McDonald’s has a widespread presence globally, with thousands of restaurants in various countries. They strive to maintain consistency in their food quality, taste, and customer experience across their locations. Their French fries are one of the most well-known and popular menu items at the fast-food chain. However, did you know that these fries go through an extensive production process before being shipped to restaurants. Here are 7 interesting facts about Mcdonald’s fries for those who think it’s just potato. (Source: eatthis.com)
- They’re the most popular McDonald’s item
Their fries are the most popular menu item. They’re perfect as a side or a snack, and they’re delicious with just about any sauce.
2. They are cut, not mashed and formed into fry-like shapes In a video shared by Mcdonalds Canada, they explained how the potatoes were peeled, washed and cut into fries. Yes they freeze them before shipping, but that fry-shape is exactly how the potato was cut.
3. There are chemicals added to keep all of the fries a uniform color In that same revealing video from McDonald’s Canada, Mario Dupuis, a production manager at McDonald’s supplier McCain Fries, explained that the fries are put through a blancher to remove the sugar from the potatoes. This also “prevents some variation” in fry color, Dupuis said. They’re also treated with a “dextrose solution” and other ingredients to prevent the fries from “graying,” he explained.
4. They have more ingredients than you’d think Mcdonalds fries have a unique taste which is much more than just salt. The fry-making process includes chemicals like dextrose and sodium acid pyrophosphate which add to the freshness, crispiness and overall quality of the fry.
5. Multiple varieties of potatoes go into one batch Mcdonalds notes on its website that they use Russet Burbank, Russet Ranger, Umatilla Russet, and Shepody potatoes—to create its fries.
6. They’re not vegan-friendly Even though potatoes are a vegetable, people who don’t eat animal products will still want to avoid them due to the addition of Natural beef flavor. According to McDonald’s, “natural beef flavor contains hydrolyzed wheat and hydrolyzed milk as starting ingredients.”
7. They’re fried for about a minute and then frozen before being shipped to the restaurants In the video, it was also explained that the potato slices are fried for 45 to 60 seconds before being frozen. They then undergo another trip to the fryer once they arrive at the many McDonald’s locations.
Are you shocked as much as us? Let us know how you feel about those addictive fries.