Meringue: health benefits and harms

The light and airy structure of meringues makes the dish unique. The delicious dessert has gained a lot of fans around the world. The cooking technology captivates with its simple execution. Airy dessert goes well with a cup of hot tea. Its exquisite creamy texture allows you to make various variations with the shapes. Adding food colors will help create a festive mood and add a touch of optimism. This dessert is one of the goodies. Children are very fond of this delicacy, and people of all ages revere its taste. Fans of sweet desserts will not resist its airy texture and lasting filling.

What is meringue

Meringue is an airy dessert that contains egg whites, whipped with sugar. The birthplace of this dish is France, which began the production of dessert in the XVII century. As an additive to enhance the taste, some manufacturers add vanilla, almond extract and other additives. To make meringues as tasty as possible, only natural ingredients should be used.

The soft filling of the dessert is covered with a crispy layer, which seems to melt on the tongue. Food colorings that create a specific color pigment can be added to the meringue filling. The addition of various ingredients helps to achieve different taste fillings that people like so much.

Kinds

1. French meringues. This view is a classic that is still relevant in our time. The composition includes only two components: egg white and white sugar. This type is quite simple to prepare and represents the necessary base for other culinary variations. It is baked in the oven at a temperature not exceeding 90 degrees.
2. Swiss meringue. This species contains three components: egg white, white sugar and vanillin. It is cooked at a temperature of 70 degrees. The characteristic taste of vanilla adds a refined and unique flavor to the dish.
3. Italian meringue. This species holds its shape well and has a particularly smooth top layer. Meringue is very crispy. The main secret is the preparation of syrup from water and sugar, which subsequently binds to protein. This method allows you to achieve the correct and perfect shape.

What is the difference between meringue and meringue?

These two concepts are very often confused. Both dishes have the same set of products, but there is one distinguishing feature. Meringue consists of a cream that has a thick consistency. Meringue is a finished cake that was baked in the oven from meringue.

There is also a difference in the storage of products. Meringue can be stored for a long time only at a low temperature, and meringue can be stored dry indoors.

Composition and calorie content

The main composition of the air dessert includes:

• Egg white.
• White sugar

As food additives can be used other products that give a rich taste and shades. Classical meringues have a snow-white color.

• The calorie content of this dish per 100 g is 305 kcal.
• Protein - 2.5 g.
• Fats - 0 g.
• Carbohydrates - 80 g.

This dish is a dessert, so it is better to use it in limited quantities. The high protein content helps in the formation of muscle mass, and the necessary carbohydrates will add energy for the whole day. This dessert refers to fast carbohydrates that are easily absorbed by the body.The dish of French cuisine is completely fat free, which helps in the fight against excess weight with proper physical exertion.

What is useful for meringues

General benefit

1. The French dessert contains a large amount of niacin, which helps lower blood cholesterol and helps increase memory concentration. Also useful properties of this substance are normalization of the digestive system and increase the body's resistance to stress and nervous overload. The substance contained in the chicken egg allows you to remove harmful toxins from the liver cells.
2. If you eat this dessert in the morning, it will saturate the body with glucose and improve your mood.
3. The content of a large amount of carbohydrates and vitamins of group B allows you to enjoy a tasty and quite useful treat.

For women

Vitamins of group B, which are contained in meringue, favorably affect the female body. They allow you to normalize the hormonal background, affect the appearance. In sufficient quantities, it improves the condition of the hair, strengthens the nail plates, is involved in the production of hemoglobin and can reduce bad cholesterol. Adding sugar significantly improves mood and enriches the body with glucose, which gives energy.

The high calcium content allows nails and bones to be in good condition. The use of this dessert in the morning in limited quantities does not lead to the formation of excess weight. Magnesium, contained in chicken protein, allows you to organize the work of the nervous system. Also, dessert is easily digestible, after its use there will be no problems with the digestive system. Sodium and potassium help maintain an alkaline balance. This helps to eliminate edema, which favorably affects the health of the body and maintaining a fresh, rested look.

For men

This dessert allows men to establish the work of the cardiovascular system and improves memory concentration. Useful protein is involved in the metabolism of digestion and allows the body to work like a clock. Glucose gives a boost of vigor and excellent mood. Niacin regulates the level of acidity of the stomach, which is an important function for comfortable digestion.

B vitamins supply the male body with useful substances. Protein, which is well absorbed, allows you to build muscle mass for men who are actively involved in sports. Eating sweetness in the morning, you can not be afraid for gaining excess weight.

