Marshmallow Fluff Chronicles 🤤 From Somerville Invention to National Sensation
Fluff sandwich
The Inventor and the Birthplace:
Marshmallow Fluff was invented in Somerville in 1917 by Archibald Query, a local entrepreneur, inventor, and candy maker. He developed the recipe for a light and spreadable marshmallow-like substance that could be used as a sandwich filling or a topping. Quickly, Fluff became very popular with the locals...
Quickly, Fluff became very popular with the locals.
He ultimately sold the recipe for Fluff to H. Allen Durkee and Fred L. Mower, who made it in their kitchen at night and sold it door to door during the day and eventually brought it national/global.
Here are a few fun anecdotes about Fluff:
The Marshmallow Fluff Snowstorm of 1919
In 1919, Marshmallow Fluff had a moment. That winter, a severe snowstorm hit the city. Turns out, the Fluff factory in East Somerville, was inaccessible due to the snowdrifts, preventing the delivery of Fluff to retailers.
The shortage of Marshmallow Fluff caused a minor uproar among locals who were used to getting it whenever they wanted. People couldn’t wait! Once the snow finally cleared and Fluff was back on the shelves, there was a surge in sales. The incident, known as the Marshmallow Fluff Snowstorm of 1919, became a funny moment in the history of Fluff in Boston.
The Proposal to Ban
More recently, a local politician, Senator Jarrett Barrios expressed outrage when he discovered that his third-grade son, Nathaniel, had been served a Fluffernutter sandwich at the King Open School in Cambridge. This led the senator to announce his intention to introduce a legislation that would limit the frequency of offering the Fluff as the main meal in schools. Barrios, a Democrat, believed that his proposed amendment to a bill on junk food in schools might be perceived as "a little silly," but he emphasized the importance of addressing school nutrition as a serious matter.
The Annual Fluff Festival:
Since 2006, Somerville has celebrated its Fluff with an annual Fluff Festival. This event brings together marshmallow lovers to enjoy Fluff-related activities, Fluff-based foods, and Fluff-themed contests. People love it.
Marshmallow Fluff Today:
Today, people still love Marshmallow Fluff. Its versatile nature means it can be used in a variety of recipes, from classic Fluffernutter sandwiches to desserts like s'mores, cakes, cookies, and ice cream toppings.
The iconic white and blue jar of Marshmallow Fluff is iconic, It is still a top seller in supermarkets across the United States
Do you still eat Fluff? Admit it… Let us know in the comments!
