One of the things my relatives who live overseas enjoy when they visit are marshmallows. They don't have marshmallows in a package in all shapes, sizes and colors like we do! Not to mention, of course, Peeps.
Making s'mores is fun and the highlight of every camping trip!
Of course, on top of all of this, they have no idea what a s'more is, and I know my English was incorrect when I typed that, but a s'more is something very special, it is traditional Americana. People from nations all over the world have their traditions, and I think it is time we recognized one of ours "MAKING S'MORES!"
WANT SOME MORE?
Well you all know the abbreviation came from this sentence "I want some more" and either the kids chanted it repeatedly until the words blended into one, or someone thought it clever to abbreviate it that way. But why s'mores, don't we have enough sugar and sweets throughout the year? The answer is yes, but do we have a sugar or sweet that celebrates being on vacation and enjoying the great outdoors? No, not until s'mores came along!
WHAT DO S'MORES REPRESENT
I believe s'mores represents independence and family fun. Where else can you hand a pack of kids' long sharp sticks and ask them to make hot pokers out of them in an open fire? In the dark usually, so the hot pokers also become flaming torches.
Why do we do this? Because one kid told another kid "Hey camping is fun, you get to make s'mores!" and so on and so on and this traveled through the grapevine until every kid in America wants to go camp out, just to make s'mores!
So getting back to the flaming sticks being trotted around the camp fire in the grasp of small hands, now we add into the mix a confectionary treat that ignites and becomes hot lava inferno melting out from the center, and fast!
But wait, there's more! Add chocolate. Now the graham cracker is basically just a tool to hold thechocolate against the molten marshmallow so we don't burn our hands, hey we aren't THAT silly.
Overall, now we see why this is all about family, friends and fun. This whole thing reeks of independence, we as Americans have always reveled in our independence.
YOUR WAY IS THE BEST WAY
From these humble beginnings, we have begun family traditions of our own. We have our own style of s'mores making. Of late our family has decided "What the heck! Let's go all the way and use chocolate chip cookies in lieu of the graham crackers…and while we're being completely indulgent, let's put out a few of those peanut butter cups everyone loves!"
But it all comes down to this, sticky fingers, burnt tongues, sugar overdosing…it's all part of being an American. Whatever way you do it, is the best way, and we applaud you for taking the kids, the family, and friends out to a Virginia State Park to keep this tradition alive!
LONG LIVE S'MORES~
There is even a National S'mores Day in the middle of August…I hope you will help us celebrate!
How do you like your s'mores?
Chocolate chip cookies have replaced graham crackers for our s'mores
"Bon appetite" Virginia State Parks
According to the first printed s'mores recipe in 1927 in the Girl Scout Handbook, which launched this treat into pop culture forever, you are supposed to toast the marshmallow over a camp fire. Allow me to ask you, is it:
- TOAST the marshmallow, or
- ROAST the marshmallow
Share your answer with us on our Facebook page, and let's settle this once and for all!