How to Buy Vegan Marshmallows

Marshmallows were originally made with the gelling agent mucilate, produced from the extract of the marsh mallow plant. Mucilate is a mucusy substance that does not dissolve in water. Today, most commercially manufactured marshmallows use gelatin instead of real marsh mallow extract due to cost and availability. Gelatin (the stuff in your jiggly gelatin desserts) is derived from animal hides and bones.

Even most kosher pareve marshmallows are not suitable for vegans as they usually contain fish gelatin OR EVEN WORSE some contain gelatin derived from cows but are still labeled kosher pareve because gelatin is not technically "meat" or "dairy".

If you must have your s'mores, Sweet and Sara in Queens, New York claims to produce truly vegan marshmallows in standard vanilla as well as such nontraditional flavors as Mexican chocolate and toasted coconut. Unfortunately, I have not been successful in finding these locally in Asheville, NC.

If you are a pesco-vegetarian, your options increase substantially. Marshmallows made with fish gelatin are a perfect substitute but seem to dry out faster if not used quickly. Earth Fare grocery stores, located throughout the Southeast carries Elyon brand (made in Israel) that contain: sugar, corn syrup, water, kosher fish gelatin from Nile perch or tilapia, corn starch, and vanilla flavors. I am not sure if the sugar is processed with bone char (see post below).

Marshmallow fluff (the stuff in a jar) and other less firm marshmallow products many times do not contain gelatin but they do generally contain egg whites instead. These substitutes can be used by Ovo-vegetarians. But don't get overly excited - Have you ever tried to roast a glob of marshmallow fluff over a campfire?