Zefir
In its own language: зефир
Russian whipped fruit and egg white confection, soft like marshmallow
Zefir is a Russian sweet made by whipping fruit purée, egg whites, and sugar, then adding a gelling agent. It has a light, airy texture, similar to marshmallow or meringue, and is often white or pink. Zefir is enjoyed across Russia and other former Soviet countries as a confectionery treat.
- Made by whipping fruit purée, sugar, and egg whites with a gelling agent
- Texture is soft and airy, like marshmallow but never crispy
- Most often white or pink, sometimes coated in chocolate
- Originated from Russian pastila, with French influence in the 19th century
- Named after Zephyr, the Greek god of the west wind
What is Zefir?
Zefir is a soft confection made by whipping fruit or berry purée—most often apple—with sugar and egg whites, then adding a gelling agent such as pectin, agar, carrageenan, or gelatine. The result is a light, fluffy sweet, usually shaped like a piped swirl. Zefir is most often white, but can be pink or green depending on the fruit used, and sometimes comes with a thin chocolate coating or a jam filling. Its texture is airy and sticky inside, never crisp, and it is similar to marshmallow or soft meringue.
Where does Zefir come from?
Zefir traces its roots to pastila, a Russian fruit confection known since the 14th century. The addition of egg whites began in Kolomna in the 15th century, but it was not until the 19th century that the modern form of zefir appeared, influenced by French techniques that introduced whipped egg whites and gelling agents. The name comes from Zephyr, the Greek god of the west wind, reflecting its lightness.
How is Zefir made?
To make zefir, fruit or berry purée is blended with sugar and egg whites. A gelling agent, such as agar or pectin, is heated and added to the mixture. The blend is then whipped until it becomes thick and forms peaks. The mixture is piped into shapes and left to dry, so the outside firms up while the inside stays soft and sticky. Sometimes, food coloring or a jam filling is added, and some versions are coated in chocolate.
How and when is Zefir eaten?
Zefir is eaten as a sweet snack, often with tea or coffee. It is sold in shops and markets across Russia and other countries of the former Soviet Union. The confection is typically served at room temperature and can be enjoyed on its own or as part of a dessert platter. There are no special rituals or accompaniments required.
Kinds of Zefir
Zefir comes in several flavors and colors, depending on the fruit purée used. Apple is most common, but berries and cherries are also popular, giving the sweet a pink hue. Some zefir is green if made with apples. Chocolate-coated zefir and versions with a jam filling are also found. Food coloring is sometimes used to enhance appearance.
What Zefir means
Zefir is a familiar treat in Russia and neighboring countries, enjoyed as an everyday sweet. Its name, inspired by the Greek god Zephyr, hints at its delicate, airy texture. Zefir is related to pastila and is part of the tradition of fruit-based confections in Russian cuisine. It is not tied to any particular festival or religious custom.
Questions people ask about Zefir
What is zefir made of?
Zefir is made from whipped fruit or berry purée (usually apple), sugar, egg whites, and a gelling agent such as pectin, agar, carrageenan, or gelatine.
Where does zefir come from?
Zefir comes from Russia and is also found in other countries of the former Soviet Union. It developed from a traditional Russian sweet called pastila.
What does zefir taste and feel like?
Zefir has a light, airy, and sticky texture, similar to marshmallow or soft meringue. It is sweet and can have fruit flavors depending on the purée used.
Is zefir vegetarian?
Zefir is usually vegetarian, as it contains egg whites and sometimes gelling agents like pectin or agar. Some versions may use gelatine, which is not vegetarian.
How is zefir different from marshmallow?
Zefir is made with fruit purée and egg whites, giving it a fruity flavor and a softer, stickier texture than most marshmallows. It is never crispy and often comes in swirled shapes.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Zefir (food)", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
More from Russia
All the food of Russia
Pancake
🇺🇸 United States and 5 moreFlat cakes made from batter, cooked on a griddle or pan and served sweet or savoury
Main dish, Breakfast, Snacks
KamaVegetarianталқан
🇪🇪 Estonia and 5 moreRoasted grain and legume flour mixed with milk or buttermilk
Main dish, Breakfast, Snacks
Kissel
🇷🇺 Russia and 5 moreA sweet, thickened fruit or grain dessert from Eastern and Central Europe
Sweet or dessert, Snacks
Its cousins elsewhere
All sweets and desserts
Sponge cakeVegetarian
🇮🇹 Italy and 5 moreA light, airy cake made with eggs, flour and sugar, often served plain or with fillings
Sweet or dessert, Tea time
PavlovaVegetarian
🇳🇿 New Zealand and 1 moreMeringue dessert with a crisp shell, soft centre, and fruit and cream topping
Sweet or dessert
TurrónVegetarian
🇪🇸 Spain and 5 moreHoney and nut nougat, shaped into bars or cakes, enjoyed at Christmas in Spain and Italy
Sweet or dessert, Snacks
MacaroonVegetarian
🇫🇷 France and 5 moreSweet biscuit or small cake made from nuts or coconut and egg whites
Sweet or dessert, Snacks, Tea time