Why are French fries from Belgium?

Despite its name and popularity, the French fries are not French. The origins can be found in Belgium, where historians claim potatoes were being fried in the late-1600s. According to Belgian lore, poor villagers living in Meuse Valley would often ate small fried fish they caught in the river.

Why is Belgium known for fries?

The misnomer stems from a geographical error during World War I, when American soldiers stationed in Belgium believed they were situated in France (due to the fact that part of Belgium speaks French). When introduced to the delicacy, the soldiers nicknamed these fried potatoes ‘French fries’.

What is the difference between Belgian and French fries?

But some people say French fries are the thinner version of fries. Belgian fries are cut thicker. You can find a “friterie” or “frituur” (a place where they only sell fries) in even the smallest town. They are served with a wide variety of sauces and snacks.

Why fries are called French fries?

In winter, when the river froze, the fish-deprived villagers fried potatoes instead. It’s said that this dish was discovered by American soldiers in Belgium during World War I and, since the dominant language of southern Belgium is French, they dubbed the tasty potatoes “French” fries.

Why is French fries not called Belgian fries?

The Belgian tourism board claims that Belgian fries – les frites – were incorrectly named ‘French fries’ by American servicemen when they came to Belgium at the end of WWI. The French fries mislabel was reportedly the result of naming the fries after the French language spoken in Wallonia.

Why are French fries called chips?

Brits call chips chips because they are chips of potato which have been deep fried. Americans call French fries French fries because they are a skinny Americanised version of chips which originally came from Belgium, and Americans presumably don’t know the difference between Belgium and France.

What country invented French fries?

Belgium
Common lore claims that the original fry was born in Namur in francophone Belgium, where the locals were particularly fond of fried fish. When the River Meuse froze over one cold winter in 1680, people ostensibly fried potatoes instead of the small fish they were accustomed to, and the fry was born.

Who brought French fries to America?

Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson—possibly the first American foodie—is generally credited with introducing the French fry to America; and in his case the fries were definitely French, Jefferson having encountered them while serving as American Minister to France from 1784 to 1789.

What are the different brands of Fries in the Netherlands?

Three premium brands are ‘Van Dobben’, ‘Holtkamp’ and ‘Kwekkeboom’. The Dutch version of French Fries has many different words: ‘Friet’, ‘Frites’, ‘Patat’ or ‘Vlaamse frieten’. They are thicker than the normal French Fries and invented in the northern part of Belgium.

Can you order Dutch Fries like a Dutchie?

But, if you want to order Dutch fries just like a Dutchie, here are some things you can request: Patat zonder — fries without. Fries, fries, and more fries with zero sauce. Nada, zip, zero. Patat met — fries with mayonnaise. Easily the most popular with Dutchies, this is fries just with mayonnaise.

What is the sauce on french fries called?

It might seem strange to people from Anglophone countries, but in the Netherlands french fries are commonly served with a sweet, yellow sauce known as fritessaus that shares many characteristics with mayonnaise.

What is the most popular Dutch food?

Delicious & Famous Dutch Food 1 Stroopwafel. Popular throughout the world, the ‘stroopwafel’ is undoubtedly 2 Kroket. The Netherlands is not known for its fabulous cuisine. 3 Patat. The Dutch version of French Fries has many different words: ‘Friet’, ‘Frites’, 4 Poffertjes. A traditional Dutch batter treat is ‘poffertjes’.