Welcome to our series sharing Food Holidays: July 13th, 2022. Did you know today is National French Fry Day? This morning Charlie asked for Taquito’s from Whataburger and I ordered a Bacon Cheeseburger for Brunch. While David also have a Hamburger and Fries. Without knowing it was National French Fry Day I shared Fries with David which allowed us to celebrate the Holiday.
National French Fry Day celebrated on July 13th is a great opportunity to take the time to sample French Fries. But did you know that the origin of French Fries is more than likely not French at all? Potatoes were being fried in Belgium way before the French, but more on that later. When it comes to the tastiest French Fries on the planet, everyone seems to have an opinion. It’s a time-consuming decision to find your favorite because no two restaurants seem to have the same recipe. French Fries do have a nutritional stigma attached to them, however, due to high-caloric and fat content. But it’s tough to say no to French Fries including the French Fries at the bottom of the bag.
Crinkle-cut, English style, or McDonald’s famous Fries, French Fries are enjoyed and celebrated on National French Fry Day on July 13th.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL FRENCH FRY DAY
Estimates say Americans eat around 30 pounds of French Fries per person each year. That seems like a lot, of French Fries but when you think about all the ways you can eat French Dries, it adds up quickly. French Fries are easy to gobble down, whether they’re straight out of a fast-food French-Fry container or whether you’re an expert at making French Fries at home. Add in all of the different condiments, and French Fries become even more popular.
The term ‘French Fries’ refers to deep-fried slices or strips of Potatoes. While the precise origins are unknown, French Fries hit the Culinary scene sometime in the 1700s. It had taken an entire Century for Potatoes to become widely accepted as food, arriving in Europe in the 1600s.
Like most iconic foods, the French Fry has an interesting folk story about how French Fries was created. Belgians call dibs on the origins of French Fries, claiming French Fries to be an invention of their people. According to a manuscript by Joseph Gerard, the residents of the Meuse Valley, located near Dinant in Belgium, consumed a lot of Fish, since they lived near the River. During Winters, when the Rivers would freeze and fishing would become difficult, the idea to slice Potatoes like Fish Fillets and fry Fish in hot fat was born.
But all credit does go to the French for popularizing frying foods and selling frying foods in public on Street Carts called ‘frites,’ in the mid-1700s. Eventually, Potatoes were cut in all sorts of shapes and fried. As to how French Fries arrived in America, there are two versions of that story, too. The more popular and accepted fact is that Thomas Jefferson brought French Fries to the U.S.A. While serving time as an Ambassador, Thomas Jefferson spent a lot of time in France and went on to serve “Potatoes served in the French manner” at a White House dinner in 1802.
The other theory is that World War I Soldiers who were stationed around Dinant in Belgium took a liking to the local finger food known as ‘Pommes Frites’ and took the idea back with them. This is when French Fries really took off and became mainstream in the U.S.
Five Food Finds about French Fries:
- French Fries are, perhaps, poorly-named, since French Fries originate in Belgium and are most popular in America.
- In England French Fries are referred to as “Chips”
- Though French Fries were invented in Europe, the Potatoes, from which French Fries are made, originated in the Americas and were imported.
- Leaving the Potato Skin on French Fries actually leaves in important Vitamins that are lost if the skins are peeled away.
- The first occurrence of French Fries in America may have been at a diplomatic dinner hosted by Thomas Jefferson.
AMERICA’S ULTIMATE RANKING OF FAST FOOD FRIES
#1: McDonalds (35%)
#2: Chick-fil-A (13%)
#3: Five Guys (12%)
#4: Wendys (11%)
#5: Arbys (11%)
Regular, Waffle, Belgian, Steak, Thick-Cut, Crinkle-Cut, Cottage, Wedge, Curly, Shoestring, Tornado, and of course, the Smiley Face, today is the day when French Fries are celebrated in all shapes and sizes. It is amazing how all these variations of French Fries just seem to taste different. These French Fries have their own softness and crunch-factor. Try as many as you can today.
To add to the fun, there are countless condiments and toppings that go with French Fries. Reach out for Ketchup, or try different Sauces and flavors including Nutella!
BY THE NUMBERS
165 pounds – is the amount of Fried Potatoes consumed in Belgium annually by every person.
30 pounds – is the amount of Potato Fries consumed by the average American every year.
1982 – was the year when John Calvi wrote an ode to French Fries which I am going to have Charlie see if he can find and write a report on in his Homeschool Language Arts Class.
7 – the percentage of Potatoes grown in the U.S. that are used by McDonald’s.
2-4 – the age of children at which Fried Potatoes are their highest consumed vegetable.
15 – the types of French Fries available.
NATIONAL FRENCH FRY DAY ACTIVITIES
- Americans usually eat their French Fries with Ketchup, but today you might consider experiencing another Culture’s condiment on National French Fry Day. Folks in Great Britain eat French Fries with Malt and Vinegar. In Vietnam you’d use melted Butter and Sugar on your French Fries.
- Most people cook their French Fries in Salt, and leave it at that. You can sprinkle all kinds of Seasonings on French fries, giving them a different taste. Some people like to use Cajun Seasoning with French Fries. Finding the right Seasoning, is as blasphemous as it sounds. You might even decide to skip dunking French Fries in Ketchup.
- It’s going to be tough to outdo your favorite restaurant’s French Fries, but you can use National French Fry Day as an excuse to prepare French Fries at home. This can be a messy process, especially the frying step, but you can try a few different variations and Seasonings. Even if you don’t succeed, you’ll have a much greater appreciation for the Fry Cook at your local restaurant.
5 FACTS ABOUT FRENCH FRIES
- Did you know French fries were originally known as ‘French Fried Potatoes’ in the U.S. B the 1930s, ‘Potatoes’ was dropped.
- The skin of Potatoes has important nutrients and vitamins that are at times not peeled when making French Fries.
- Steak Fries have lower fat than regular cut French Fries.
- The slang term for Potato, ‘spud,’ comes from the spade-like tool that is used to harvest Potatoes.
- To burn off calories from consuming a medium-sized order of McDonald’s French Fries, you would have to bowl for 90 minutes, bicycle for 58 minutes, or engage in high-impact aerobics for 50 minutes.
WHY PEOPLE LOVE NATIONAL FRENCH FRY DAY
- Did you know the best way to find free French Fries on National French Fry Day is to follow Social Media accounts of restaurants because a few different restaurants will offer free French Fries with a meal purchase or by using a digital coupon or signing up for there app.
- The pairing of French Fries and Hamburgers is ingrained in the American diet. French Fries taste great with different kinds of food, including Sandwiches, Steak, and sometimes Eggs. People will dip their French Fries in Ketchup, you’ll find people also dipping French Fries in plenty of other condiments, including Ranch Salad Dressing, Mustard, and Milkshakes. Some people even eat French Fries plain.
- The thin French Fry sticks, often called Shoestring Fries, which are popular with fast food restaurants and Shoestring Fries the most common type of French Fry. But you can’t stop there. There are Waffle Fries, Steak Fries, Curly Fries, Crinkle-cut Fries, Home Fries, and more. I know it wouldn’t be healthy but I would recommend trying every variation of French Fries on National French Fry Day. To make it easier bring the family to a restaurant that offers a variety of French Fries and order them all and share them with your favorite condiments.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
