Potato fries: from a humble root to a global cultShe is golden, crispy, salty, and incredibly hot. She appears on tables in fast-food restaurants and high-end restaurants, at picnics and at official receptions. Potato fries are not just a side dish, but a cultural phenomenon that unites countries, continents, and generations. But where and when was this divine snack born? Who was the genius who first cut potatoes into sticks and threw them into boiling oil? And why, despite all the disputes, we continue to argue about who is the real father of potato fries? Let's embark on this delicious investigation and also learn how to eat it in different parts of the world.Belgian trace: history that no one wants to recognizeIf you ask an American where potato fries come from, he will probably shrug his shoulders and say: \"Well, it's called French fries, so it must be from France.\" This widespread misconception persists in the public consciousness. However, most historians and culinary experts agree that the birthplace of potato fries is Belgium. And there are strong evidence for this.In the Belgian village of Namur, in the region of Wallonia, there has been a tradition of frying potatoes in oil for a long time. Local residents say that as early as the 17th century, poor families fried small fish from the Meuse River to diversify their diet. But in winter, when the river froze and the fish was unavailable, they cut potatoes into the shape of fish and fried them in oil. Thus, the idea was born that later became iconic.In Belgium, potato fries are not just food, but part of the national identity. There is even a saying: \"To understand Belgium, you need to eat its fries.\" Belgians respect the tradition: they fry potatoes twice - first at a low temperature so that they are cooked inside, and then at a higher temperature so that the crispy crust appears. It is the double frying that is the main secret of Belgian potato fries.France as a popularizer: how the dish conquered the wo ... Read more