In the fast-paced modern life, frozen food has become a new favorite in many families' diets. Among them, frozen French fries have firmly occupied a place with their unique charm. What magic does this kind of ingredient, which can be transformed into a golden, crispy and delicious dish with just simple processing, possess? Today, let's delve into the mysteries behind frozen French fries together and explore the development of related industries.
From potatoes to frozen French fries: A delicately crafted delicious transformation
The birth of frozen French fries is a magnificent transformation of potatoes, with every step brimming with technology and craftsmanship. Potatoes, as raw materials, are by no means suitable for ordinary varieties. The ideal processed potatoes should have the characteristics of being high in starch and low in sugar. Only in this way can they achieve a perfect texture of being crispy on the outside and tender on the inside when fried, and avoid being overly burnt due to excessive sugar. Uniform size and smooth surface are also crucial, facilitating subsequent standardized processing. Globally, the North China region, with its cool climate between 40 and 50 degrees north latitude, has become one of the core production areas for processed specialized potatoes. The potatoes produced here are of superior quality, laying a solid foundation for the production of frozen French fries.
The processing procedures can be described as meticulous and complex. After fresh potatoes enter the factory, the first step is the cleaning and peeling process. Advanced equipment precisely and efficiently peels off the outer skin of the potatoes and washes away impurities. Immediately after, the slicing process begins. The potatoes are precisely cut into uniform strips in professional equipment. During the slicing process, the water flow buffering not only keeps the shape of the fries intact but also washes away some of the surface starch. The blanching process is of vital importance. While the fries stay briefly in hot water, the starch is further washed away and the color is fixed, laying the groundwork for the golden and inviting appearance after subsequent frying.
Dehydration, frying and degreasing are closely related. The dehydration equipment utilizes the principle of centrifugal force to quickly remove the surface moisture of French fries, preparing them for frying. In the automatic temperature-controlled deep-frying equipment, the fries roll and are heated. The frying duration is precisely controlled according to the product requirements. Frozen fries are usually fried for a shorter time to lock in the internal moisture and texture. After the frying is completed, the centrifugal oil removal equipment quickly comes into play, removing the excess oil, making the fries have a refreshing and non-greasy taste, and also facilitating long-term storage. Finally, after going through the quick-freezing process, the fries cool down rapidly, and their nutrition and taste are instantly frozen. They are then packaged and sent to the market. From the potatoes in the fields to the packaged frozen French fries, there are approximately 17 procedures. Each step is strictly controlled to present the best quality.
Frozen French fries: A frequent delicacy on global dining tables
Frozen French fries are widely popular in the global food landscape. In European and American countries, it is an important symbol of fast food culture and a classic item on the menus of fast food giants such as McDonald's and KFC. McDonald's fries are exquiously made. They are cooked in a 168-degree Celsius oven for 3 minutes. After frying, they are dripped with oil in a basket for 5 to 10 seconds, gently shaken to spread out, and then poured out. They are fried with 100% vegetable oil - sunflower canola, featuring a unique water-cutting technique and a standard thickness of 6.2mm x 6.2mm. It has achieved the signature texture of being crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. McDonald's entered the Chinese market in 1990. As early as 1985, it began to cultivate and grow specialized potatoes in Hebei Province, which shows its deep cultivation of the Chinese market and its emphasis on the French fries business.
Not only in fast food chains, but also in home kitchens, frozen fries are highly favored. For busy office workers and home cooks, its convenience is unparalleled. No need for complicated cutting and preparation. Just take it out of the refrigerator and fry it directly. In just a few minutes, the delicious food is ready on the table. Moreover, frozen French fries have a long storage time, allowing consumers to stock up on them all at once and satisfy their taste buds' craving for French fries at any time. This perfect combination of convenience and deliciousness has driven the market share of frozen French fries in household consumption to continue to rise.
In recent years, the global demand for frozen French fries has been on the rise. Chinese food processing enterprises have seized the opportunity and made their mark in the global supply chain. Take Qinhuangdao Shuangyu Food Manufacturing Co., Ltd. as an example. Its frozen French fries business has developed rapidly. It first exported to Indonesia in 2024. From January to February 2025, Qinhuangdao Customs supervised its export of 784.05 tons of frozen French fries to ASEAN, with a value of 5.2667 million yuan, increasing by 15 times and 11 times respectively compared with the same period last year. This is inseparable from the full support of Qinhuangdao Customs in terms of policy guidance and quality control.
Inner Mongolia Shuyuankang Biotechnology: A dream chaser in the frozen French fries industry
Inner Mongolia Shuyuankang Biotechnology is actively engaged in the frozen French fries industry. In 2024, the company completed and put into operation the "Fully Automatic French Frozen French Fries Production Line", which is a modern set of equipment integrating raw material processing, processing, frying, cooling, quick freezing and packaging, demonstrating the company's determination and strength in industrial upgrading.
This production line has significant advantages. In terms of production capacity, it can be flexibly adjusted according to market demand, with multiple specification options to meet the needs of production of different scales. The degree of automation is high. The entire process from raw materials to finished product packaging is fully automated, which greatly saves labor costs and improves production efficiency. In terms of product quality, advanced technological processes and automatic control functions ensure that the quality of each French fry is stable and the taste is consistent. Environmental protection and energy-saving design is in line with the current green development concept, reducing energy consumption and environmental pollution.
However, the company's development of the frozen French fries business was not smooth sailing. The competition in the frozen French fries market is fierce, with numerous domestic and foreign brands. How to create differentiated products and enhance brand awareness is an urgent problem to be solved. Meanwhile, consumers are increasingly concerned about food safety and health, and their requirements for the quality, raw material sources, and additive usage of frozen French fries are constantly rising. Companies need to continuously optimize their production processes, reduce oil content, explore healthier processing methods, and ensure the safety and nutrition of their products.
Facing challenges, Inner Mongolia Shuyuankang Biotechnology responds proactively. In terms of product research and development, increase investment in innovation and attempt to launch frozen French fries of different flavors and specifications, such as colorful French fries with added vegetable powder, which are both interesting and nutritious. Develop a low-oil version to follow the trend of healthy eating. In terms of brand building, actively participate in food exhibitions and sales fairs, carry out online marketing, and comprehensively promote the products. In terms of supply chain management, we closely cooperate with suppliers and distributors to improve the supply system, reduce costs and enhance market competitiveness.
Frozen French fries, this seemingly simple food, actually contain complex craftsmanship and broad market prospects. The exploration of enterprises such as Inner Mongolia Shuyuankang Biotechnology has injected new vitality into the industry. Despite numerous challenges, with technological advancements and market expansion, the frozen French fries industry is expected to enjoy even more brilliant development, offering consumers more delicious, convenient and healthy choices, and shining even more brightly on the global culinary stage.