Thomas Jefferson was the logical choice. However, the question of who Invented french fries is a hotly disputed topic between the Belgians and the French. Curly-que french fries have been around longer than Id ever suspected. But what would these indispensable favorites be without their best-loved side dish,the omnipresent, alcohol-absorbent french fry that we eat 4.5 billion pounds ofper year via Grit)? A fine Frenchy fry, but far from Jack in the Box's best-fried potato side (the Bacon Cheddar Wedges beat these, too). (We, in the twenty-first century, know that it was the start of the French Revolution. Unfortunately, there was an even more tragic postscript to the James Hemings story. I know versions of his diary exist elsewhere, but the war time entries can be found, Thank you for sharing that, Adam. Founding Father, president, foodie? To say Thomas Jefferson was an important figure in U.S. history would be putting it mildly. In the Mediterranean countries, you can find fries wrapped in pita bread, whether that be in a Greek gyro or a Lebanese shawarma on the street corner. The town calls itself the French fry capital of the world due to McCains production of fries. While he was serving as the U.S. Minister to France in the early 1790s, Jefferson developed a liking for the fried potatoes that were popular in Belgian cafes. They provide frozen fries both for commercial produce in the food services sector and for home cooking, about 90 and 10 percent respectively. To link to this article in the text of an online publication, please use this URL: https://historycooperative.org/origin-of-french-fries/. [17]Jefferson to Evans, November 1, 1801.. Cooking fries on an open rack instead of on a baking sheet made them super crispy. One of the dinner party guests, Massachusetts congressman Rev. One of those two countries, incidentally, likely deserves the credit for "inventing" the french fry. Wherever the French fry may have originated, it is America who popularized it throughout the world. Many historians agree that the true origins of french fries start from Belgium. Belgian villagers uses to slice their fish really thin, fry them and eat them as a snack. However, the influence between the two countries was not one-sided: It was during his travels that Jefferson was introduced to the simple delights of French cuisine and adored it so much he arranged for Hemings to train in traditional French cooking while in Paris (viaThe Jefferson Monticello). One story is that the phrase "French Fried Potatoes" first appeared in English in 1856 in the cookbook Cookery for Maids of All Work by E. Warren. These are often served topped with a blue cheese dressing. It was these Parisian fries that inspired Frederic Krieger, a musician from Bavaria who learned how to make these fries in Paris, to take the recipe to Belgium. While Chef James Hemings is not widely known, he introduced some of the most iconic dishes to America by way of Philadelphia when it was still the nation's capital. As it turns out, Americans have been devouring french fries in various forms for hundreds of years;the ones served at Jefferson's Virginia home, as relayed by a relative, were likely cut "in shavings round and round, as you would peel a lemon" (via National Geographic). Parmentier came across the potato as a Prussian prisoner and was determined to popularize it among his people. Different cultures have different ways of serving the dish and each undoubtedly thinks theirs is the best way. In 1967, McDonalds reached out to them to supply McDonalds with frozen fries. Thomas Jefferson, that American President who was also a connoisseur of good food, had a dinner at the White House in 1802 and served potatoes served in the French manner. This meant cutting potatoes into thin slices and shallow frying them. Ingredients: Potatoes, Vegetable Oil (canola Oil, Corn Oil, Soybean Oil, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Natural Beef Flavor [wheat And Milk Derivatives]*), Dextrose, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate (maintain Color), Salt. Besides being elected as the nation's third president, Jefferson wrote the first draft of the Declaration of Independenceand brokered the Louisiana Purchase, acquiring land for 13 future states for 3 cents an acre. The expression French Fried Potatoes first occurs in print in English in the 1856 work, Charles Dickens, who was surprisingly something of a 17th-century foodie, was the first author to pen french fries into literature. Fries are also a regular side dish eaten in various South American countries. This could explain the rumor that "fries" became popular in Belgium . North Americans refer to any elongated pieces of fried potatoes asfries, while in theUnited Kingdom,Australia,IrelandandNew Zealand, long, thinly cut slices of fried potatoes are often calledfriesto distinguish them from the more thickly cut strips calledchips. He was a medical officer who served in France during the Seven Year's War. [21]W. P. Cutler and J. P. Cutler, Life, Journals and Correspondence of Rev. No recipes or menus exist from the dinner parties Jefferson hosted. Nearly as soon as Jefferson got settled in Paris at his Htel dOrlans[5]on the Rue de Richelieu (before finally settling in at his Htel de Langeac residence), he enrolled James in a three-year apprenticeship to learn classic French cuisine. Photo Credit: Potato Champion Instagram Page 1. In France, the dish is called pain perdu, meaning lost bread. Why lost bread? show more