Hudsonville Ice Cream invites ideas for Pure Michigan flavor

Hudsonville Ice Cream invites ideas for Pure Michigan flavor

Hudsonville Ice Cream’s limited-edition Pure Michigan Caramel Apple. Photo via fb.com

Ice cream parlors around the state are opening for summer, and Hudsonville Ice Cream has once again teamed up with Pure Michigan to host a flavor-of-Michigan competition.

Anyone is welcome to submit an idea for the next great Pure Michigan flavor. Last year, Pure Michigan Caramel Apple topped cones and became a household favorite.

The contest kicked off this week and runs through May 22.

Hudsonville Ice Cream will select the winning flavor, which will be announced on June 21 — the first day of summer — and will go into production over the summer for distribution beginning this fall and winter.

“This is a terrific opportunity to engage with our fans and showcase the wide variety of flavors to be found throughout the state,” said George Zimmermann, vice president of Travel Michigan, part of the Michigan Economic Development Corp.

Last year, more than 3,000 flavor suggestions were submitted to determine the official Pure Michigan ice cream flavor of Michigan state parks.

Flavors ranged from Tahquamenon Falls Root Beer Sundae to Hex Hatch Jubliee, with Pure Michigan Caramel Apple taking the top prize.

In fact, Pure Michigan Caramel Apple was the second most popular limited-edition flavor in the Hudsonville lineup last year, selling more than double the quantity expected.

Flavor contest entries may be submitted on Hudsonville Ice Cream’s website.

The grand prize for the winning ice cream flavor includes a two-night stay at Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, a year’s supply of Hudsonville Ice Cream and Pure Michigan merchandise.