240 Sweet Artisan Marshmallows

No doubt you’re aware of many businesses tripping all over themselves to assure you how “green” they are. And I think that’s fine. But I have a lot more respect for those companies, especially the small-scale companies, who have simply operated in a more environmentally-conscious manner from their beginnings.

I’m talking about the folks who seek to use as many local or regional ingredients as possible, those who recycle/re-purpose items as much as they can, and those who are truly involved in attempts to save resources. Would it surprise you to learn that one such business makes upscale marshmallows? 240 Sweet Artisan Marshmallows does just that.

If you’re wondering how a marshmallow can be “artisan”, it’s a fair question. Like almost everyone else I know, I grew up eating those squat, cylindrical marshmallows from the supermarket. They have a suspiciously long shelf-life and few redeeming values. But some brave souls have begun to make real marshmallows over the past few years. Sure, they’re sweet, but they have actual flavor besides that. If you’re lucky, you’ll find marshmallows with a delicate texture, too.

Maple, Bacon, Toffee and Chocolate Chip puffs, 240 Sweet’s newest flavor.

240 Sweet Artisan Marshmallows come in a staggering variety of flavors, from Very Vanilla Bean to a lovely Roasted Pineapple to Salty Caramel (this was the best of the five flavors I tried). If you demand more adventure in your marshmallows, these are people after your own heart, and you can try the Beef, Chicken, or Thai Chili. No, I’m not making those up. These marshmallows are huge and come to you in irregular cubes roughly 2 inches on a side, but they’re as tender as anyone could wish for. Incidentally, I’ve been told that the company plans to introduce New Orleans style pralines very soon.

If you want to try all the great flavors, you can join the Marshmallow of the Month Club.

As far as environmental consciousness, 240 Sweet Artisan Marshmallows has a lot of practices I respect. They always start off trying to source ingredients locally first. If that’s not possible, they’ll search within their home state (Indiana) before branching out to within five hours of car travel. Their vanilla beans are organic (they make their own vanilla extract from those beans). Beet sugar is used instead of cane sugar; beet sugar is less processed and always vegetarian, and it can be sourced within that five hour drive.

Bourbon Ball marshmallows.

The mixer used to make the marshmallows is from the World War II era (talk about keeping items out of landfills!). The company uses dual-flush toilets and tankless hot water heaters. As far as community involvement, 240 Sweet Artisan Marshmallows has a relationship with a not-for-profit group, employing some people with disabilities who have completed culinary training through the not-for-profit’s programs. And the company sponsored Project Rain Barrel last year, in which used barrels and those made from recycled materials were given away to over 50 local homes as part of education about sustainable living.

All of this “do-gooding” is great, but it wouldn’t be worth a thing if the marshmallows weren’t worth the calories or your money. Happily, these confections are as delicious as they are surprising. No online ordering at this writing, but call or e-mail to become the star of your next social gathering!

If you want to make your own, watch the 10-minute video below for a lesson in marshmallow-making from Samantha Aulick and Alexa Lemley, owners of 240 Sweet.

Top photo by .m.e.c., Creative Commons.