Fact Finder - Food and Drink

Fact
The History of the Potato Chip
Category
Food and Drink
Subcategory
Everyday Foods
Country
United States
Description
The potato chip was allegedly born out of spite in 1853 at Moon's Lake House in Saratoga Springs, New York. Chef George Crum was frustrated by a customer who repeatedly sent back his fried potatoes, complaining they were too thick and soggy. In an attempt to annoy the customer, Crum sliced the potatoes paper-thin, fried them until they were brittle, and doused them in salt. To his surprise, the customer loved them. Originally called 'Saratoga Chips,' they became a local delicacy. They remained a restaurant item until the 1920s when the invention of the moisture-proof bag allowed them to be mass-produced and sold in grocery stores. Today, potato chips are one of the world's most popular everyday snacks.