French Fries Aren’t French?

 From Slurrp:

Who doesn’t love a bowl of French Fries? Literally everyone loves French Fries because they are the perfect blend of salty, crispy and umami. French Fries are also popular worldwide because they are made, traditionally, with potatoes—a veggie that is cheap, easy to grow, and very filling indeed. So, French Fries have now not only made it as one of the most popular snacks in countries like the USA, but also India. But did you know that your favourite golden-coloured, crunchy French Fries aren’t from the nation of France? 

Apart from the very name French Fries, you would naturally assume French Fries to have originated in France because the nation loves its potatoes and is known to create exceptional dishes with the humble veggie. This includes Dauphinoise, Gratin, Lyonnaise and Aligot or mash. The popularity of potatoes in French cuisine can be dated back to the sixteenth century when the veggie first travelled from Latin America to Europe. King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette promoted potato cultivation and the inclusion of the veggie in every aspect of French cuisine throughout their reign. So, how could French Fries be anything but of French origin? 

Some historians suggest, however, that French Fries or Frites were actually invented in Belgium, not France. According to Belgian experts like Jo Gerard and Albert Verdeyen, the invention of French Fries by the Belgians is the stuff of folklore. They believe that the Belgians in the Meuse Valley used to catch fresh fish from the Meuse River and fry them for consumption. In 1680, the winter was so severe that the river froze and their source of fish was cut off. So, the Meuse Valley Belgians cut potatoes into strips and fried them in oil to give birth to French Fries. This origin story is so popular among Belgians that they have even petitioned the UNESCO to recognise French Fries as a prominent part of Belgian cuisine and culture. In fact, the Belgians believe that “French” Fries is a misnomer because the Americans who popularised them later could not differentiate between the various French-speaking cultures of Europe. 

The French Fries Argument

On the other side of the great French Fries origin story, there are other experts who believe that the dish was invented in France and taken to Belgium, where it was discovered by American soldiers during the Second World War. In fact, one of the most prominent arguments are made by a Belgian historian, Pierre Leqluercq. Leqluercq believes that the first record of French Fries can be traced back to a Parisian book in 1775, and the first French Fries recipe was found in a French cookbook, La Cuisinere Republicaine, in 1795. These Parisian French Fries inspired musician Frederic Kieger to take the recipe to Belgium, where he sold them under the name ‘la pomme de terre frite a l’instar de Paris’ (roughly translated to Paris-style fried potatoes). (Read more.)

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