This marshmallow candy infographic shares some of the origins of this classic campfire snack. Although bags of marshmallows seem like a dime a dozen now, originally the marshmallow plant was used to make candies for pharaohs and the gods of ancient Egypt. As the graphic states, now over 90 million pounds of marshmallows are purchased each year by Americans.
The puffy sugary cubes are made from a mixture of water, sugar, corn and gelatin. Although there are thousands of people that enjoy them, vegans will want to steer clear of them because of the gelatin content, which is made from animal hide and bone.
Another surprising marshmallow fact is that when they were first produced, Peeps were all squeezed out of pastry bags by hand and had each eye meticulously painted on by hand.
Shocking Sugary Cube Infographics
This Marshmallow Candy Graphic Shares Some Surprising Stats
Trend Themes
1. Vegan-friendly Marshmallow Alternatives - The demand for vegan-friendly marshmallow alternatives is growing as more consumers seek plant-based options for this classic snack.
2. Automated Production Processes - There is an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the marshmallow industry by developing automated production processes to replace the manual labor required for making treats like Peeps.
3. Alternative Ingredients Innovation - Exploring alternative ingredients to replace gelatin in marshmallows can lead to disruptive innovations in creating vegetarian or vegan-friendly versions of the sugary treat.
Industry Implications
1. Food and Beverage - The food and beverage industry can capitalize on the trend of vegan-friendly marshmallow alternatives by developing and marketing new plant-based options for consumers.
2. Manufacturing - The manufacturing industry can explore opportunities for disruptive innovation by developing automated production processes for marshmallow production, reducing labor costs and increasing efficiency.
3. Food Science and Research - The food science and research industry can focus on developing alternative ingredients to replace gelatin in marshmallows, catering to the growing demand for vegetarian and vegan options.