Iron and magnesium, as well as a high protein content increase male potency and give energy for the whole day. Vitamin PP allows you to speed up metabolism and removes harmful toxins from the body.

During pregnancy

Chicken egg protein contains a large amount of vitamins and minerals, which are so needed during pregnancy. Iron helps restore hemoglobin, which is so often lacking. The high content of calcium and magnesium allows you to organize the work of the nervous system, strengthen bones, nails and hair. Sodium and potassium prevents stagnation of excess fluid in the body. There is a normalization of blood pressure, as well as an increase in concentration.

To a child in the womb, these components help in mental development. Useful sweetness improves mood and normalizes the hormonal background, which often changes during pregnancy. Eating meringues in small quantities is fully justified. This sweetness can be eaten throughout the pregnancy, and immediately after birth.

When breastfeeding

Young mothers after giving birth very carefully monitor their nutrition so as not to harm their baby. Meringue does not carry any threat.However, the baby may have allergic reactions to the addition of artificial dyes, so you should pay attention to the natural composition. It will provide mother's milk with the necessary B vitamins, as well as other, no less useful trace elements.

The newborn will receive iron and calcium. They are involved in bone formation and brain activity. When breastfeeding, you need to be attentive to health, giving preference to natural formulations.

For kids

For children, such a treat can be introduced into the diet from the age of three. Chicken egg white is a source of protein, which is so important in the development of the child's body. Vitamins of group B and PP regulate the level of cholesterol in the blood. They enrich the child's body with the necessary substances that contribute to comfortable digestion.

In childhood, increased stress on brain and physical activity occurs. This period is associated with the formation of bones, which need a high calcium content. Meringue is an additional tasty component that can provide the child’s body with useful substances due to beneficial microelements. Magnesium is also involved in the formation of brain activity, which are also available in sufficient quantities. Magnesium also improves the functioning of the nervous system and fights against excessive children's excitability.

A delicious dessert will help increase blood glucose, which is responsible for activity. Taste improves mood and gives strength to cope with difficult tasks at this difficult age.

When losing weight

Many people in pursuit of the ideals of beauty completely abandon sugar and all sweet foods. This approach is fundamentally wrong. Sweet foods should be present in any balanced diet, even when losing weight. During this period, the body needs healthy B vitamins, which are found in meringue. Protein is involved in the digestive system and allows you to competently supplement the diet of any losing weight person. There is no need to completely avoid carbohydrates.

There is a main rule that all experienced dietitians and people who adhere to a healthy diet follow. Carbohydrates must be absorbed in the morning, then they will go into energy and burn out. In the evening, you should not eat meringue, as its calorie content is high. The dosed amount of delicious dessert will delight your taste without the risk of deposits in extra pounds.

With gastritis

Gastritis is called a disease of our time. Inflamed walls of the stomach require a strict diet to avoid relapse. On an empty stomach, such sweets, of course, should not be consumed. After lunch or dinner, you can enjoy a delicious dessert in small quantities. Gastritis is associated with increased formation of gastric juice, which has an irritating effect on the inflamed walls of the stomach.

In meringue there are absolutely no components that can provoke an increased irritating effect and increase the amount of gastric juice. This type of sweets is one of the permitted in this difficult disease. Its soft and delicate texture is well digested in the stomach and enriches the body with B vitamins. In chronic gastritis, trace elements are absorbed a little worse, therefore, in combination with proper nutrition, this dessert can be extremely useful.

With pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas that is responsible for the functioning of all digestion and the production of insulin. This disease has a fairly extensive list of contraindications in the diet. Meringue is one of the permitted sweets, which you can sometimes treat yourself to when the acute form has passed.

The French dessert has absolutely no effect on the pancreas due to its delicate texture and the use of natural ingredients. With this disease, you should avoid products with unnatural food colors. Also, meringues in limited quantities do not require the production of enzymes in large quantities.

You can get the necessary B vitamins and PP vitamins, as well as useful trace elements, using meringues as a delicious dessert in combination with other allowed foods. Meringues can be used as an alternative replacement for heavy and buttery cakes, which are completely contraindicated for this disease.

Harm and contraindications

No matter how tasty this delicacy is, there are always contraindications that prohibit the consumption of the product even in minimal quantities.

