A resounding “Bravo!” went out to the marshmallows from Gateau et Ganache of Palo Alto, California. Above, their Blackberry marshmallow. Photography by Dhanraj Emanuel | THE NIBBLE.
|
STEPHANIE ZONIS is a Contributing Editor.
|
|
November 2007
Updated March 2009
|
|
Marshmallow Madness ~ Part II
Page 2: How To Purchase Gourmet Marshmallows
This is Page 2 of a 12-page review of gourmet marshmallows. Click on the black links below to visit other pages.
Purchasing Tips
With only one or two exceptions, the marshmallow confectioners reviewed here are small companies with limited production capabilities. Therefore, please order early for the holidays.
- Prices Vary. While you realize that you will pay more for these marshmallows than you would for a mass-marketed brand, prices vary widely. Some are inexpensive, others are dear. Overhead varies by location. As always, fancy packaging will increase your costs, as will shipping charges.
- Flavors Are Seasonal. Those great Lavender Honey Vanilla marshmallows from Artisan Candies aren’t available right now, but Pumpkin Spice is—and we bet it’s terrific.
- Some Colors/Flavors May Not Be All-Natural. While most artisan foods use all natural ingredients, some manufacturers may have added artificial colors and/or flavors to get the results they desire. If you’re concerned about this, simply ask before ordering.
- Vegan-Friendly. Strict vegetarians and vegans won’t eat regular marshmallows because they contain gelatin, which is animal-derived. A few companies use vegetable-derived binding agents to create marshmallows that are vegan-friendly. While these do not exactly match the flavor and texture of marshmallows made with gelatin, they can produce good products. See the separate listing at the end of this article for vegan marshmallows.
- Kosher. One brand, Pete’s Gourmet, offers regular as well as kosher-certified marshmallows. Kosher observers do not consume gelatin, either, although they do eat eggs.
- Website Photos Aren’t Great. Most of these small artisans are like your neighborhood baker (if you still have one): They don’t have the time and resources to bring in top food photographers or design professional websites. As a result, the marshmallow photos you see on their websites may not thrill you. Take it on faith: When they arrive at your doorstep, they’ll look (and taste) great.
If you never knew marshmallows could transcend the pedestrian, I urge you to try as many of the companies listed in this article as your time and budget allow. You’ll never think of “marshmallows” the same way again.
Continue To Page 3: Artisan Candies & Artisan Marshmallows
Go To The Article Index Above
|
