The origin of cotton candy

Cotton candy, a soft and light-textured sweet treat, has captivated countless taste buds with its unique charm since its inception. However, there are various different accounts regarding the origin of cotton candy. This article will take you into the history of cotton candy, exploring its origins and development process.

The history of cotton candy can be traced back to ancient times. One of the earliest accounts suggests that cotton candy originated in ancient Egypt around 4000 years ago. The ancient Egyptians extracted a sticky juice from the roots of the marshmallow plant (Athaea officinalis) that grew in marshes, mixed it with honey, and created the earliest form of cotton candy. This dessert was extremely precious at the time, enjoyed only by deities and royal members. The English name for cotton candy, 'Marshmallow,' comes from the combination of its raw material plant name (Mallow) and its growing environment (Marsh).

However, the cotton candy of ancient Egypt significantly differed from modern cotton candy in terms of production techniques and texture. The ancient Egyptian version resembled a medicinal candy primarily used to relieve children's throat pain, rather than the soft and fluffy sweet treat we know today. Over time, the production techniques for cotton candy gradually evolved, but its true modern form began to take shape in the late 19th to early 20th century.

In the early 19th century, marshmallow was introduced to France, where French chefs used the mucilage from marshmallow roots, mixing it with syrup, egg whites, and vanilla seeds to whip into a fluffy sponge-like texture. After shaping and drying, this resulted in a form of cotton candy closer to what we recognize today. However, this production method was relatively complex; the finished cotton candy needed to dry in molds for one to two days before it could finally take shape, making mass production difficult.

By the end of the 19th century, the production process for cotton candy was further improved. Gelatin replaced marshmallow juice, and corn syrup was added. Gelatin, commonly known as 'gelatin,' is derived from hydrolyzed collagen extracted from animal skins and bones and is typically used as a gelling agent in food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. The addition of gelatin not only stabilized the bubbles in cotton candy but also gave it a soft and chewy texture; with a melting point around 35°C, it made cotton candy 'melt in your mouth.' The addition of corn syrup increased sugar solubility and slowed down crystallization. This new production method not only reduced costs but also made cotton candy suitable for mass production, leading to its global popularity.

In addition to Europe, the history of cotton candy in America is also quite legendary. One account suggests that modern cotton candy was invented around the 1900s by American dentist William Morris and confectioner John Wharton. They developed a mechanized process for making cotton candy based on the principle of spinning sugar and debuted it at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair under the name 'Fairy Floss.' Despite its high price of 25 cents per handful at that time, this novel sweet treat was still very popular at the fair, selling a total of 68,655 servings.

With industrialization's development, cotton candy production gradually shifted from handmade to mechanized processes. The mechanized production technique not only improved efficiency but also diversified the shapes and flavors of cotton candy. Modern cotton candy is mainly divided into traditional cotton candy and bubble cotton candy. Traditional cotton candy is made by mixing syrup, proteins, gelatin, spices, etc., which are then whipped at high temperatures to form soft and dense sugar blocks. Bubble cotton candy adds alkaline substances to traditional cotton candy to create sugar blocks with a bubbly structure for a lighter texture.

In addition to being eaten alone, cotton candy is widely used in various delicious dessert creations. For example, macarons, candies, cookies made with cotton candy are very popular. Additionally, cotton candy can be used as an ingredient in cakes, donuts, milkshakes, etc., adding layers of texture and flavor. In daily life, people can also use cotton candy to create various creative desserts such as fancy platters, rainbow macarons, chocolate cakes, etc., adding a delightful taste to life.

In summary, the origins and development history of cotton candy are filled with legendary tales. From ancient Egyptian medicinal candies to modern industrial production, cotton candy has not only retained its unique taste and texture but has also continuously innovated to satisfy people's endless imagination for sweets. Whether as an independent dessert or as an ingredient in other sweets, cotton candy has become an indispensable part of people's lives with its unique charm.