Published By: Rohit Chatterjee

Trivia: French Fries – Did You Know These Fries Aren’t Really French?

An alternative for fried aquatic creatures, French fries originated in the Meuse Valley

French fries are one of the most loved snacks in the world. However, despite being loved and consumed by millions, a good majority of people believe they originated in France because of their name—a myth that needs to be busted.

Meuse Valley

Poor villages in the Meuse Valley of Belgium used to consume fried aquatic creatures. However, during the winters, the river water froze.

Enter potatoes

Therefore, in the late 1600s, villagers turned to potatoes, cut them in julienne style, and deep-fried them.

Why French fries

American soldiers were stationed in Belgium during WWI, and Belgium’s official language was French.

French fries

American soldiers nicknamed the fries “French fries”, and the name stuck around.

Credit

Decades later, people are still giving credit to the wrong country.