Fun 'N' Frolics

THE SEABROOK ALMANAC

Yes, in Seabrook we transform humble potatoes into things of great beauty - the most flavoursome crisps with that classic crinkle. But how much do you really know about the nation's favourite snack? For your amusement, the organiser of Seabrook's local pub quiz has compiled a few quirky crisp facts.

FACT 01 - Seabrook holds the Guinness world record for producing the largest packet of crisps. It weighed 51.35kg (113lb 3oz) and the record hasn't been beaten since 11th March 2004.

FACT 02 - Potato crisps were invented in 1853 by a chef called George Crum from Saratoga Springs, New York. Fed up with an awkward customer who kept sending his fried potatoes back for being 'too thick and soggy', Crum sliced the potatoes as thinly as he could and stir-fried them so they couldn't be eaten with a fork. But George's cunning plan backfired - his guest loved the crispy chips and they became a regular on the menu thereafter!

FACT 03 - The first crisp packet was invented by American Laura Scudder, who was tired of crisps going stale and damp in the bottom of the tins they were stored in. She ironed two pieces of wax paper together to create a bag with an airtight seal, keeping the crisps fresh until opened.

FACT 04 - If you love Seabrook crisps because of the huge range of fantastic flavours, don't ever move to Germany. German crisps only come in paprika flavour. Yawn!

FACT 05 - In parts of Canada, people keep their crisps in the freezer, and even eat them while they're still frozen. There's nowt as queer as folk!

FACT 06 - The Americans use crisps (or chips, as they call them) in lots of different dishes. They crush them and use them in cookies and pies, as breadcrumbs for meatloaves and hamburgers, as casserole toppings and even in sauces and dips. A few good ideas, there!

FACT 07 - The first crisps weren't seen in England until 1913, when a man called Carter first produced them, claiming he had seen the idea in France, not in the United States.

FACT 08 - In 1981, Welsh pub owner Philip Lewis produced a flavour of crisps that would go down in history. An independent manufacturer, Philip's hedgehog crisps caused such a stir that the Office of Fair Trading had to intervene. They found out that the flavour Philip was using was actually pork. After several court appearances on the charge of false advertising, the case was finally dropped when Mr Lewis's defence lawyer called some local gypsies to the witness stand. They testified that, yes, hedgehogs really do taste like pork!