August 10th is National S’mores Day!

We Want S’more!

Any Girl Scout worth her salt will tell you that one of her favorite food memories of her scouting days was making S’mores over a summer campfire.  Classically simple, today is the day to celebrate this summer food memory!
If you haven’t been introduced to s’mores, they are a sandwich of toasted marshmallows and a piece of chocolate between two graham crackers.  While the origin of the treat is not known, the first recipe for s’mores was published in 1927 in the Girl Scout Handbook.  The name of the treat comes from the two words “some more,” clearly combined because people often wanted to have at least a second serving after having one s’more.

So how about a little history of these yummy ingredients?

Chocolate Bars

While we’ve covered the history of the chocolate bar in our post,
http://www.chocolateguru.net/chocolate-forms/who-wants-a-chocolate-bar/it might be fun to have a quick history lesson on the other ingredients of this perfectly balanced, delicious indulgence.

Marshmallows

Marshmallows are over 4,000 years old.  Egyptians discovered they could squeeze a mallow plant and create the first treat (if you were a god or royalty!).  The French are credited with modern marshmallows when they whipped the mallow plant extract with egg whites and sugar.  But they were not used as treats, they were used to treat sore throats, coughs and to heal minor cuts and burns.  When they became popular, the mallow plant was no longer used as an ingredient.

Graham Crackers
Sylvester Graham created the cookie in 1829 as part of a vegetarian diet as a high fiber, slightly sweet cracker made with whole, unrefined wheat flour. He was a vocal opponent of red meat, tobacco and alcohol and as a result was not one of the favorite food developers.  Sad, since graham crackers are such a wonderful holder for melty chocolate and squishy toasted marshmallows.
But you know the best part of the s’more is not its history, but it’s taste. Courtesy of the 1927 Girl Scout Handbook, here is the ‘original’ s’mores recipe.