Did you know that 1.2 billion pounds of potato chips are devoured each year in the United States? It is no surprise that they are America's favorite snack food. Potato chips are thin slices of potato that are deep fried or baked until crispy.
Potato chips were invented in Saratoga Springs in 1853 by an Irish chef named George Crum. One day, a customer continuously sent the fried potatoes that Crum made back to the kitchen, complaining that they were too thick and soggy. Fed up, Crum decided to slice the potatoes so thin so that they could not be eaten with a fork. The customer was so pleased with Crum's creation that they became a regular item on the restaurant's menu!
It was not until the 20th century that potato chips were first produced for home consumption. Today, the potato chip market generates billions of dollars of revenue around the world. To celebrate National Potato Chip Day, enjoy some of your favorite potato chips with your lunch or dinner!
