You know spring has sprung when you start to see flowers blooming and hear the sounds of songbirds. But another telltale sign is the appearance of fluffy, brightly colored marshmallow Peeps on store shelves!
The sugar-coated chicks were invented more than 70 years ago. And today, Peeps have been reimagined for other holidays and seasons—pumpkins for Halloween, snowmen in wintertime, and hearts for Valentine’s Day. Originally just plain marshmallow, Peeps now come in many flavors, from cotton candy and sour watermelon to Dr. Pepper and cinnamon churro!
No matter the flavor, all Peeps are made with the same basic ingredients: sugar and corn syrup for sweetness, plus gelatin to give the marshmallows their springy structure. Mixing, heating, and whipping these ingredients creates “a big, fluffy collection of long gelatin molecules that are all tied together and intertwined,” says Douglas Mulford, a chemist at Emory University in Georgia. This mesh of molecules traps air in the mixture, forming a spongy, chewy texture.
While 88% of Peeps lovers surveyed said they prefer their Peeps fresh out of the package, the other 12% like stale Peeps! Opening the package and letting the Peeps air out overnight gives Peeps a chewier texture some love. No matter how you eat them, these sweet birds are returning to nest in Easter baskets around the country.