What are frites in Belgium?

Deep-fried potatoes are called different names in different countries, but all stem back to the original Belgian Frites. They are called ‘French fries’ or ‘fries’ in the USA, ‘chips’ in the UK, ‘frites’ in Belgium, ‘patat’ in the Netherlands, and ‘pommes frites’ in France.

What makes Belgian fries different?

Unlike their wimpy, vegetable-oil-fried American progeny, Belgian frites are always thick-cut, made with floury Bintje potatoes, and double-cooked in beef tallow. They’re first pre-fried at a lower heat and then briefly deep-fried at a much higher heat just before serving.

Are fries French or Belgian?

The origin story 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.

What is the difference between fries and frites?

Frites are French fries. Frites is the French word for French fries. In English-speaking countries, frites is used on menus to indicate that the fries are prepared in the Belgian or French style. But more often the word is simply used to make them sound fancier.

Why is Belgium famous for fries?

Belgian fries, not French 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’.

Did Belgium invent French fries?

Belgium lays claim to inventing French fries If you had assumed that the name “French fries” indicates that the classic fried potato dish hails from France, you’d be wrong. According to BBC, the crispy spuds were most likely invented in the country’s northeast neighbor, Belgium.

What’s the difference between French fries and Belgian fries?

But some people say French fries are the thinner version of fries. Belgian fries are cut thicker. As a matter of fact that`s one of the explanation I found in my research, the fries are cut “French” hence the name French fries.

Why are Belgian fries better?

Fatty, Not Greasy The real Belgian frietjes or pommes fritesare thickly cut and quickly fried twice, with some cooling time in between. This makes the fries crunchy on the outside, while they remain soft on the inside. Better yet, they’re not as greasy as thinly cut fries that are baked once at a longer duration.

Which country invented French fries?

Belgium
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 are fries called frites?

“We hand-cut everything. The freshness [of the potato] is what matters to us, not the name. They’re good old fries, but they’re ‘frites’ because we’re a French restaurant.” Sacrebleu?

Why are they called pomme frites?

10/07/2015. “Pommes frites” — obviously French. If you’ve taken a French class, you know that the word “pomme” means “apple” and the word “frite” means fried. So if you order “pommes frites” from a restaurant menu, will your server bring you a heaping plate of fried apples?

Which country has the best fries?

Despite their name, the best French fries are apparently found in Belgium. “Frieten” are even a national dish!