Chips have an interesting back story that is rooted in the traditions of communities from Belgium’s river regions, such as Namur, Huy and Dinant.
Supposedly, when the rivers used to freeze over in winter and fishing became impossible, the people who lived in these areas started to fry potatoes cut into a fish shape to replace their catch, therefore creating the first known versions of chips. This solution created from necessity then evolved, turning into the crispy chips we know today.
Synonymous with a much-loved side dish found in every region where it is immensely popular, a staple dish on menus at restaurants, pizzerias, pubs and trattorias, and a true comfort food for some, chips or French fries come from the French “pommes de terre frites”.
Even though some claim that they were first sold in Paris by pre-Revolutionary pedlars in 1789, documents from the 17th century show that the first chips were actually made in the river region of Meuse, in Belgium, more specifically in Namur, the capital of Wallonia.
What we now know as chips seem to come from when the inhabitants of Namur, Huy and Dinant, in the river regions of Belgium, invented the practice of frying potatoes cut into a fish shape when the frozen rivers stopped them from fishing, therefore creating the first chips as a substitute for their catch.
This idea came from necessity, but it evolved into the more practical current form for consumption. They were obviously not made the same way, but it depended on the communities. Similarly, different varieties of potatoes were used, such as Bintje, Innovator or Agria.
Delving briefly into the history books, Joseph Gérard, a French missionary, recalled in some of his research how chips served as a nutritious substitute during the cold Belgian winters, becoming a symbol of resilience and ingenuity.
Today, chips are celebrated in Belgium as an integral part of their culinary culture and in restaurant kitchens all around the world for their flavour.
Interesting facts about chips
Here are some interesting facts about chips:
1. Frozen chips dominate the global market, confirming their place as the best-selling frozen product in the world. In Italy alone every year, consumers fill their shopping baskets with about 250,000 tonnes of frozen chips, which shows their huge success.
2. In northern France, a farmer set a rather odd world record: he cut a 24.5 cm long chip from a 26 cm potato. This mini masterpiece of precision officially entered him into the Guinness Book of World Records.
3. In Belgium, a chip lover etched his name in the history books with an extraordinary feat: he fried 1.5 tonnes of chips in an epic marathon lasting 83 consecutive hours. This result would amaze even the biggest chip lovers, standing head and shoulders above any other huge frying session ever attempted.
