Heat Wave Shrinks German French Fries
Achtung! Germany is facing a major problem. No, it's not the economic downturn crippling the European Union, driving up inflation rates, forcing businesses to close, and sending gas prices through the roof.
Oh no, it's much, much worse. Germany's French fries are shrinking!
Unusually hot weather is hurting potato crops in Germany, especially the extra large potatoes used to make French fries.
And it has been really hot! Here in the Tri-State Area, we're cooking. We actually recorded a few record temps. It's been really dry too, hardly any rain. I can't imagine trying to grow weeds in this dirt, let alone potatoes.
I guess its just global warming's way of saying hi.
But for Germany, if this heat wave continues, they'll be facing a French fried potato famine. Germany produces 11 million metric tons of potatoes each year, and roughly 10% are used for French fries.
Most of those fries come from extra large potatoes, that are now being threatened by the hot weather. So, French fry makers will have to settle for regular potatoes, meaning consumers will be stuck with shorter French fries.
Quite a burden to bear! The normal average length of French fries is 2.2 inches, but with the runt potatoes the new length will be only 1.8 inches. Quick! Board up the windows, a drop of 0.4 inches? We're doomed - doomed!
Now I'm no genius - I didn't even crack 1,000 on my SATs - but I have the solution, waffle-cut fries! Problem solved.
Image credit: svenwerk
3 Comments
Add Your Comment
Created / Updated: July 29, 2010
Don't panic! Fries are sold by weight, so you will get even more sticks for your money, if they tend to be shorter. The rain over Europe these last days might even cause german potatoes to gain size...
ReplySince I never buy French fries, this news doesn't affect me much, but maybe it will discourage people from getting the large fries with their Extra Value Meals for a while.
Reply
ReplyThat sucks! oh well as long as the taste still the same I think I can have fries shorter.