الجمعة، 25 أبريل 2014

Try Michigan Fudge For A Taste Sensation

By Essie Osborn


Michigan is fast establishing itself as a destination for foodies. The variety of fresh produce here is astounding, with fish, dairy, pork, cherries, pears, apples, beets and potatoes just some of the items grown or caught locally. Moreover, Michiganders are a diverse people and this varied heritage is evidenced in regional specialties like the Cornish-influenced pasties found mainly in the Upper Peninsula. Every great meal has to be ended with something sweet and in the Mitten State the ultimate treat is Michigan fudge.

Michigan consists of an Upper Peninsula and a Lower Peninsula. In the strait separating the two, you'll find Mackinac Island, which is pronounced to sound like 'Mackinaw'. In the 19th century, people from all over started to come here for summer vacations and it's still a popular tourist destination.

What makes Mackinac different from every other destination where you can go kayaking or fishing is that there are no cars on the island. Instead, people cycle, walk or travel on horseback. The family 'car' is a carriage drawn by horses. This lends the island an old-world atmosphere in keeping with the historic buildings, including the stately Grand Hotel and Fort Mackinac. Today the entire island is a designated historic district.

One of Mackinac's main attractions is its fudge. Confectioners on the island first started making this sweet delicacy in the late 19th century. Some of those original confectionery shops are still in business. The sweet as it's produced on Mackinac is so superior and popular that every day, more than ten thousand pounds leave the island's shores.

On Mackinac you'll find any flavor of fudge you can think of. A particularly decadent one is turtle fudge with its chocolate, caramel and nuts. There are other traditional flavors too, such as vanilla and caramel. However, you'll also find flavors like pumpkin pie, sea salt and caramel, peanut butter and several types with nuts.

The base for the decadent treat is sugar, cream and real butter. These ingredients are boiled together and the flavorings are added. The mixture is then shaped into logs to cool down. When it's set, slices are cut off and sold with a knife so that you can cut off as big or as little a piece as you'd like. Most confectioners will allow you to watch the manufacturing process and some even offer workshops for those who want to learn how to make their own fudge.

With its water sports, Mackinac is especially great in summer. This is also the time for the island's fudge festival. There are live entertainment and many activities and most of the food and drinks are inspired by the island's most popular export product.

The best way to get your fudge is to buy it from one of the confectionery shops on Mackinac Island. However, you can also get it from a variety of stores in other parts of Michigan. If you can't make it to the Mitten State, though, don't despair. Simply order your slices of pure indulgence online.




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