Do you want fries with that? No fries, fries

Why do Americans love French fries so much? While its popularity spans the world, Americans eat nearly 2 million tons each year. They make the perfect companion with burgers or just on their own. And French fries? Who can eat just one?

French fries began in Europe, with Belgium and France claiming their creation. The fried potato is strictly American. (In any case, the explorer Marco Polo was lost.) Centuries ago, the humble potato was plentiful and cheap, it traveled well and lingered on different preparations, making it a popular food in Europe. The French fried it and called it “fried apples”. The popular dish came to America and was called “French fries.” In the 1930s, the name was shortened to “French fries.”

Food historians will argue that French fries began their popularity in Belgium as early as the 17th century. Some claim that it may have been a substitute for fried fish, when rivers froze and fishing was nearly impossible. They became popular as a tasty side dish and found their way to France, whose chefs were always open to new foods and cooking styles.

Originally shunned as an unhealthy root vegetable and used as pig food, those resourceful Frenchmen took a 180-degree turn and began serving them as a delicacy. Pommes Frites spread to the United States and President Thomas Jefferson first served the thin, crisp potato chip to guests at the White House, after enjoying it on one of his trips to France. Americans soon found the potato inexpensive and easy to grow, and a welcome addition to their daily meals. Hearty soups and soups fed large families, and as cooks began experimenting with variations of the potato, new recipes emerged across the country.

When burgers became popular, thanks to early chains like White Castle and eventually McDonald’s, French fries were an inexpensive partner, not to mention a huge profit for restaurants. They were easy to eat, unlike the baked or pureed versions, and could be served in a small paper envelope.

The creation of French fries is for a New Yorker named George Crum, chef at the Moon Lake Lodge resort in Saratoga Springs, New York, and the discovery of crisp light was an instant hit with guests. But the general public didn’t get a chance to enjoy the crunchy treat until sandwiches became popular in the 20th century. Chips led the way and were originally sold in cans. With all the flavors on offer, 50 percent of American households still prefer the plain. Americans cut half of world production, totaling more than $ 7 billion annually. That translates to almost eight pounds per year per person. And that’s just fries. Calculate in other ways, and you have 110 pounds of potatoes per year per person. (That’s a lot of starch).

There you have it: a brief history of the most popular vegetable in the country. Grind it, bake it, fry it, boil it. Who would have thought that the humble potato, once considered only fit for feeding pigs, could become our favorite snack?