French Fries: The Origin of the Popular Potato Dish

Are French fries originally from the USA? Not correct! The French and Belgians have long been discussing who invented the popular potato dish. Every original variant sounds interesting. We show you both versions here.

French fries: designation indicates French origin

French fries mean fried potatoes. Because “Pomme de Terre” is French for the starch-giving potatoes, and “fire” means “to fry in oil” or “to deep-fry”. The French see this as a clear argument that they are the inventors of the fried potato wedges.

• Shortly before the French Revolution in 1789, the French are said to have baked the first pieces of potato in oil under the oldest bridge in Paris.
• The bridge “Pont Neuf” is said to have provided the name for the new dish: “Pommes Neuf” you could say – if you want to continue this thread.
• In addition to the fried potato slices, chestnuts were also prepared in fat in the same way. This well-nourishing combination is therefore quite appropriate for those times.
• Today, however, the French prefer to eat fried potatoes as an accompaniment to meat, mostly steak.

Belgians make the fries the main course

It’s just stupid that French isn’t just the language of the Grande Nation. The neighboring country of  Belgium also speaks and writes French. Accordingly, the Belgians also complain about the recognition of the provenance and origin of the deep-fried potato sticks. They provide the following quite charming explanation for this:

• In southern Belgium, in a town called Namur, local residents caught fish in the Maas river and baked it in oil. In winter, however, the food supply was sometimes scarce due to the severe frost.
• Potatoes were the solution: they were nutritious, easy to store, and therefore also available in winter. So, according to the story, the potatoes were cut into small fish-shaped sticks and fried instead of the real fish: French fries were invented.
• Even if this original version is judged by some Belgian historians to be improbable, the Belgians are still regarded today as absolute masters of fries production.
• The secret of the Belgian fries tradition: the potato pieces are fried twice so that they are golden but crispy on the outside and well cooked on the inside.
• Because this baked version is so good, Belgians eat their fries just plain, just with a delicious sauce – and of course without cutlery as finger food.
• A piece of meat or fish – like the traditional fish and chips combo with the British – is rarely served as an accompaniment.

Other countries other french fries customs

Whatever the origin of french fries, they are now a hit around the world. Each country has its own way of preparing it and its own story about baked potato pieces.

• Great Britain: Fish and chips – this combination is synonymous with typical British food. The chips are usually much coarser and cut more unevenly than the conventional French fries sticks. In addition, they are not baked as crispy on the outside.
• USA: The so-called French fries are the American version of French fries, which became widespread in the 18th century. Its very thin and fine shape is special. A model for the standardized fries of the big fast food chains. Subspecies are, for example, curly fries, which are shaped in such a way that long, thin rings are formed.
• Canada: The global supply of fries for baking at home comes largely from Canada: Florenceville-Bristol, a part of the city of New Brunswick, calls itself the “French fry capital of the world” because it is the headquarters of a well-known manufacturer of Frozen fries.