10 Fun Facts About French Fries You Probably Didn’t Know for National French Fry Day

October Gallery Museum
Connecting People with Art since 1985
Whether you love them curly, waffle, crinkle-cut, shoestring, or loaded with toppings, here are 10 fun facts that might make you appreciate your fries even more.
Golden, crispy, salty, and impossible to resist. French fries are one of the world’s favorite comfort foods, and National French Fry Day is the perfect excuse to order an extra side.
Whether you love them curly, waffle, crinkle-cut, shoestring, or loaded with toppings, here are 10 fun facts that might make you appreciate your fries even more.
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Despite the name, many historians believe French fries actually originated in Belgium, where villagers were frying potatoes as early as the late 1600s. The “French” name may have come from American soldiers who encountered them in French-speaking Belgium during World War I.
The average American eats nearly 30 pounds of French fries each year, making them one of the country’s most popular side dishes.
No surprise here. McDonald’s serves billions of orders of fries every year, making it the world’s largest French fry seller.
One of America’s Founding Fathers, Thomas Jefferson, is credited with serving “potatoes served in the French manner” at the White House in the early 1800s.
Besides regular fries, there are:
Everyone has a favorite.
Around the world, fries are paired with:
Luxury restaurants have created gourmet French fries topped with ingredients like truffle oil, edible gold, premium cheeses, and rare truffles, with one famous order costing nearly $200.
The holiday has become one of the most anticipated food celebrations of the summer, with restaurants across the country offering free fries and special deals.
The perfect fry combines a crispy exterior with a soft, fluffy inside. That satisfying crunch comes from the Maillard reaction, which occurs when potatoes are cooked at high temperatures.
French fries are one of the few foods with their very own emoji, proving they’re officially part of internet culture.
No matter how you like them, French fries continue to be one of the world’s most popular comfort foods.
Whether you’re a fan of classic fast-food fries or gourmet loaded creations, there’s no denying they’ve earned their place as one of the most beloved side dishes of all time.
10 Fun Facts About French Fries You Probably Didn’t Know for National French Fry Day was originally published on hot1009.com
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The October Gallery Museum places art in the community. Here are partner locations where you can have an art experience.
Some locations art is installed inside buildings and visits are during regular business hours. Other locations are by appointment only. Schools are not open to the public. In addition, we have many outdoor installations that you can enjoy around the clock. Check each location below for details. Tours are available upon request. 215-352-3114.
Here are some of our patrons that have donated art and art related items installed as part of our Art in the Community program. Thanks!
Watson and Sonia Brown
Stephanie Daniel
Chad Cortez Everett
Gail Gaines
Dr. Darryl J. Ford
Kelly R. Harrison
Deborah Kelly
Betty Ann D. Lawrence
David Lawrence
Leon McDuffie
Michael Muhammad
Jay R. Ogilvie
Marjorie H. Ogilvie
Junious Rhone, Sr.
Robin Rhone
Shirley Rhone
April Rice
Karen Roach
Monica Rocha
Steve Satell
Deborah Stephens
Staci Watson
Stephanie R. West
Horace Wright

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Art and art related items may be returned to October Gallery in good condition within twenty (20) days of the purchase for store credit ONLY – unless otherwise stated on an invoice.
Items on layaway or even items paid for will be held by the gallery for no more than ninety (90) days from the original sale date. Refund is in store credit ONLY – unless other stated on an invoice.