Chapter 5, "Why the Fries Taste Good"

o Who is J.R. Simplot? What connection does J. R. Simplot have to the fast food industry?
J.R. Simplot started the Idaho potato plant. His company now grows and processes corn, peas, broccoli, avocados, carrots, potatoes, and more. He owns the biggest cattle ranch in the U.S. Altogether, he owns more land than the state of Delaware. J.R. Simplot invested in frozen food technology after the war. He created the frozen frech fry. Simplot met with Ray Kroc and made a deal to set up a frozen fry production factory for McDonalds. The customers didn't notice, and the profit was the most profitable item on the menu--above hamburgers. He sold his french fries to other fastfood companies, and the rate of growing fast food restaurants grew.


o How have the potato farms in Idaho changed in the last 25 years or so?
The potato farms now sell corn, peas, broccoli, avocados, carrots, and more, as well as potatoes. The farms have expanded greatly, and put together there is more land than the state of Delaware. J.R. Simplot stepped down from being executive producer of his company, but keeps buying more land.


o What is the "fallacy of composition?"
The fallacy of composition is the belief that if someone does something, and everyone follows, it will still be a good thing. But this assumption is wrong.

o What makes McDonald's french fries taste different from the fries of other fast food restaurants?
For decades, McDonalds cooked it's french fries in a mixture of 7% cottonseed oil and 93% beef tallow. This has given it their unique flavor. They have more beef per ounce than a McDonald's hamburger.