Legends of the Crisp.
Potato chips, or crisps if that’s how you prefer to call them, are loved around the world. They are so irresistible from that first crunch. Read about the claimed potato chips history as well as other origins for the famous fried potatoes.
Potato Chips History
Legend Has It…
The most famous claim to the origin of the potato chips comes from George Crum in Saratoga Springs, New York. The story goes that in 1853, a customer at the Moon Lake Lodge complained that his fries were too thick. In the kitchen, Crum made a thinner batch. But the customer still was not satisfied. So Crum sarcastically cut and fried up paper-thin potatoes. And the customer loved it. Saratoga Chips were born.
Furthering the story, it has been told that Crum’s sister also takes claim to the fried potato when she accidentally dropped potato shavings into the fryer. George tried a lone one left on the counter and loved it.
Earlier Evidence
While Crum’s story is the most famous, there is actually written evidence of early recipes for potato chips. In 1817, a cookbook by William Kitchiner called The Cook’s Oracle featured potato shavings sliced 1/4 inch thick and fried in lard or drippings and sprinkled with salt.
A few years later in 1824, a British cookbook about French cookery had a similar recipe and called it “pommes de terre frites”. There is also evidence of US cookbooks in 1824 and 1832 citing The Cook’s Oracle fried potatoes in their own recipes.
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