How a kitchen experiment conquered the world

The history of chips is full of interesting stories and characters. One of the most famous tales dates back to 1853, when chef George Crum in Saratoga Springs, New York, made extremely thin and crispy slices of potato chips to spite a customer who complained about the chips being too thick. This accidental creation became instantly popular, and the chips, originally called "Saratoga Chips," quickly spread throughout the United States.

Although Crum often gets credit for inventing chips, history suggests that similar recipes existed earlier. In Europe, particularly in France and Belgium, potatoes were fried in various ways as early as the 17th century. However, these early forms of fried potatoes were thicker and softer, resembling modern French fries rather than chips. The transition to the thin, crispy slices we know today likely involved many iterations and refinements.

Chips have gradually evolved from a restaurant luxury to a common commodity in shops. In the 1920s, they began to be wrapped in wax paper, extending their shelf life, and enabling mass distribution. Laura Scudder, a Californian entrepreneur, started using wax paper to wrap chips in 1926. This innovation allowed them to stay fresh longer and reduced the risk of being crushed in transit.

It was also during this period that the first flavoured chips began to appear, thanks to innovations like the flavouring technology developed by the Irish company Tayto. Joe "Spud" Murphy, the owner of this company, devised a method to add flavourings during the cooking process, leading to the first flavoured chips with varieties such as cheese and onion, and salt and vinegar.

Chips are now an integral part of culture and social events. They are popular at parties, sporting events, and family gatherings. Approximately 1.85 billion pounds of chips are consumed annually in the U.S., which is about 6.6 pounds per person. This popularity is reflected in the variety of creative flavours that have emerged in recent years, ranging from traditional salt and vinegar to exotic flavours like wasabi and seaweed in Japan.

Chips have also found their way into pop culture. They appear in various films and TV shows as a symbol of relaxation and fun. They are frequently featured in advertisements that highlight their crunchiness and irresistibility. In the 1960s, the Lay's brand became famous with the slogan 'Betcha can't eat just one,' emphasizing how hard it is to stop after just one chip.

Slovakia boasts its own producer of tasty chips  - SlovChips. The story of this Slovak brand, which brings the traditional taste of our favourite potato chips to homes, began in 2008 when they took over the production of Spišské potato chips, which had been produced since 1984. Since then, Spišské, Prima, Farmer's, Sedliacke and Nature chips from SlovChips have become a popular part of Slovak households.

What makes SlovChips so special? First and foremost, it is the quality Slovak raw materials used to produce the chips. The potatoes are not pre-cooked, ensuring their authentic taste and crispiness. The result is a product that all potato chip lovers will enjoy. SlovChips is also committed to supporting Slovak producers and farmers, thereby contributing to the development of the domestic economy. Their products can be found in many supermarket chains and wholesalers, so you can enjoy the real taste of Slovakia right in your living room.

If you are interested in how these chips are made and what goes into their creation, from potatoes to the final product, be sure to watch our video. On our website, you will also find many other interesting reports from our local production. Let yourself be drawn into the world of Slovak production and get to know the story behind each crispy piece.