The Sunshine Valley Gazette

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Nothin’ blue, maroon all through at fudgyboombahs

Caption: Greg Jones– also known as Mr fudgyboombah – has created The Queenslander fudge at his Montville fudge store. Customers complained the Blues version was “too bitter” so it went out of production.  Photo: Kerry BrownBy Richard BruinsmaBlues supporters who dare venture near Montville’s fudgyboombahs fudge shop during the State of Origin rugby league season had better be prepared for the consequences.If they’re brave enough to step into the store wearing anything blue – especially a Blues jersey – they might just cop some good-natured ribbing and maybe even a “Blues Tax” on any fudge purchase.The shop’s owner, Greg Jones, has revealed his strong allegiance to this great state of Queensland by creating a special Maroons fudge… and the taste is a knockout.“It’s a bold and strong berry flavour,” he explains, with his chest puffed out proudly, “bold and strong, just like the team.”“It’s got its own name tag that says, ‘The Queenslander’ and when the customers ask about it, I tell them what it is and that they had better order it in the correct manner.”That “correct manner”, by the way, is with the famous Billy Moore QUEEEENNSLANDER battle cry.“It’s a terrific icebreaker for the customers, so it’s good value in that regard,” Mr Jones said. “It gets people interested in all our other products too.”fudgyboombahs has over 70 different fudge flavours on sale every day.Mr Jones creates various flavours through the year depending on the season. In winter, there’s Pumpkin Pie, Custard Tart, Apple Pie, and a Raspberry Surprise fudge that pairs raspberry with a thin layer of spearmint.He does a Christmas Pudding fudge at Christmas time and a Hot Cross Bun flavour at Easter, but the fudge of the moment right now is The Queenslander.Mr Jones – also known by his alias Mr fudgyboombah – says the Maroon fudge has been a regular annual creation of his store during the State of Origin season. Unfortunately, though, the Blues version wasn’t that successful.“We made it one year but it didn’t sell very well because the customers complained it was bitter,” he joked (or was he serious?).And he explains there’s “no chance” of it ever returning to the production menu.“Nooooo! No, mate,” he responded with a frown.“You have to listen to the customers and they say it’s too bitter, and the customer is always right.”The Queenslander fudge, along with all the other flavours, will be available throughout the State of Origin season, which this year runs from game one on June 1 (Sydney), through to game 2 on June 22 (Brisbane)  and game three (Sydney) July 13.