What Does Meringue Taste Like?

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Last Updated on December 26, 2021

Meringue is a popular form of dessert in many parts of the world. However, you may wonder, what does meringue taste like? This tasty treat comes in many different forms, each as delicious as the next.

If you’ve never had meringue before, then you are missing out. It is a wonderful dessert to enjoy no matter the occasion. Though it can be a bit tricky to make, it is definitely worth the end result.

What Is Meringue?

Meringue is a type of dessert that is made from whipped egg whites and sugar. It often also contains an acidic ingredient such as lemon, vinegar, or cream of tartar. Sometimes a binding agent such as salt, flour, or gelatin is added and a flavoring such as vanilla extract may be added too.

When beaten, the egg whites increase in size by up to eight times to create a fluffy, light texture. The sugar added not only increases the sweetness but also stabilizes the egg whites. Meringue generally has a chewy and soft interior with a slightly crispy exterior.

There are three main types of meringue, French, Swiss and Italian. Though they all consist of whipped egg whites and sugar, they do all vary by type.

There is also a vegan version of meringue that exists. Instead of using egg whites, it uses aquafaba, which is made from chickpeas.

Meringue generally does not have a long shelf life, so it is best to consume it within a couple of days. It can be tricky to make if the weather is hot and humid. Depending on if it is baked or not, it should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge.

French

French meringue is a basic meringue recipe, the most standard of the three varieties. When making French meringue, the egg whites are beaten until soft peaks form. Then, the sugar is added to the mixture and it is beaten until stiff peaks form.

The French variety is the least stable out of all three, but it is also the lightest as well. It is popular for making soufflés, Pavlova, and cookies.

Swiss

Swiss meringue is prepared by beating egg whites and sugar together while using a double broiler. The mixture is heated until the sugar dissolves and it reaches a temperature of 130 degrees Fahrenheit. The mixture is then beaten until soft, glossy peaks form.

The Swiss version is soft yet dense. It is popular for adding to buttercreams, cookies, or Pavlovas.

Italian

Italian Meringue is the sturdiest of all three varieties. It is made by cooking a sugar syrup (water and sugar) to 240 degrees Fahrenheit. The sugar syrup is slowly added to whipped egg whites and the mixture is beaten until soft peaks form.

The Italian version is soft and creamy. It is great for adding to buttercreams, pies, sorbets, and mousses.

What Does Meringue Taste Like?

Meringue has a sweet, sugary taste that is not overpowering. It has a similar taste to marshmallow fluff. This makes it great for using as a topping, adding to frosting, or making other delicious recipes.

Meringue also has a wonderful texture. It is often light and fluffy, but in some cases, it also has a crispy exterior. It is a versatile dessert as there are many different ways you can prepare it.

Popular Meringue Recipes

There are many popular dessert recipes that use meringue, each as delicious as the next. Though they can be tricky to get right, they are definitely worth the work of making. Making meringue desserts takes precision, patience, and oftentimes practice to get right.

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Meringue cookies

Meringue cookies are a popular treat, especially around Christmas time. They are airy and light, with a lovely crisp texture. Once the meringue is made, flavoring such as vanilla, chocolate, or lemon is added.

The meringue is then piped onto a cookie sheet and baked in the oven. They can then last for up to two weeks if stored in an airtight container at room temperature.

Baked Alaska

Baked Alaska consists of cake and ice cream covered with a thick layer of meringue. The meringue is then browned to create a delicious crispy shell. There are several variations of Baked Alaska you can make, with different cake and ice cream flavors.

Lemon meringue pie

Lemon meringue pie is a popular dessert across the world. It has a shortened pastry base, lemon curd filling, and browned meringue topping.

Pavlova

Pavlova is a meringue-based dessert that is baked with a soft and light inside and a crispy crust. It is a delicate dessert that is often topped with whipped cream and fruit, such as berries.

Swiss meringue buttercream

Swiss meringue buttercream is silky smooth and creamy, making it a perfect topping for desserts. It is less sweet than traditional American buttercream. Once the Swiss meringue is made, it is then mixed with butter and vanilla.

Divinity

Divinity is a meringue-based candy that is popular down south in America. It often includes a topping such as chopped pecans.

A Sweet, Chewy, And Soft Dessert

Meringue has a wonderfully sweet, sugary taste that is similar to marshmallows. It has a soft texture that can be chewy on the inside and slightly crunchy on the outside depending on how it is prepared. It comes in three common variations, French, Italian, and Swiss.

Meringue has a basis of whipped egg whites and sugar. It can be incorporated into many yummy desserts including cookies, Pavlova, Baked Alaska, lemon meringue pie, Swiss meringue buttercream, divinity, and much more. You simply can’t go wrong with its amazing texture and delicious flavor, as well as how versatile it is.

It can be a bit tricky to get right as you need time, precision, and patience when making it. In addition, heat and humidity will play a big factor in the stability when making it.

Do you have any questions regarding what does meringue tastes like? If so, please ask any questions regarding this whipped egg white and sugar concoction in the comment section down below.

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