The Sweet Secret Behind Michigan’s Mackinac Island Fudge Obsession
Discover the sweet secret behind Mackinac Island’s fudge obsession! 🍫 From maple sugar to five tons of fudge per day, this tiny island packs a delicious punch. 😋 #MackinacIsland #FudgeCapital #SweetTooth
Mackinac Island, Michigan – Have you ever wondered how a tiny island in Michigan became the fudge capital of the world? Mackinac Island’s love affair with fudge dates back over a century, and it all started with some creative candy makers who knew how to put on a show.
From Maple Sugar to Fudge Mania
In the early days, Mackinac Island was known for its maple sugar, harvested by Indigenous Americans. But as the island became a popular summer resort, tourists developed a sweet tooth for all kinds of candy, especially fudge. By the 1880s, the Murdick family had opened the first real candy store on the island, and Rome Murdick became the first person to make fudge on marble slabs, creating a unique flavor and a mesmerizing spectacle for customers.
The Fudge-Making Spectacle
Mackinac Island fudge-making was more than just a process; it was a public event. Fudge makers would mix ingredients in a kettle, heat it up, and then pour it onto a marble slab, working the liquid into solid fudge as it cooled. They’d let the gooey mixture nearly ooze off the side of the slab before sweeping it back into the center with a long-handled trowel, much to the delight of the watching crowd.
Surviving Wars and Depression
The fudge industry on Mackinac Island had its ups and downs during the first half of the 20th century, with sugar rations and declining tourism forcing some shops to close. But enterprising fudge makers like Rome Murdick and his son Gould found creative ways to lure customers, like using kitchen fans to blow the scent of fudge into the street and even pouring vanilla flavoring into the bubbling candy to create a sweet aroma.
The Fudge Boom
After World War II, Mackinac Island’s fudge industry exploded. Shops experimented with new flavors and worked to make the island synonymous with the treat. By the 1960s, visitors to the island were known as “fudgies,” and Mackinac Island had become the undisputed fudge capital of the world.
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Fudge Paradise
Today, there are 13 fudge shops on Mackinac Island, churning out a whopping 10,000 pounds of fudge every day during peak season. That’s five tons of sweetness! Whether you prefer classic chocolate or more adventurous flavors, a visit to Mackinac Island isn’t complete without sampling some of its world-famous fudge.
🗣 Are you a fudgie? Have you tried Mackinac Island’s fudge? Let us know in the comments section below! ⬇️
