Happy birthday, chip
They don't look a day past 155.
Today is the birthday of the potato chip -- born 1853 in Saratoga Springs, NY.
The story behind the chip's birth is a bit fuzzy. Mike looked at the origins last year in an item for AOA:
When Cary B. Moon opened the original Moon's Lake House on Saratoga Lake in the 1850s, he had a good thing going for him from the start. He'd hired George Crum to run his kitchen. Crumb was a Native American with a reputation as an Adirondack guide and an accomplished cook.
Crum brought his sister, Katie Weeks, to work alongside him at Moon's. And it was Katie's kitchen experiment that, legend has it, led to one of our favorite salty, fried treats.
A couple of local businesses have recently tried to capitalize on Saratoga's crunchy history. The Saratoga Specialities Company has started selling the "Original Saratoga Chips made by gourmet artisans to the exact same recipe and packaging used by George Crum in 1853." And Saratoga Salsa and Spice is also now selling its own Saratoga chips.
[via @jengonroff]
photo: Flickr user Jed Sundwall
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Comments
Chips! After being at work all day, and needing something salty, I usually grab them.
... said Kater on Aug 24, 2009 at 3:06 PM | link
As a resident fat man, and devout devourer of chips, I have heard a different version of this story. Regardless, though, it's nice to get my potato on every once in a while.
... said Bobbo on Aug 24, 2009 at 4:23 PM | link
Damn you, chip for being born and for your years of deliciousness.
... said Julia Thorne on Aug 24, 2009 at 9:43 PM | link