McDonald’s is known for its french fries, but have you ever wondered why McDonald’s fries taste so good to the point you can’t stop eating them?
Well, there’s more behind the McDonald’s french fry than you might realize! I’ve researched the french fries McDonald’s sells so that you can know everything about the tasty treat!
Key Takeaways
Why Do Mcdonald’s Fries Taste So Good In 2022?
McDonald’s fries taste so good because they contain sugar, salt, and fat. These ingredients, especially salt, release the pleasure chemical in the brain called dopamine. On top of that, McDonald’s uses vegetable oil that contains natural beef flavoring, and this component is what gives the fries such a good flavor.
Do you want to know even more about McDonald’s fries? For example, what ingredients are in the french fries? Well, read on to learn all of the facts about the iconic and delicious fries!
Why Are McDonald’s Fries So Addicting?
McDonald’s fries are so addicting because McDonald’s figured out that sugar, salt, and fat are a winning combination in the brain to keep you coming back for more.
That said, there’s science behind the addictive feeling of the sugar, salt, and fat combination, including that when you eat salty foods, your brain releases dopamine.
Furthermore, dopamine is the feel-good chemical in the brain that gives you both pleasurable feelings and satisfaction.
Also, potatoes contain starch which then turns into sugar, so when you’re eating fries, your body is getting sugar, and we all know how addicting sugar is!
Additionally, the fries contain natural beef flavoring in the oil, containing wheat and milk derivatives, giving the fries that amazing flavor.
The taste of that oil brings out the fry flavors and salt, so the oil plays a big role in why the McDonald’s fries taste so good.
In addition to that, heat helps bring out the flavors in the fries, so the hot fries being served straight from the fryer makes them even more delicious!
Since McDonald’s fries are so popular, there’s a constant turnover with fries. Therefore, the fries aren’t sitting there getting cold or stewing in the fryer getting nasty.
Are McDonald’s French Fries Real?
McDonald’s uses real potatoes for the fries, which is why they taste so good and are more addicting since potatoes release starch.
Further, the fast-food restaurant uses a combination of potatoes, including:
- Shepody
- Ranger Russet
- Russet Burbank
- Umatilla Russet
However, McDonald’s doesn’t use and will never use any GMO potatoes for its fries, and it’s the consistency of using the potato combination that has made the fries so popular.
Do McDonald’s Fries Have Dairy?
Yes, McDonald’s fries do contain milk derivatives. Therefore, the fries contain small amounts of dairy, which may negatively impact those with lactose intolerance.
What Are McDonald’s Fries Made Of?
McDonald’s fries contain potatoes, vegetable oil, dextrose, sodium acid pyrophosphate, and salt.
Furthermore, within the vegetable oil, there’s also:
- Soybean oil
- Canola oil
- Hydrogenated soybean oil
- Corn oil
- Natural beef flavor (contains hydrolyzed milk and hydrolyzed wheat)
As you can see, the combination of ingredients within the oil has given McDonald’s the trophy when it comes to the best fast food fries ever!
Why Do McDonald’s Fries Taste So Bad When They’re Cold?
McDonald’s fries taste so bad cold because the texture of the fry changes when it’s cooled down, and it goes from crispy to flimsy and soggy.
Furthermore, potatoes contain starch, and when heated, the water in the potatoes balloons up the starch crystals and makes them into that fluffy fry.
When the fries cool down, the water held inside the potato begins to leak to the outside, which is why they shrivel up and have a soggy texture.
On top of that, heat is important for helping the flavors shine, and when the heat is gone, the flavor disappears along with it, so McDonald’s fries lose nearly all flavor when cooled down.
To know more about McDonald’s fries, you can also see our related posts on whether or not McDonald’s fries are gluten-free, if McDonald’s fries are vegan, and where do McDonald’s potatoes come from.
Conclusion
McDonald’s fries taste so good because of the combination of salt, sugar, and fat, making our brains release a chemical called dopamine.
While sugar and fat are addictive, salt plays a major role in dopamine release, and salt is one of the most addicting components of fries that makes them so good!
On top of that, the vegetable oil contains multiple ingredients, including natural beef flavoring, and it’s this beef flavoring enhances the fries and makes the flavor incredible.
Also, the fries taste so good because they’re coming out of the fryer, and heat brings out the flavors.