Posted by Gwen Watson on May 29, 2014
French fries facts: If you have ever wondered about who invented french fries, you’re reading the right blog. Believe it or not, potatoes aren’t native to anywhere in Europe. The spud crop is from South America, where it was first domesticated between 8000-5000 BCE in Peru and Bolivia. Eventually, potatoes were introduced to Europe through Spain via explorers who picked them up during their travels. The crop took root throughout the continent and became a major crop – and still is.
French Fries Facts: Where Did French Fries Originate?
And then came the French fries. You’d think they were from France, but legend says that’s not the case. According to Jo Gerard, a Belgian journalist, French fries are from his hometown, as he has a family manuscript dating back to 1781 that tells of deep-frying potatoes before 1680. But Jo’s not huge on showing anyone the manuscript, so, understandably, the world’s a little skeptical. If Jo’s story turned out to be untrue, fries didn’t arrive until 1735. But regardless of the manuscript’s authenticity, Belgians still consume more French fries per capita than any other country.
How Do You Eat Your French Fries?
Nowadays, French fries are popular around the globe, so it’s only natural that people dress them up in a variety of different ways. They’re most commonly eaten salted with ketchup in the US, but other countries have their techniques for enjoying these delicious potato sticks.
French Fries Facts: Condiments
Albania
French fries are known as patatis and are generally served lukewarm with grease.
Australia
Forget regular salt. The Aussies put chicken salt on their fries…and basically everything else too.
Bulgaria
So long dipping sauce. Bulgarians choose to deck their fries out with spices and sirene – a brined cheese similar to feta.
Canada
Some people say the way one eats French fries is what separates America from Canada. Canadians eat a special dish called poutine – fries drenched with gravy and topped with cheese curds.
Denmark & France
Generally, a condiment called remoulade is served with fries in these countries. It’s a mayonnaise-based sauce similar to tartar that’s flavored with curry, pickles, piccalilli, horseradish, or paprika. Or a similar recipe.
Germany
Germans often dip their Pommes Frites in a mixture of ketchup and mayonnaise.
Japan
French fries on this island nation are enjoyed similarly to those in the US, with the exception of seaweed seasoning, which is often sprinkled on top.
Mexico
Mexicans enjoy their fries with hot sauce and lemon juice.
Namibia
The land where French fries are called “slap chips” and known for being soggy and drenched in oil.
Netherlands
In this small country, you can get delicious fries wrapped in paper via street vendors and don’t have to worry about trying to walk and dip at the same time. They come topped with thick mayonnaise – but it’s thicker and sweeter than in the states.
Philippines
Banana ketchup? Really. Sweet, spicy, and great with fries.
Poland
Garlic cream, garlic sauce, or minced garlic – can you ever really have enough on fries? Poles don’t think so either.
United Kingdom
Brits enjoy their French fries – or rather, chips – with a delicious coating of salt and vinegar.
© Featured and blog photos byGourmetGiftBaskets.com
As a seasoned enthusiast in the realm of culinary history and global gastronomy, allow me to illuminate the fascinating origins and cultural variations surrounding the beloved dish—French fries.
French Fries: Unearthing their Origin Gwen Watson's intriguing article delves into the historical roots of French fries, dispelling the misconception that they hail from France. Potatoes, the primary ingredient, have an intriguing journey. Originating in South America, they were domesticated in Peru and Bolivia between 8000-5000 BCE. European exposure came through Spanish explorers who introduced potatoes to the continent, establishing them as a major crop.
The focus then shifts to the disputed birthplace of French fries. While the common belief associates them with France, Jo Gerard, a Belgian journalist, claims a family manuscript dating back to 1781, detailing the deep-frying of potatoes before 1680 in Belgium. The authenticity of this manuscript remains uncertain, and if false, French fries might not have arrived until 1735. Regardless, Belgians maintain the title of the highest consumers of French fries per capita.
Global Variations in French Fry Consumption The article goes on to highlight how French fries are enjoyed worldwide, exploring diverse culinary customs associated with this delectable dish.
- Albania: Known as "patatis," fries are served lukewarm with grease.
- Australia: Aussies opt for chicken salt instead of regular salt.
- Bulgaria: Fries are adorned with spices and sirene, a brined cheese similar to feta.
- Canada: Poutine, a Canadian specialty, features fries drenched in gravy and topped with cheese curds.
- Denmark & France: Remoulade, a mayonnaise-based sauce flavored with curry, pickles, piccalilli, horseradish, or paprika, is the preferred condiment.
- Germany: Pommes Frites are often dipped in a mixture of ketchup and mayonnaise.
- Japan: Similar to the US, but with the addition of seaweed seasoning.
- Mexico: Fries are enjoyed with hot sauce and lemon juice.
- Namibia: Here, French fries are known as "slap chips," characterized by their soggy and oil-drenched nature.
- Netherlands: Street vendors offer fries topped with thick mayonnaise.
- Philippines: An unconventional choice, fries are paired with banana ketchup.
- Poland: Garlic cream, garlic sauce, or minced garlic is the go-to topping.
- United Kingdom: Referred to as "chips," they are enjoyed with a coating of salt and vinegar.
In conclusion, this comprehensive exploration of French fries—from their Andean roots to global culinary variations—provides a flavorful understanding of this universally cherished dish.
