marshmallow taste like anyway?

'Tis the season for Rice Krispie treats, hot cocoa with marshmallows, and sweet potatoes with a gooey, marshmallow-y topping.  But sadly for me, I've never gotten to enjoy any of those things because of the ingredients in marshmallows.  Namely, gelatin.  I think very few people realize that gelatin lurks in strange places or even know what gelatin is.  I remember getting into an argument with my middle school assistant principal over whether or not marshmallows were made out of "animals."  (Mr. Haluko, I'm still right.) Too bad those were the pre-internet days, because a quick Google search would have proved that I wasn't crazy.  At least not for that reason.

My recent vegan shopping excursions have allowed me to discover a plethora of vegan "fakes" meant to fool even the most discriminating meat eater, and Sweet & Sara's vegan marshmallows are no exception.

 

So, yeah.  I ordered more marshmallows that a person should ever probably eat from Sweet & Sara's. But can you blame me?  28+ years on this planet without getting to taste marshmallow-y goodness?  I ordered your standard vanilla marshmallow squares, marshmallow ghosts, and s'mores.  (What spurred this order was a failed attempt to buy vegan marshmallows at Whole Foods.  Surprisingly, they didn't have any!)

I honestly didn't know what to expect as I bit into a vanilla marshmallow.  I've smelled them for years and years and years, and they smell pretty good, but I didn't know what the taste would be like. 

My initial thoughts?   They taste squishy.  I didn't know it was possible for a food to taste squishy, but I honestly think I heard the marshmallow squeak on my teeth.  And that weirded me out a little bit.  The flavor was good and sugary, but not nearly as good as the non-marshmallow desserts I've been enjoying recently.  Even the s'more didn't live up to my expectations.  I generally like anything made with chocolate, but I just couldn't get past the weird texture of the marshmallow center.  

I had my meat-a-tarian boyfriend try my assorted goodies to get his thoughts.  He loves "real" marshmallows, so I wanted him to let me know if these fake could pass the test.  He affirmed that the vegan versions taste just like the real thing, so he loved them.  He even shared his s'more with his co-workers to let them see how a fake marshmallow could mimic a real one.  

 

Don't let my marshmallow apathy keep you from ordering Sweet & Sara's marshmallows.  If you're a vegetarian or vegan and like (or liked) marshmallows, you should give these vegan marshmallows a try.  Sweet & Sara just introduced a mini marshmallow line - just in time for the holidays and hot cocoa season!