/oss/taxonomy/term/5024/all en /oss/article/holiday-treat-marshmallows-and-hot-chocolate <p>Believe it or not, the tasty marshmallows we know are inspired by a plant, a perennial that grows up to about four feet high. Its root has a soft and spongy texture and looks like lung tissue, which led to its use in the treatment of lung conditions. Usually, the root was extracted with hot water, sweetened, aerated, and allowed to cool to form the spongy mass. Crystallization was inhibited because the root contains a high percentage of mucilage, carbohydrates which interfere with crystal formation. Today, some people still use marshmallow tea to soothe inflammation.</p> Thu, 10 Dec 2020 01:54:37 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 8524 at /oss