Oh, Crunch! It’s National Potato Chip Day!

“Bet You Can’t Eat Just One.” Remember that slogan from Lay’s years ago? I mean, who did they hire to do their advertising, Pablo Escobar? Only the O.G. of addictive substances himself could tap into the psyche of consumers like that. As much as I love donuts, it’s salt and crunch that satisfies my snack fixes. Pretzels you ask? Screw those flavorless flour sticks! They got nothin’ on the amazing crispy goodness of potato chips. So, break open a bag, or pop the top if you’re of the Pringles persuasion and celebrate National Potato Chip Day!

Who Started Frying Potatoes In Grease?

Probably some medieval scullery maid but official legend has it that back in the 19th century, a fussy restaurant patron sent his soggy potatoes back to the kitchen (typical!) insisting that he liked them fried. After several attempts, the chef discovered that if he sliced them thin and fried them in fat, his bland, crappy little vegetable was transformed into something amazing!

Savor the Flavor

After 50 years of potato chip production, somebody said, “Hey, these things are kinda boring. We should put artificial colors and flavors on them!” Thus, the flavored potato chip was born! Barbecue, Sour Cream and Onion, and Cheddar Cheese set the stage decades ago for the more exotic flavors we have today, which include Cappucino (huh?!) and Chicken & Waffles!

No, Great Britain, Fries Are Not Chips!

I guess the whole Fish & Chips thing should have given it away, but I don’t get why our neighbors across the pond call fries “chips” and chips “crisps!” It’s confusing! They do, however, have chip flavors we don’t have here—like Worcester sauce (wut?) and prawn cocktail (wut, wut?), which are actually really good.

#NationalPotatoChipDay

Wanna know why the lowly little potato gets its own day? Cuz consumers spend $7 billion each year on these suckers! And they’re made in kettles now, which is kind of cool. Call them junk food if you will, but I’m pretty sure potato chips are having the last laugh.

What’s your favorite potato chip flavor? Let us know in the comments below!