A Kingdom So Delicious
Why Door County is A Kingdom So Delicious
When French fur trader Pierre Esprit Raddison first discovered the abundance of
food and game on the scenic Door County peninsula in the late 1600s, he
described it as "A Kingdom So Delicious." National Geographic magazine (click
here to download) used Raddison's words as the headline for its March 1969 cover
story. The prestigious magazine devoted more than two dozen pages to exploring
in pictures and words the beauty and charm of what would soon be recognized as
the Midwest's premier scenic destination.
Door
County's unique geography also creates a perfect environment for a variety of
food crops. With abundant annual cherry and apple harvests, strong dairy, beef
and animal feed production and burgeoning small market specialty crops, Door
County produces a unique mix of agricultural offerings. The creative,
entrepreneurial spirit that is a backbone of peninsula culture has also spawned
and nurtured a large number of inventive chefs, culinary schools and
restaurants.
The
imaginative character also manifests itself in the choice of crops and animals
to raise. In addition to more traditional farm animals, the County also boasts
of ostrich, yak, buffalo, elk and heritage animals like Icelandic sheep and
chickens. Small market gardens supply local restaurants with fresh salad greens
enlivened with edible flowers, boutique vegetables like Romanescu broccoli or
Swedish fingerling potatoes.
Along
with the opening of the canal linking Lake Michigan to the bay of Green Bay, the
1880’s also saw the establishment of the Peninsular Research Station, a resource
for the burgeoning orcharding industry. Since then the Station has grown to
house the North American Potato Gene Bank, has conducted trials on producing
bio-energy crops and works in tandem with local vintners to produce flavorful
wine grapes for this particular climate. The property is also home the the
Garden Door, a demonstration garden established and maintained by the Door
County Master Gardeners.
More than 300 years after its charms were discovered by
Raddison and 39 years after they were rediscovered by National Geographic
magazine, Door County invites you to stimulate your senses in our Kingdom So
Delicious.
