It's finally summer, and a young graduate student's thoughts turn to marshmallows. This magical food used to be made by the ancient Egyptians from the marshmallow plant (Althaea officinalis). Today the only uses of the marshmallow plant are to sooth inflammatory conditions of the skin and throat, and to alleviate Irritable Bowel Syndrome (also known as mucus colitis, spastic colon and nervous indigestion). Marshmallow today is made of sugar.

The most fascinating of all marshmallow products is the one that comes in a jar - Marshmallow Fluff. Its history is even more tasty than a grilled Fluff sandwich. In the early part of this century, Archibald Query of Somerville made Fluff in his kitchen and sold it door to door. However, the sugar shortages of World War I forced the poor children of Somerville to go Fluff-less. After the war, Archibald Query sold the secret formula to H. Allen Durkee and Fred L. Mower for $500.

These two enterprising young confectioners named their product "Toot Sweet Marshmallow Fluff" and in 1920 made their first sale of three gallons of Fluff to a vacation lodge in New Hampshire (at a dollar a gallon). Their company took off and today provides Fluff to 18 countries world wide.

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7th floor playroom June 13, 1997 5:30 pm