Some products are in short supply following the war in Ukraine. And this phenomenon sometimes has unintended consequences. Some chip shops, for example, have been forced to change fat for cooking. Which can “change the taste of fries.
Each chip shop has its own recipe: some use vegetable oil to cook the chips, others use beef fat. And one party uses little of both. In Anton’s establishment, it’s been the same recipe for 40 years. “This is a block of 100% refined beef fat. You should know that in our chip shop, we use 100% beef fat for cooking fries”develops the manager of the chip shop.
Some chip shops, which use sunflower oil, have had to switch to rapeseed, peanuts or palm oil. For these specialists, there is indeed a change in the final taste. “I think consumers might not like it. If, overnight, a chip shop with regulars completely changes its way of doing things, someone who is used to eating their fries may be disappointed”continues Anton.
“It’s true that, for the informed consumer, there will be a slight difference between sunflowers and peanuts, for example. But I would say that’s what makes, among other things, the richness of our deep-fried culture. It’s because fries have such different tastes, maybe it’s time to discover a new taste”adds for his part Bernard Lefèvre, president of the national union of friturists.
But have fries lovers noticed a change in taste? We asked them the question in the streets of Brussels. “Yes, rapeseed, I put it in the salad and I smell the rapeseed oil”notes a passerby. “No, no. We didn’t feel any differencesaid another. But we don’t eat as many fries as here maybe.”
“They’re really good, honestly. Crispy and melty inside. I personally don’t make them that well”admits a third.
Within a year, the cost of all oils and fats doubled. The price of a cone of fries is likely to increase by 20 cents from July.