Deep frying
Cooking method submerging food in hot fat, practiced for millennia.
Deep frying is a cooking method in which food is submerged in hot fat, traditionally lard but today most commonly oil. It is classified as a hot-fat cooking method and is popular worldwide, with deep-fried foods accounting for a large portion of global caloric consumption. The practice has existed for millennia, though the term 'deep frying' and many modern deep-fried foods were not invented until the 19th century.
- earliest_attested_practice
- Late 2nd millennium BC in Canaan (deep-fried dough)
- earliest_attested_term
- Early 20th century (English term 'deep-fried')
- common_oil_absorption
- Less than 2 tbsp per 2.5 cups of oil at proper temperature
- global_reach
- Popular on all continents; a staple of almost all street cuisines
Lore & Background
Deep frying has ancient roots: deep-fried dough was eaten in Canaan as early as the late 2nd millennium BC, and frying food in olive oil is attested in Classical Greece from about the 5th century BC. The 5th century AD Roman cookbook Apicius includes a recipe for deep-fried chicken in olive oil. Sanskrit texts from the 12th century mention snacks submerged and fried in ghee. Deep-fried foods like funnel cakes reached northern Europe by the 13th century, and deep-fried fish recipes appear in Spanish and Portuguese cookbooks from around the same time.
Reader's Guide
Modern deep frying in the United States began in the 19th century with the growing popularity of cast iron, particularly in the American South, leading to many modern deep-fried dishes. French fries, invented in the early 17th century in Chile, became popular in early 19th century western Europe. The growth of fast food in recent years has expanded the reach of deep-fried foods, especially french fries. When performed properly, the moisture in food repels oil, preventing excessive greasiness. Deep-fried foods are common across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas, with dishes ranging from Japanese tempura to Indonesian gorengan to British fish and chips.
Did You Know?
- The English term 'deep-fried' is attested from the early 20th century.
- Deep-fried dough was eaten as early as the late 2nd millennium BC in Canaan.
- French fries were invented in the early 17th century in Chile.
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