Home: French Fries

French Fries differ to the traditional English potato chip, in that the potato strips are cut much thinner and usually longer. Like the English chip, French Fries are deep fat fried in oils such as sunflower and peanut oil.

The term 'French Fires' is used in most countries to describe thin cut fried potato chips, but the translations may slightly change. In the English speaking world they are usually referred to as,

• French Fries
• Fries
• French Fry
• French Fried Potatoes
• French Fried Chips
• French Fried Potato Chips

In other countries

• French Potatoes (Finland)
• Pommes Frites (Fried Potatoes) (Germany)

The origins of French Fries is hotly disputed amongst three countries. Adherents in Belgium, France and Spain each claim the dish had been invented by their nation.

The Belgians believe visiting troops from the American army in World Wide One named their dish French Fries, due to either a lack of geography knowledge or the Belgium army speaking French.

The dish was taken back to the US after WW1, was popularised, and then was further popularised worldwide through American fast food chains such as McDonald's, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) and Burger King.

The technique for frying the dish varies. For crisp French Fries many experts believe you need to fry them twice. Once at a lower temperature to cook the fries through thoroughly. And then once at a higher temperature to crisp the outside of the fries. Frying once can leave a soggy or a partially cooked fry.

While French Fries have largely been consumed plain in Europe. The Americans have come up with many variations, coating the fries in garlic, breading, chili and cheese.