Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Campfire Mini MarshmallowsThere’s a part of me that thinks that marshmallows aren’t candy at all. It’s probably because the traditional dusty marshmallow puffs are sold in the baking ingredient aisle in big bags instead of single serving packets. But maybe I should rethink that; it appears that Campfire has. I spotted this little 1 ounce bag of Campfire Mini-Marshmallows at the CVS at the beginning of summer and thought it was a fun idea. Sure they’re far more expensive than the big bag a few aisle away. This was 50 cents for one ounce and the big one pound bag is about $2 - so maybe I’m a schmuck. (The same applies to plain chocolate bars and chocolate chips.) While the bag only holds one ounce, it looks pretty bountiful. The packaging is just a miniature version of the large bag but does mention prominently that it’s a gluten free food. It also says “naturally fat free” and while that’s natural, some of the other ingredients aren’t, like the artificial flavor and tetrasodium pyrohosphate. The mascot on the package disturbs me, though it’s hard to really say why. It’s a boy with a marshmallow head wearing a little backpack and yellow shorts. He’s waving and I guess that’s all okay. But he’s also wearing a navy blue tee with a flaming marshmallow on it. I suppose it’s like any other kid with a Metallica concert tour tee, but it’s a little skewed by the fact that we do actually consume fire roasted marshmallows more often than fire roasted human skulls. (If the research I did is true.) There’s not much else to say except that these are teensy little marshmallows that I associate more with winter than summer. They’re the perfect kind to toss into a cup of hot chocolate. For roasting over a campfire, well, they’re too small however for a microwave version of S’mores they might do well. As an easy to eat treat they’re pleasant but that’s about it. Like most grocery store marshmallows, they have a powdery starch coating. They smell sweet and a little like plain vanilla (but not very complex like a good vanilla bean). They’re squishy and a little fleshy and yield a good chewy bite. I prefer mine a little firmer, so I left the package open for a week or so until they were firm and dry. Since they’re so airy, an ounce feels like a lot and if they’re savored properly it’s a good diet candy since there’s less than a hundred calories in a bag. (With regular sized marshmallows it takes about 4 to equal one ounce.) If you need a quick marshmallow fix and a big bag of the giant ones is too much, well this is a good option. They’re probably fun to add to other snacks, like trail mix or popcorn at the movies. Marshmallows are made with gelatin so are not appropriate for vegetarians. They say they’re gluten free but no other allergen status like nuts or dairy is mentioned on the package Related Candies
POSTED BY Cybele AT 4:33 pm Candy • Marshmallow • 5-Pleasant • United States • Sav-On/CVS • |
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Meticulously photographed and documented reviews of candy from around the world. And the occasional other sweet adventures. Open your mouth, expand your mind.
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I’m not that fond of marshmallows, they’re too bland. Living in southern Arizona though, I’ve grown up on spicey sweets; I’m dying to hear a review of Mexican candy from your blog. My favorites are Tamarindo, Pelon Pelo Ricoo, Chileta Mango and especially Pica Fresa. How do you feel about chili?
Amy - I bought some Pulparindo a few weeks ago and it’s not the first time I’ve tried to do something about Mexican tamarind & chili products. But it’s just not in me. So I’m afraid I have to leave it to others.
Maybe the picture on Marshmallow-boy’s shirt is of himself, from behind, staring pensively into a campfire.
Candy Professor has a multi-part series on the history of marshmallows; he says that they were originally sold as candy until Campfire started marketing them as a baking product in order to increase sales. I’d say it worked!
Hi Cybele- I’m a long time reader but a first-time commenter. Love the blog and Twitter posts =)
In my area, these marshmallows went on sale (at the local Barnes & Noble bookstore) for 6 bags/$1 as soon as the temps rose in April this year. I bought quite a few, and made mini batches of rice krispie treats out of them.
Nice to see something so familiar reviewed on here! Moral of the story?...watch coffee shops for leftover marshmallows during hot spring weather
Happy blogging, and candy-enjoying!
there are “giant roasters” versions of this brand…i must say they certainly are giant.
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