1. The main contraindication is individual intolerance to egg white. This is extremely rare, but still there are such cases, and you need to abandon this dish.
2. Diabetes. This disease is characterized by an increased amount of glucose in the blood. Meringue is banned on the product list due to its high sugar content.
3. A lot of excess weight. Weight loss is possible with strict adherence to the diet. If obesity occurs, nutritionists around the world are advised to refrain from this product at least for the first time.
4. The consumption of sweets in large quantities has a negative effect on the teeth. They lead to caries and other dental diseases.

How to store meringues

Gourmet dessert must be stored in an airtight container with a tight lid that fits securely over the entire surface. Meringue has a short shelf life, especially home cooking. Treats are stored at room temperature not higher than 25 degrees. In bright sunlight, it quickly begins to deteriorate and lose its attractive shape. The storage location should be reliably covered from the penetration of sunlight, which contribute to melting.

Is it possible to freeze

At low temperatures, the finished product begins to harden and lose its taste. If necessary, it can be frozen, but the taste will be almost lost.

How to make meringue: recipes

A fairly simple cooking process has many variations. Each recipe has its own individual taste.

Cooking meringues requires particular clarity. A few drops of water on the dishes or the addition of a small amount of yolk can disrupt its structure. It is important to wipe all the dishes dry and separate the proteins from the yolks with the help of special devices. Only in this case can the necessary consistency be achieved. It will serve as the base structure for dessert.

Professional chefs beat egg whites only with a whisk. Their movements are directed in different directions, as well as up and down. This allows you to achieve the desired consistency and thick foam.

Vanilla Sugar Recipe

Products:

• Egg (only protein is used) - 3 pieces.
• White sugar - 150 g.
• Vanilla Sugar - 1 tbsp. the spoon.

Step by step recipe:

1. Separate the yolk from the protein and repeat the procedure with all eggs. This procedure is very important. From the clear separation of proteins from the yolks, the subsequent success of the preparation of the dish will depend. Proteins are placed in a deep container.
2. Mix white sugar with vanilla sugar and mix until smooth.
3. Pour the squirrels into the mixer bowl and beat until deep foam. If the mixer is not at hand, you can use a blender or whisk. The main thing is that the consistency is completely homogeneous, with foam. Beat at high speeds.
4. To the resulting protein mass add mixed sugar and turn on the blender again at maximum power. The most important thing is to achieve complete dissolution of sugar crystals and a homogeneous structure.
5. On a rectangular baking dish, put special baking paper and cut it so that it does not go beyond the edges.
6. Put the creamy consistency from the mixer into the confectionery syringe.It must have a special shape so that all the treats turn out to be of the same shape and texture. A shape that resembles a small flower is considered classical. Nozzles can be of different sizes.
7. Preheat the oven to a temperature of 120 degrees and bake sweets for 40 minutes until fully cooked.

A dish is considered fully prepared when its shape takes on a solid state. Before eating meringues, it is necessary to cool in a natural way.

Meringue with lemon juice

Products:

• Egg (only protein is used) - 4 pieces.
• Powdered Sugar - 150 g
• Lemon juice - 1 tsp.

Step by step recipe:

1. Break the eggs into a deep bowl and separate the whites from the yolks. This process should be given special attention. Proteins should be completely separated.
2. Pour the egg whites into the bowl of the mixer and set to beat at high speed until a thick foam forms.
3. To the resulting mass add lemon juice and powdered sugar. Mix all products at high speed. The average time is 3-5 minutes. Lemon juice allows you to make the cream more smooth and even texture.
4. Put the liquid mass in a pastry bag or place in a pastry syringe with a large nozzle shape.
5. Cover the baking dish with parchment paper spread across the width. Squeeze small flower-shaped meringues onto the baking dish.
6. After filling the whole baking sheet with sweets, put it in the oven. The baking temperature is about 100 degrees, the time is 2 hours.

Meringues are considered ready when hardened. To the table they must be served at room temperature.

Meringue recipe on sticks

Products:

• Egg (only protein is used) - 4 pieces.
• White sugar - 170 g.
• Vanilla - 15 g.

Optionally, food coloring can be used to add color.

