15 Crazy Facts About McDonald’s Fries You Never Knew

It feels incomplete eating at McDonald’s without getting yourself their legendary fries. Yes! McDonald’s has always been known for their palatable and delicious burgers, even leading as purveyor of it, and so it’s no surprise that even their fries are popular, too.

And well, though you indulge yourself on eating fries at McDonald’s, there are still secrets how these fries turned into what they are now or how they have changes over the years. To enumerate, here are some of the most interesting facts about McDonald’s famous fries.

1. They’re the most popular McDonald’s item.

McDonald’s fries are the most popular menu item at the fast-food restaurant.

2. You can get fresh ones just by asking for them.

You can get fresh fries at McDonald’s by asking for them without salt.

3. They’re not vegan-friendly.

McDonald’s fries have “natural beef flavor” as listed among the ingredients.

4. They are cut, not mashed and formed into fry-like shapes.

The potatoes are washed and peeled, and machine-cut into their fry shapes.

5. There are chemicals added to keep all of the fries a uniform color.

McDonald’s fries are put through a blancher to remove the sugar from the potatoes.

6. They’re fried for about a minute and then frozen before being shipped to the restaurants.

The potato slices are fried for 45 to 60 seconds before being frozen, and then undergo another trip to the fryer once they arrive at the many McDonald’s locations.

7. McDonald’s changed the recipe in 1992.

McDonald’s has started using vegetable oil in 1992.

8. They’re one of the original menu items.

In an original 1950s McDonald’s menu, there were no Chicken McNuggets in sight but just fries, burgers, shakes, and a variety of soft drinks.

9. They have more ingredients than you’d think.

10. Six fries is a proper serving size, according to one Harvard professor.

Eric Rimm, a professor of epidemiology and nutrition at Harvard’s T. H. Chan School of Public Health, suggested only eating a smaller amount of fries, paired with a leafy green vegetable.

11. Multiple varieties of potatoes go into one batch.

McDonald’s uses four common potato types for their fries: Russet Burbank, Russet Ranger, Umatilla Russet, and Shepody potatoes.

12. McDonald’s most likely won’t ever sell curly fries, much to diners’ dismay.

McDonald’s won’t be selling curly fries. Never.

13. There’s a chance they might taste different across the pond.

In the UK, vegans can eat McDonald’s fries because it has no beef flavor.

14. In 2014, McDonald’s refused to use a new GMO potato variety.

There would be an “Innate” potato, which would bruise less easily and would “produce less of a potentially cancer-causing compound when fried.”

15. McDonald’s buys 3.4 billion pounds of potatoes each year.

McDonald’s buying a lot of potatoes and that’s a global figure.

So there you have it! McDonald’s fries has more to tell you than how it looks and tastes 🙂