It wasn't that long ago that they celebrated National French Fry Day in the States. Now, here's something interesting to drop into any culinary conversation: in far too many countries outside America and Europe, those French fries are called "American fries". Hardly accurate, but then again, perhaps calling those fries French in the first place might not be that accurate either. That's because there are many clues that they may have originated in ... Belgium. And here are some of those clues.
Clue #1: When potatoes when first arrived in France in the early 17th century, they were banned on the grounds that they caused leprosy. Oh, and syphilis, narcosis, sterility, rampant sexuality and early death, as well. In fact, potatoes were so unpopular it was against the law to cultivate them. A good start to today's favourite fast food, then.
Clue #2: The river Meuse runs through Belgium, providing its inhabitants with a plentiful supply of small, friable fish - until it freezes over. It did just that in the 1680s, meaning that the supply of fish had, er, dried up. Instead, then, someone had the bright idea of using the fryer they normally used for those fish for some fish-shaped potato slices instead, creating not just a warming meal for the day, but also culinary history.
Clue #3: In Belgium today, those fries are called "frites", and at 75kg of them each year per person, Belgians eat more frites than any other European nationality - and around 30% more than your average American.
Clue #4: The frite experience doesn't just depend on the recipe of twice-fried potatoes, but also very much on the mayonnaise-based sauces on top of them. In many bars around Belgium, it's quite acceptable to pick up some frites from a nearby friterie and bring them in to enjoy with the beer you buy in there.
As for any conclusion based on the evidence presented above? Not a lot - just hunger pangs and a sudden craving for frites, a mayonnaise-based sauce and a glass or two of one of Belgium's famous beers. But which beer? With hundreds of different ales and beers brewed throughout the country, that could be a difficult decision!
Clue #1: When potatoes when first arrived in France in the early 17th century, they were banned on the grounds that they caused leprosy. Oh, and syphilis, narcosis, sterility, rampant sexuality and early death, as well. In fact, potatoes were so unpopular it was against the law to cultivate them. A good start to today's favourite fast food, then.
Clue #2: The river Meuse runs through Belgium, providing its inhabitants with a plentiful supply of small, friable fish - until it freezes over. It did just that in the 1680s, meaning that the supply of fish had, er, dried up. Instead, then, someone had the bright idea of using the fryer they normally used for those fish for some fish-shaped potato slices instead, creating not just a warming meal for the day, but also culinary history.
Clue #3: In Belgium today, those fries are called "frites", and at 75kg of them each year per person, Belgians eat more frites than any other European nationality - and around 30% more than your average American.
Clue #4: The frite experience doesn't just depend on the recipe of twice-fried potatoes, but also very much on the mayonnaise-based sauces on top of them. In many bars around Belgium, it's quite acceptable to pick up some frites from a nearby friterie and bring them in to enjoy with the beer you buy in there.
As for any conclusion based on the evidence presented above? Not a lot - just hunger pangs and a sudden craving for frites, a mayonnaise-based sauce and a glass or two of one of Belgium's famous beers. But which beer? With hundreds of different ales and beers brewed throughout the country, that could be a difficult decision!
About the Author:
Good food does not always have to be complicated. Belgique's bierodrome exemplifies that belief, serving gourmet Belgian cuisine in a warm and welcoming environment. Belgique online delivers this experience, plus Belgian Food and much more for you to enjoy in your own home.
