UMVA has learned that a recent survey of over 12,000 people across 11 countries has uncovered a universal truth: people love French fries, and they love them with a passion that transcends borders and cultures.
The survey, which polled respondents in Canada, the United States, France, Brazil, the Netherlands, India, Japan, and Australia, found that more than three-quarters (78%) of people say that fries improve their mood, with 55% saying they make them feel happy, and 46% saying they make them feel relaxed.
For Canadians, fries are a particular favorite, with 27% saying it's their preferred way to enjoy potatoes, beating out mashed potatoes (14%) and poutine (12%). And it's not just Canadians who love fries - they were the top spud choice among all the countries surveyed.
When it comes to the perfect fry style, 35% of respondents worldwide said they prefer a classic, straight-cut fry. But when it comes to sharing those fries, 1 in 3 respondents said they'd rather not share - in fact, they'd consider sharing fries to be more intimate than holding hands.
In some countries, that sentiment is even stronger: in Brazil and China, 1 in 2 respondents said they'd consider sharing fries to be a deeply personal gesture. And in Canada, 1 in 6 people said they'd feel the same way.
But what about dipping those fries? The survey found that Canadians are a ketchup-loving bunch, with 63% saying it's their dip of choice. But in other parts of the world, the preferences are different: in India and Brazil, for example, respondents are more likely to double-dip their fries, with 75% and 69% respectively admitting to the practice.
And then there's the question of fry etiquette: nearly three-quarters (71%) of Canadians said they get annoyed when someone steals fries from them, but more than a third (38%) confessed to being a fry thief themselves.
When it comes to the timing of their fry consumption, the survey found that people around the world have different preferences. In the Netherlands, for example, 41% of respondents said they make fries their main entrée, while in India, more than half (51%) admit to eating fries for breakfast.
Overall, the survey suggests that fries are a universal language, capable of transcending borders and cultures. And with International Day of the Potato just around the corner, it's clear that fries are a culinary treasure that's worth celebrating.
