Michigan holds the nation's fudge capital - Mackinac Island (2024)

Michigan Public | By Rick Pluta | MPRN

PublishedJune 13, 2013 at 2:02 PM EDT

This coming Sunday isn’t just Father's Day -- it is also National Fudge Day.

By most accounts, the first batch of fudge was concocted in Baltimore in the 1880s. By the turn of the century, fudge-making arrived on Mackinac Island in northern Michigan, which today has a legitimate claim as the modern day fudge capital.

Tourists pile off ferries and onto Mackinac Island by the thousands every day during the summer. For many, one of the first stops when they arrive or the last stop before they board a ferry back home, is one of the island’s 15 or so fudge shops.

Island-wide, the favorite is plain, unadulterated chocolate fudge.

Ed Turbin is a fudge-maker at Ryba’s Fudge Shop.

He explained the fudge-making process.

“We start with the basic ingredients – the sugar and the corn syrup and cream and the chocolate, and we blend those altogether and mix ‘em and cook ‘em in the big copper kettle up to 232 degrees. When it gets to that temperature, we bring it out and we pour it here on the marble slabs into this frame.”

After the mixture cools a bit, Ed Turbin goes to work, mixing, twisting and flipping the fudge, lifting it into the air and slapping it down. It’s a storefront operation. Tourists stop to watch through the window, or they come into the store.

...he's not just a fudge-maker - he's a showman.

Turbin explained that he’s not just a fudge-maker – he’s a showman.

“In fact, when no one’s around for me to interact with, it’s kind of a dull job for me just to make fudge," Turbin said. "I know how to make fudge. But if I can do it for people, and they come and they talk and they want a taste. They all ask the same questions, but they don’t know the last person asked the same questions, so it’s all new to them, so I treat every one of them like it’s the first time.”

The most common questions are:

  • “Do you ever get it on the floor?” (Answer: Never)
  • “Are your arms tired?” (Answer: All the time)
  • and, “How long have you been doing this?” (Answer: 37 years)

Phil Porter is an island resident who wrote a short history of Mackinac’s fudge business.
“What’s unique about Mackinac fudge is the way that it’s made, on the marble slabs, large batches at a time in a very dramatic process,” Porter explained.

According to Porter, candy has been a popular foodie souvenir here since Mackinac Island became a popular tourist destination in the late 1800s.

"Today, we accept candy as an everyday phenomenon. Back then it was a treat. It was a treat that you did on vacation."

“One of the things people did on vacation back then was they liked to enjoy candy. Today, we accept candy as an everyday phenomenon. Back then it was a treat. It was a treat that you did on vacation.”

At first, the mainstay was maple syrup candy in little birchbark canoes. It was a cottage industry for nearby American Indian tribes.

The candy shops expanded their sales over time to include taffy and peanut brittle. But Phil Porter says Mackinac’s confectionary future was in fudge.

By the 1920s, fudge shops lined the streets of Mackinac’s downtown. Porter says electric fans pushed the smell into the streets – streets emptied of cars and trucks since they were banned in 1898.

“And pretty soon people were like Pavlov’s dogs. They had no choice but to go in and buy the fudge, and it’s taken off since then,” Porter explained.

The most common forms of transport on the island are bikes and horse-drawn carriages.

On a hot summer day, the smell of fudge cooking wafts from the shops and combines with what the horses leave in the streets to make a visit to Mackinac a unique olfactory experience.

Michigan holds the nation's fudge capital - Mackinac Island (2024)

FAQs

Michigan holds the nation's fudge capital - Mackinac Island? ›

Mackinac Island, between Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas, is the self-proclaimed "Fudge Capital of America." The car-free oasis has more than a dozen fudge shops. During the summer, fudge-loving tourists (affectionately called "fudgies") flood the island.

What is so special about Mackinac Island Fudge? ›

To obtain the world famous taste, the fudge is slowly cooked in traditional copper kettles over a gas flame. Once the desired temperature is reached, the mixture is poured onto marble slabs for a cooling period and then hand-paddled into loaves.

Where is the fudge capital of the world? ›

Whether you visit Mackinac Island on National Fudge Day in June or any other day – maybe during the Mackinac Island Fudge Festival in August – come find your favorite flavor and experience the fudge capital of the world!

What's so special about Mackinac Island? ›

Mackinac Island offers timeless charm with its horse-drawn carriages , historic architecture and attractions . Come explore the island's natural beauty through miles of biking and hiking trails and enjoy a wide variety of activities .

What Michigan island is known for fudge? ›

Just as Mackinac Island was at one time the center of the world's fur trade, it now attracts people from around the globe to taste world-famous Mackinac Island Fudge! Visitors get to enjoy delicious samples from the many fudge shops downtown and also see the fudge making process in action.

Who owns most of Mackinac Island? ›

While all of Mackinac Island, the landform, is located within the corporate limits of the City of Mackinac Island, today 82 percent of the island's landmass is owned by the State of Michigan and managed by the Mackinac Island State Park Commission (MISPC).

Does anyone famous live on Mackinac Island? ›

What celebrity lives on Mackinac Island? Do any celebrities live on Mackinac Island? Yes, celebrities have houses on Mackinac Island. A few are actor Vince Vaughn, Director Ron Howard, and Michigan's own Bob Seger.

Where is the best fudge made in the United States? ›

While fudge was not invented on Mackinac Island, it most certainly – and most deliciously – was perfected here.

How long is Mackinac fudge good for? ›

How long is Mackinac fudge good for? Fudge is a perishable delight, and its longevity depends on how it's stored. For optimal freshness, we recommend consuming your fudge within ten days of purchase.

Was fudge invented in Michigan? ›

By most accounts, the first batch of fudge was concocted in Baltimore in the 1880s. By the turn of the century, fudge-making arrived on Mackinac Island in northern Michigan, which today has a legitimate claim as the modern day fudge capital.

What isn't allowed on Mackinac Island? ›

Imagine the only way to get around is by horses and bicycles. That's right. No cars, no horns, no sirens and no motorcycles. Of course, getting around on foot is always allowed.

What is the mystery on Mackinac Island about? ›

Thirteen-year-old Hunter Martineau lives on the island year around and knows everything about the place. Well, almost everything. When bikes start to mysteriously disappear all over the island, Hunter is determined to catch the thief and claim the reward money.

How many people actually live on Mackinac Island? ›

Approximately 500-600 people reside on Mackinac Island on a year-round basis.

Where is America's fudge Capital? ›

The most popular souvenir of Mackinac Island is its variety of fudge items. The island is actually known as America's Fudge Capital and even hosts an annual fudge festival.

What is the nickname for Mackinac Island? ›

It's been said that Native Americans thought the shape of the island resembled a turtle, so they named it "Mitchimakinak" meaning "big turtle." Then, the French used their own version of the original pronunciation and named it Michilimackinac.

What is the oldest fudge company on Mackinac Island? ›

In 1887, Mackinac Island's first candy shop opened as Murdick's Candy Kitchen. Henry Murdick continued to make sails in the back of the building, while up front, Rome crafted fudge using his mother's recipe.

What is the world's best fudge? ›

While fudge was not invented on Mackinac Island, it most certainly – and most deliciously – was perfected here.

Why do tourist traps sell fudge? ›

Some entrepreneurial person started selling this novelty at a tourist spot. The swell of tourism after the Civil War, unfolding only a little before the birth of fudge, created a new market, one hungry for entertainment in all its forms.

How long does mackinac island fudge last? ›

Shelf life at room temperature – 12 weeks. Shelf Life refrigerated -24 weeks. In a freezer – indefinitely.

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