10x what you need to know about McDonald’s French fries

Those fries suddenly end up in the paper bag with your hamburger and cola because you said ‘yes’ to the meal deal. And then you finish them first, because they’re delicious. Do you already know these 10 facts about McDonald’s French fries?

They’re ordered more than anything else on the menu

They were already on the menu at the very first McDonald’s in San Bernardino (in California), and they’re still the most popular item on the menu. Around 4 million kilos of fries are sold worldwide every day.

Fresh fries? Just ask

Sometimes people ask for fries without salt to make sure they get freshly cooked fries. That isn’t necessary: if you want fresh fries, you can simply ask for them. If you’re at McDonald’s during the rush hour, your fries will definitely have just been cooked, because it’s happening continuously.

They aren’t vegetarian (in America)

In America, flavor enhancers made from beef are added to the oil, so the fries aren’t vegetarian there. In Europe, however, they’re fried in 100 percent vegetable oil, so they’re even vegan.

They’re genuinely made from potatoes (duh)

Unlike most fast-food fries, which are made from mashed potatoes pressed into the shape of a fry, McDonald’s fries are genuinely thinly sliced potatoes.

They all brown evenly—and that’s no coincidence

First, the potatoes go through a bath to remove the sugar from them. The more sugar in the fries, the browner they fry, which is why one fry would turn a different color from another during cooking. But that’s not the intention: all the fries should brown evenly! That’s why, after their sugar wash, the fries receive a coating of dextrose, so they all brown to exactly the same color. This also prevents the fries from turning gray before they’re cooked.

They’re fried, then frozen and transported to the restaurants

The fries are deep-fried for about a minute at the fry factory. They’re then frozen and taken to the restaurants. They go into the fryer frozen for their second round of cooking.

The fries’ recipe has been changed

Until 1992, the fries were cooked in frying fat containing beef dripping. That’s animal fat; its official name is even beef tallow. To reduce the amount of saturated fat, the burger chain switched to vegetable oil.

Six fries are actually enough

According to Eric Rimm, a professor of nutrition science, it’s healthier and better to eat fewer fries. His idea: six French fries with your meal, plus a healthy salad or a generous portion of green vegetables. Six! Whole! Fries! Of course, nobody does that. The smallest serving of fries contains around fifty, while the large serving has approximately ninety.

McDonald’s said ‘no’ to a genetically modified potato

Potato giant and food manufacturer J.R. Simplot developed a potato variety that doesn’t develop spots and blemishes as quickly. It’s called Innate, and according to Simplot, the potatoes are ideal for making fries. But because this was a genetically modified potato variety, McDonald’s said no. ‘We don’t use genetically modified ingredients,’ was the company’s official response. According to the USDA, the American food and agriculture authority, the new potatoes are completely safe.

They buy 1.5 billion kilos of potatoes per year

McDonald’s buys 1.5 billion kilos of potatoes around the world for its fries. In America, McDonald’s sells 500 million kilos of beef and more than 500 million cups of coffee each year.

Read also:

• Back when McDonald’s still had ashtrays—this is what it looked like
• McDonald’s around the world
• 10 things you can order at McDonald’s—but not here