content There is also a strong and growing trend of bilingualism in Canada. The French Fry, that innocuous sounding name for potatoes deep-fried in oil and served without fail at all American fast food joints, are probably not even French after all. It was first called French fried potatoes before the name was shortened to French frieds or French fries.. [11]The tutorial lessons also made use of the ~150 French recipes collected by Hemings and Jefferson, one of which quite likely was how To fry sliced potatos (French fries). Belgium has even petitioned UNESCO so that the French fry may be recognised as a prominent part of Belgian cultural heritage. A popular American favorite is chili cheese fries, a dish consisting of fries smothered in spicy chili and melted cheese. What else could French fries just as easily be known as, if this name had not become so iconic? According National Geographic, French vendors in the 18th century were prone to selling fries on the street, specifically in Pont Neuf in Paris. 1. The average American eats about 29 pounds of them on a yearly basis. There were many other European foods Jefferson adored and introduced to the United States, reveals Craughwell, like crme brle and the ever-popular mac and cheese. Maybe a reader can shed light? Im glad you enjoyed the article & thank you for the nice words! Yes, there was a time when some Americans decided to call French fries "freedom fries"embarrassingly, a number of those people happened to be elected officials in the U.S. House of . While there are those of you who may be thinking about Belgium's claims to be the source of the french fry as far back as 1680, France inarguably did a great job assimilating deep-fried, potato-y goodness into its own cooking with dishes like steak frites and it was from France with love that Jefferson and Hemings brought it to America. Copyright 2015-2022 - South Florida Reporter. In 1680, during one very cold winter, the Meuse River froze over. It was the site of Evanss tavern and the starting point for both the Philadelphia and southern mail stages (The New Baltimore Directory, and Annual Register; For 1800 and 1801 [Baltimore, 1801], 6, 12, 37)., Editorial comments by editors Founders Online, National Archives. This allows it to fry better and be crispier in texture. [15]Evans offered Jefferson his own perceived reason: as I am rather inclined to believe that, he would not answer your purposes from his being overly fond of liquor.[16]Three weeks after becoming president in March 1801 and still with no word from Hemings, Jefferson wrote to Evans that, after having so long rested on the expectation of having him . How old is the United States of America? Between the 1850s and 1930s, French fries were known more illustratively as "French fried potatoes" in America. Because the Belgians spoke French, the Americans called it French Friets, which got quickly Americanized into French Fries. Over time, people cultivated potato variants . Today, Americans on average eat 30 pounds of French fries a year many as a salty fast-food side dish (via The Daily Meal). [3]I propose for a particular purpose to carry my servant Jame with me. Thomas Jefferson to William Short, May 7, 1784,Founders Online, National Archives, founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-07-02-0171, accessed April 11, 2019 (Original source: The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, vol. Julien worked out so well that he stayed on as Jeffersons chef at the Presidents House through both terms of the presidency.[20]. A little salt also adds to the taste. Today, of course, the worldwide popularity of McDonalds and Burger King and Wendy's and their ilk have brought French fries to the world. President Thomas Jefferson brought the method back to the colonies. French pharmacist and agronomist Antoine-Augustin Parmentier famously. It made its debut appearance at Dundee Market where it was traded by a Belgian immigrant named Edward De Gernier. The restaurant is quick and easy with outdoor tables to enjoy the summer weather. Both sides kept their word on the agreement and Hemings was freed in 1796. Guests were delighted and somewhat baffled by the delicacy. We couldn't find a french fry specialist to confirm this theory. Accessed March 4, 2023. The event, which started at 4:00 p.m., was hosted by Jefferson with the planning and execution of the gourmet menu by Hemings. Venture into an American restaurant or pub these days, and you're likely to encounter classic offerings like burgers, hearty sandwiches, and pulled pork or BBQ. But in the harsh winter season the . Chicken Fries. One of Jefferson's slaves, James Hemings, likely picked up the recipe while training to be a chef at a country estate where French kings would drop by for lunch (via Journal of the American Revolution.). and yet the fear of his drinking . Find your nearest Jack in the Box here. The First French Fries Created in the United States Vicky Wasik Ethan K. February 9, 2021 Although Thomas Jefferson is widely credited with bringing the french fry to the United States from Paris, his slave, a man named James Hemings, actually brought the french fry to America. Sorensen is a PhD expert in 18th- and 19th-century cooking methods used by Virginia housewives and slaves, including those who cooked for Thomas Jefferson. https://www.heritageharvestfestival.com/speakers/dr-leni-sorensen/accessed September 12, 2019. Statistics have shown that Belgium consumes the largest amount of French fries in the