Why Are French Fries So Popular In Belgium?

While french fries are a menu staple around the world, some destinations seem to be more synonymous with the fried potatoes than others. Out of all those locations, consider Belgium to be the harbinger of this beloved side dish. According to Statista, the country produced 2.3 millions tons of fries in 2018, and per Produce Processing, that makes them the world's largest exporter of frozen potatoes. 

This Western European country loves its Belgian "frites," so there's always a shack or a shop waiting with a cone full of crispy fries dotting most of its corners. To per things in perspective, in this small country of 10 million people, there are more than 5,000 fry vendors, per Reuters. That's eleven times as many fries stands per Belgian as there is a McDonald's per American, and it's a fact that leads most Belgians to consume about 165 pounds of fries a year (per Reuters).

Often served in a cone topped with mayonnaise and a small fork, fries have practically become the country's national dish by now, according to Fortune. So, why does Belgium love its fries so much? Here's makes this common treat especially tasty here and why many people credit the region with their invention.

Contrary to popular belief, the french fry did not originate in France, according to National Geographic. The credit, it seems, should go to Belgium instead. Per the Hindustan Times, the true origin of french fries goes all the way back to the late 1600s. 

Per the BBC, while Winters in Belgium were growing especially cold, villagers from a region called Namur would sometimes fry up potatoes and other root plants instead of their usual catches of fish. So, if this common side dish comes from Belgium, why do we call them french fries? According to the BBC, that's all thanks to the misunderstanding of a few American troops that were stationed in a Belgian town near France. They called the fries given to them by Belgian locals "french fries," and the name stuck for many Americans. 

While France and Belgium still quarrel over who the founder of fries really is, Belgium seems to be the one that can truly lay claim to the dish. (The country even sought heritage status for its frites in 2018.) Despite its disputable origins, there's another reason why fries are especially renowned in Belgium. The answer lies in the country's dedication to a stellar flavor. 

While there's probably a lot you didn't know about french fries, now you can understand why they're such a huge part of the Belgian identity. Not only are locals proud that such a popular dish has its origins in Belgium, they're also fond of the area's dedication to its flavor. 

So, what do chefs here do to set Belgian frites apart from fries sold anywhere else? According to Taste Cooking, fries in Belgium are usually made thick-cut, and it's custom to fry up a bintje potato rather than a high-starch russet. (Russets are common fry choices at other eateries, according to the Ontario Potato Board.) In addition, cooks fry their Belgian fries in a special cooking oil that is a mix of horse and cow fat, per The Culture Trip; they are then double-cooked for extra crispiness.

It's not all about history, as the popularity of Belgium's fries is also thanks to its process. That's why Belgian frites are a must-try if you ever find yourself in Belgium.