TEc*msEH, Mich. (AP) — Some families pass down jewelry, watches or even recipes. But a Michigan family has its own heirloom: a 141-year-old fruitcake.
“It’s a great thing,” said Julie Ruttinger, the great great granddaughter of Fidelia Ford, who baked the cake in 1878. “It was tradition. It’s a legacy.”
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The cake was initially preserved to honor Ford. She established a tradition of baking the cake and letting it age for a year before serving it during holiday seasons. Ford died at age 65 before her 1878 cake could be eaten, and by the time the holidays arrived, the family considered her handiwork a legacy, not food.
Until his 2013 death, the cake was in the care of Ruttinger’s father, Morgan Ford, who was Fidelia Ford’s great-grandson. He had stored it in an antique glass dish on the top shelf of a china cabinet in his Tec*mseh home — which is where it remains today.
“He took care of it to the day he left the earth,” Ruttinger said. “We knew it meant a lot to him.”
Guinness World Records doesn’t have an entry for the oldest fruitcake, but as for cakes in general, the Ford fruitcake is nowhere near the world’s oldest, The Detroit News reported. That honor goes to a 4,176-year-old cake that was found in an Egyptian tomb, according to the Guinness organization. It is on display in a food museum in Switzerland.
During the 93 years that Morgan Ford held on to his family’s fruitcake, he showed it off at church and family gatherings and shared stories about its history with younger relatives. He even showcased the cake on “The Tonight Show” in December 2003, taking a bite with the host and saying it tasted like thrashed wheat.
“He really enjoyed sharing the joy of the cake,” said another of his daughters, Sue Durkee. “He took a lot of pride in it.”
As a seasoned expert in culinary history and traditions, particularly those related to heirloom recipes and preserved delicacies, I am well-versed in the significance and cultural value of food legacies. My expertise spans various culinary artifacts, and I've delved into the intriguing world of enduring recipes passed down through generations.
Now, let's unravel the rich tapestry of the captivating story about the 141-year-old fruitcake from a Michigan family. This fruitcake is not just a confectionary relic; it's a cherished heirloom with a fascinating history.
The tale begins with Fidelia Ford, a culinary artisan who baked the now-iconic fruitcake in 1878. This cake wasn't merely a seasonal treat; it was a tradition and a legacy for the Ford family. Fidelia established the practice of letting the cake age for a year before serving it during holiday seasons. Unfortunately, she passed away at the age of 65 before having the opportunity to savor her creation. Nevertheless, her family decided to preserve the fruitcake as a symbol of her culinary prowess and as a lasting legacy.
Morgan Ford, Fidelia Ford's great-grandson, undertook the responsibility of preserving this culinary treasure until his passing in 2013. He meticulously stored the 141-year-old fruitcake in an antique glass dish on the top shelf of a china cabinet in his Tec*mseh home, where it remains today. This level of care and dedication demonstrates the family's deep connection to the fruitcake, viewing it not just as a dessert but as a cherished piece of their history.
The fruitcake, a testament to Fidelia Ford's culinary skills, gained wider recognition when Morgan Ford showcased it at church and family gatherings over the 93 years he cared for it. He even shared its captivating history on "The Tonight Show" in December 2003, where he took a bite with the host and described its flavor as reminiscent of thrashed wheat.
While this Michigan family's fruitcake holds immense sentimental value, it's important to note that Guinness World Records does not have a specific entry for the oldest fruitcake. However, in the broader category of cakes, the Ford fruitcake does not claim the title of the world's oldest. That honor goes to a 4,176-year-old cake found in an Egyptian tomb, currently on display in a food museum in Switzerland, as documented by the Guinness organization.
In conclusion, the 141-year-old fruitcake stands as a testament to the enduring power of culinary traditions, showcasing how a simple recipe can transform into a cherished family heirloom, preserving not just flavors but also memories across generations.
