What is zefir (zephyr)?

Zefir is a soft confectionery made by whipping fresh fruit and berry purée with sugar, egg whites, and agar agar. It’s packed with natural flavor, light in calories, and visually irresistible. It’s gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian too.  

Zefir is a widely popular Eastern European confection that originated from a traditional dessert called pastila - when reduced for hours and sometimes days fruit puree was mixed with honey and whipped into a soft paste naturally packed with fruit flavor. During the Tsar era and an extensive influence of Western culture, pastila became available for French chefs who added whipped egg whites into the mixture and substituted heavy honey with sugar. They called it Zephyr - referring to the ancient Greek god of “light Western wind”, or “breeze”. 

Zefir (Zephyr) VS. Marshmallow

Zefir and marshmallow, though often compared, are distinct confections with different origins, ingredients, and uses.

Marshmallows trace their history back to ancient Egypt and the mallow plant, evolving into the sweet, chewy treats we know today through 19th-century French confectionery.

Zefir, on the other hand, evolved from the Russian pastila—cooked apples, honey, and egg whites—and later incorporated sugar and agar-agar to create a light, airy, and versatile treat.

While marshmallows contain mainly sugar, corn syrup, and gelatin, zefir remains rooted in its original four ingredients: applesauce, sugar, egg whites, and agar-agar, allowing for a wide variety of natural flavorings.

The texture and taste further distinguish the two: marshmallows are soft and chewy with limited flavors, whereas zefir is delicate, and airy, often enhanced with berries, vanilla, coffee, or other flavorings. In addition, zefir mixture is pipeable for intricate designs, transforming it into a luxurious filling, frosting, or stunning floral decoration.

Marshmallows, though popular in the U.S. for s’mores, and desserts, are more liquid and less versatile in piped applications.

Ultimately, zefir can be seen as a healthier cousin of marshmallow and a unique incarnation of a meringue. Both have their place in baking and confectionery, but if you spot a beautiful flower arrangement on social media, it would certainly be zefir. Read more to learn about the differences between marshmallows and zefir (zephyr).