Step by step recipe:

1. Beat eggs in a separate bowl and separate the yolk from the protein. Repeat the procedure with all eggs.
2. Beat the egg white in a blender or mixer until smooth with the appearance of a thick foam.
3. Add white sugar and vanillin to the same bowl. Mix the products until the sugar crystals are completely dissolved and the mass is uniform.
4. To add taste and shade, use food coloring, which is placed in the same container and mixed until a uniform color and foam appear.
5. Cover the baking dish with baking paper in the mold. Transfer the mass to a pastry bag. Create beautiful meringues with an even shape. The shape can be with round curls.
6. Add small skewers to each piece. Send to the preheated oven for 2 hours at a temperature of about 90 degrees.

After cooling, the mold should completely solidify and be solid. Bright and tasty meringues will be a good decoration on the table.

Coconut Chip Recipe

Products:

• Egg (use only proteins) - 2 pieces.
• Powdered Sugar - 100 g
• Citric acid - 1 pinch.
• Coconut flakes - 2 tbsp. spoons.

Step by step recipe:

1. In a deep container, break all the eggs. Separate the squirrels from the yolks. Only proteins are used in this recipe.
2. Beat the whites to a thick foam. For these purposes, a mixer or a whisk familiar in the household is used.
3. Add the powdered sugar and citric acid to the resulting mixture. Mix all components well until complete mass uniformity.
4. Add coconut flakes evenly and mix.
5. Transfer the composition to a pastry bag. If it is not on the farm, you can simply put it in a small spoon and shape it.
6. Squeeze a lot of meringue onto a baking sheet covered with baking paper and shape it.
7. Preheat the oven to a temperature of 100 degrees and send the future dessert into it. Bake for 2 hours.

The coconut structure gives a sophisticated taste and makes the dish even more delicious. Meringue should be cooled to room temperature and serve.

Recipe for multi-colored meringues

Products:

• Egg white - 3 pieces.
• Powdered Sugar - 100 g
• Finely ground almonds - 100 g.
• White sugar - 100 g.
• Multi-colored food coloring.

Step by step recipe:

1. Add almonds and powdered sugar to a deep bowl. Mix the components together.
2. Separate the yolks from the proteins in a separate container. Only egg whites are used. Beat them with a mixer at high speed until smooth with thick foam.
3. Add sugar to the protein mass and mix until crystals are completely dissolved and a thick consistency.
4. In the container of proteins and sugar add the first container with almond crumbs. Stir until smooth. The consistency should be lush and dense.
5. Add dyes to taste and color in a dense mass. Stir until color is uniform.
6. Put a dense texture in a pastry bag. If not, you can use a regular teaspoon.
7. Cover the baking dish with baking paper and form a beautiful shape.
8. Heat the oven to a temperature of 120 degrees and bake for about half an hour.

In the finished form, meringues have a solid structure, are well separated from baking paper. This dessert is served in chilled form. Its delicate texture allows melt in the mouth.

How to eat etiquette on etiquette

Meringue is considered one of the most popular gourmet recipes. The appearance of such goodies on the table serves as a real decoration of the holiday. According to etiquette, it is not forbidden to eat meringues with hands. The required amount should be put on a saucer or a small plate. There is a meringue needed above them so that the crumbs do not scatter across the table and floor. Using a dessert spoon or knife is unjustified here. Meringue is small in size and solid in texture, so cutlery is not necessary.

If the treat has a rather large shape, it can be conveniently cut into two equal parts with a regular dessert knife. After the tea party you must use a napkin. Such etiquette rules are dictated by modern society.

Interesting Facts

There are many interesting facts about this dessert:

1. The story goes that it was invented on a festive evening when the cook only had two products left on the table: sugar and eggs. With a little imagination, he came up with this delicious and long-awaited recipe.
2. The dessert contains protein, which is easily absorbed by the body and helps to gain muscle mass in training. This fact will delight athletes and other people who follow the figure.
3. In Spain there is a very romantic tradition. The groom hides the ring in a soft meringue filling. The girl, completely unaware, bites off a treat. The young man kneels and admits his feelings.
4. This delicacy is completely unsuitable for storage at low temperatures. It loses its taste and begins to damp quickly. A good option would be glass containers that are tightly closed with a lid.
5. Based on meringues, a large number of delicious recipes were created. Professional chefs continue to experiment and create new recipes for dishes based on meringue cream. It also serves as a decoration for many desserts at special occasions.
6. In Seoul, just a few years ago, coffee was created with the addition of meringues. The dish is served in a cup on which the meringue cubes that can be eaten are laid on top. They do not melt in a coffee drink, but rise above it. Cubes keep their shape well and keep the drink warm. This dish is very popular with visitors and tourists.

Meringue photo