world, a third more than the US does. In between these two achievements, Jefferson did another thing that has had an enduring impact: He introduced the country to french fries. Sweet potatoes arent actually potatoes. Jefferson called his French fries pommes de terre frites cru en petites tranches which is an elaborate description rather than a name of a dish, meaning potatoes deep-fried while raw, in small cuttings. Again, why choose the name pommes instead of patate which means potato in French? The Meuse river had plenty of fish that villagers would catch and slice up to fry. At Monticello, his plantation, he purportedly planted an extensive garden with over 300 kinds of vegetables, notes The Jefferson Monticello, along with orchards of apple, peach, apricot, and almond trees, and experimented with testing various imported plants' suitability to the Virginian climate. Nevertheless, we can thank him for the ideahis handwritten recipe predates cookbook French fry recipes by half a century. Most people in the country turned up their noses at the foreign vegetable, and it was considered edible for only hogs. Who was the first person to think up deep fried potatoes? Culinary biographer Thomas J. Craughwell relatesthat this stood in stark contrast to the majority of French citizens, who rejected the crown's wasteful excess and turned instead to simple, yet refined, cooking practices that one American president would fall in love with. French Fries are one of many foods whose name is most misleading, as the origins of this fat fried food seem to be in Belgium. [12]William Evans conducted the inn at the sign of the Indian Queen located at 187 Baltimore Streetcommonly called Marketthe principal street in Baltimore. [25]The recipe for Jefferson-era: Fried Potatoes was published online December 2, 2011 by Leni Sorensen: https://www.monticello.org/site/blog-and-community/posts/jefferson-era-recipe-fried-potatoes; accessed September 10, 2019. Why do the British call French fries chips? [24]Now owner of Indigo House, Dr. Despite its name and popularity, the French fries are not French. Take care that your fat and frying-pan are quite clean; put it on a quick fire, watch it, and as soon as the lard boils and is still, put in the slices of potatoes, and keep moving them till they are crisp; take them up and lay them to drain on a sieve; send them up with very little salt sprinkled on them.[26]. In between these two achievements, Jefferson did another thing that has had an enduring impact: He introduced the country to french fries. Who brought French fries to America? And certainly, there can be no forgetting the American fries which are an irreplaceable part of so many meals. Barbara B. Oberg (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2006), 38-39). Rice soup, round of beef, turkey, mutton, lamb, loin of veal, cutlets of mutton or veal, fried eggs, fried beef, a pie called macaroni, which appeared to be a rich crust filled with the strillions of onions, or shallots, which I took it to be, tasted very strong, and not agreeable. . However all of these versions of the fried potato came to exist, there can only be one beginning. Europeans were convinced that potatoes brought diseases and might even be poisonous. They attribute the name to the cultural hegemony exercised by the French in the area. Once considered the national dish of England, they serve their thick-cut fries (known as chips) with battered and fried fish and an array of condiments, from vinegar to tartar sauce to mushy peas. But its very likely that, along with Hemingss learned dishes of crme brule (burnt cream), meringues, French-style crme Chantilly (whipped cream), macaroni and cheese, was a dish served as pommes de terre frites cru, en petites tranches[7](potatoes deep-fried while raw, in small cuttings). Thinner fries may be referred to as skinny fries. 33, 17 February30 April 1801, ed. French fries. Yes, Thomas Jefferson is typically credited with bringing french fries to America. But we also know that Jefferson got around in his life. John Fries led a group of farmers in eastern Pennsylvania to rebel against property taxes on buildings, land, and slaves (Miller Center). Another story, which is more likely, is that they were first called "French Fries" by American soldiers stationed in Belgium during World War I. Eight months after taking the presidential oath, Jefferson wrote to Evans asking him to confirm a rumor he had been told that Hemings had, committed an act of suicide.[17]Evans replied that unfortunately it was true: I received your favour of the 1st Instant, and am sorry to inform you that the report respecting James Hennings Having commited an act of Suicide is true. Canadiansserve uppoutine, a dish consisting of french fries and cheese curds, topped with brown gravy! Around the 1930s, everybody dropped the "potatoes" on the end and just . Fries are often salted and served with other items, including ketchup, mayonnaise, or vinegar. There are three different ways you can cite this article. 