10 Interesting facts about French Fries
French Fries are not called that in France. They are known as frites, patates frites, or pommes frites in French.
Whether you prefer calling them ‘chips’ or ‘french fries’ there is no denying that this golden delight is the ultimate feel-good food.
But how well do you know your comfort food?
Here are a few facts you may have not known about french fries to sharpen your general knowledge this French Fry Day:
1. The origin of French fries is Belgium. According to some historians, potatoes were being fried by 1680 in the Meuse Valley of Belgium. Locals often ate small fried fish, when the river was frozen they used potatoes as a substitute. They used to cut potatoes lengthwise and fry them in oil to use them as a fish substitute.
2. French fries were introduced in the US when Thomas Jefferson was President in 1801.
3. According to reports Americans eat more than 16 pounds of French Fries every year.
4. Production of potatoes was more than 320 million tons in 2007, about 2/3 of this was consumed as food.
5. French Fries are not called that in France. They are known as frites, patates frites, or pommes frites in French. These names are also used in many non-French areas.
6. Potatoes are a great source of fiber and French fries are made from potatoes. Fiber helps pass waste through your system and lower cholesterol, consumption of a certain amount of fiber becomes inevitable. Your body may suffer from indigestion and stomach problems without fiber.
7. When you eat French fries, you are also getting some potassium, a nutrient present in potatoes. The energy you require throughout the day can be obtained from potassium. You may become more tired, have slower reflexes, and have weaker muscles without adequate potassium.
8. You body needs vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, this can be found in French Fries. Women may get even better benefits as B6 helps prevent bloating, menopause, and hormonal swings during the monthly cycle.
9. Pregnant and nursing women should avoid French Fries due to the presence of a cancer-causing agent called acrylamide.
10. Potatoes are rich in kukoamines, the molecule that lowers the blood pressure. Your blood pressure can be lowered by eating French Fries everyday.
Happy French Fry Day! That’s ‘Fry day’ not Friday ;)
(Image from https://www.chiantilvpa.com/menu/french-fries/)
