Food - Drink
The Origin Of French Fries Might Surprise You
By LAUREN ROTHMAN
There’s no wrong way to cook a potato, from mashed potatoes to tater tots, chips, and of course, the beloved French fry. French fries are perfect on their own or as an accompaniment to a juicy burger, but while munching on these crispy spuds, you’ve probably caught yourself wondering, are French fries actually French?
Contrary to popular belief, the “French” in French fry does not indicate that the dish hails from France. Instead, it is more likely that the popular treat originated in Belgium, France's neighbor, where a legend says that in the winter of 1680, the fried-fish-loving residents of the town Namur were forced to find another food to cook when the river froze over.
So why are they called "French" fries? French fries should actually be called "French fried potatoes" since the phrase "French fries" likely alludes to the cooking method known as "Frenching," which includes slicing food to expose all sides to the oven's heat for even cooking.