7, 2 March 178425 February 1785, ed. . Once there, he opened his own business and began to sell fries under the name la pomme de terre frite linstar de Paris which translated to Paris-style fried potatoes.. Jefferson wrote to Evans that Hemings was an affectionate & honest servant to me . The poor residents in the area ate fish as their main food source. . In Italy, some pizza shops even sell pizzas topped with French fries. By 1787, Hemings was apprenticing for the master chef de cuisine at Chteau de Chantilly, the country estate of Louis-Joseph de Bourbon (prince de Cond), where sometimes even French kings used to drop in for lunch. We just dont know which ones. Dickens wrote about dozens of. Not being able to access the small fish that they caught from the river and fried, the people instead cut potatoes into strips and fried them in oil. Many Belgians insist that the name French fry is a misnomer, coming about because the wider world cannot differentiate between the different Francophone cultures. It is also one reason that the name of the person who created this dish will perhaps never be known, since it was common street food. According to the 1986 census, 16 percent of the population spoke both English and French, again with the province of Qubec leading the way. [22]Miller, The Presidents Kitchen Cabinet, 75. Where the Canadians came up with this recipe is not quite clear, but by all accounts it is delicious. During a brief period of history, French fries were also known by the name freedom fries in the United States. Poutine is a Canadian . If Francophone fries was not such a mouthful and French fries not so established a name, perhaps we should change the name if only to give the Belgians their due for their passion for the topic. Cutler? Your email address will not be published. French fries (or rather Belgian fries) arrived in the US in the late 1700s. STEP 2 Drain the potatoes well and pat dry with kitchen paper. French fries go with mayonnaise, tomato sauce, peanut sauce, tartar sauce, ketchup, and other sauces. Sign up to receive news right to your inbox every day. The reason for this is that it was believed that French fries were first prepared and sold by cart vendors on the Pont Neuf Bridge in Paris. Indeed, the name French fries has become so well-known in food history, become popular among cultures throughout the world, and has spawned such lively debates that it would be futile and foolish to do away with it. Search for: . At the Boise Fry Company, you get your choice of six different potatoes (russet, gold, red lady, sweet potato, yam and purple) and cuts (regular, homestyle, curly, shoestring and the Tater Tot-like po'balls), plus . The thicker the potatoes are cut, the thinner the fat content. Drain and dry. Mr. Lewis told me there were none in it; it was an Italian dish, and what appeared like onions was made of flour and butter, with a particularly strong liquor mixed with them. [8]Thomas J. Craughwell, Thomas Jeffersons Crme Brulee: How a Founding Father and his Slave James Hemings Introduced French Cuisine to America(Philadelphia, PA: Quirk Books, 2012), 74. And what Americans refer to as potato chips are called crisps by the denizens of the United Kingdom and Ireland. Why apple, you may ask. As such, the idea of French fries was known in the US long before the first world war and discredits the popular theory of how the French fries came to have that name. The European Space Agency did a study to see how fries would be in space. The other opinion is that Thomas Jefferson brought the fried potato to America after coming across the dish in Paris. Though French fries were invented in Europe, the potatoes, from which they are made, originated in the Americas and were imported. The North America French Fries market size was valued at $7,758.9 million in 2018 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.2% to reach $ 9,948.3 million in 2026. The origins can be found in Belgium, where historians claim potatoes were being fried in the late-1600s. Another name for French fries in France is pomme Pont-Neuf. They are the national snack there and are often served as steak-frites, alongside steak, in France. Deep frying potatoes in oil or even hot fat is the usual method of preparation but they can also be baked in an oven or prepared by convection in an air fryer, which is a slightly healthier way of making them instead of the deep fried version. On Thursday, March 26, just three days after closing our survey, a 7-alarm fire broke out on New York's Lower East Side, on 2nd Avenue between 7th and 8th Streets, following a gas explosion. . The WWI story, as endearing as it might be, almost certainly isn't true. The Death of James Hemings [I] wrote to Philadelphia, where I have been successful in getting a cook equal to my wishes.. Slice the potatoes into sticks and place them in a bowl filled with hot water. No American fast food chain is complete without fries. As with ice cream, he discovered the dish while living in France and became so enamored with it that he sketched a maccaroni machine. The fried foods showing up were fried eggs and fried beef, but, alas, no fried potatoes: Feb. 6, Saturday. Is there any source for the first names of the party goers mentioned by Rev. This is a question that might never be answered since French fries were almost certainly a product of street cooking, without any reliable originators. Alexa was not able to answer this question until the person above taught it how to. President social. He wasnt even in Boatners AmRev encyclopedia and some other sources. Its generally accepted that at least some of the Mary Randolph cookbook entries might also contain recipes that James Hemings had brought back from France and taught to Monticello cooks in that 1793-1796 time period. You can never have too much fried food and one without the other does not feel right. A few different companies make them, just make sure they have the ingredient that were looking for: dextrose.