The History of Potato Chips

According to the Atlas of Popular Culture in the Northeastern United States, the history of the potato chip dates back to 1853 to the Moon Lake Lodge in Saratoga Springs, New York. The story goes that a customer complained that his french fries were too thick. Annoyed, the chef cut some potatoes extra thinly, salted them and fried them. He intended the creation to be inedible but they were a big hit – the customer asked for seconds! One variation of this story has the customer in question being railroad tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt. Whoever that first customer was, potato chips became a popular American food item from that day on.

Fun Facts about Potato Chips

Did you know:

• Americans consume 1.2 billion pounds of potatoes each year, more than any other country in the world.
• What we Americans call “chips” are called “crisps” in most other English-speaking countries.
• Potato chips were primarily a restaurant food item until the early 20th century, when merchants started selling them in bags.
• It takes approximately four pounds of potatoes to make one pound of potato chips.
• The average potato chip is between .04 and .08 inches thick.
• Flavored and seasoned potato chips first made an appearance in the 1950s.
• The premier chip-making state is Pennsylvania.

National Potato Chip Day

March 14th is National Potato Chip Day in the United States. Though likely created years ago by the snack industry, this “holiday” is a great opportunity to indulge in your favorite chip, perhaps with a little dip?

In honor of National Potato Chip Day, Asher’s is offering 10% off all Chocolate Covered Potato Chip products. This offer is good today only!