25th June 2009 – Mackie’s of Scotland launch the perfect Scottish Crisp!
Mackie’s thick cut premium potato crisps are the only crisps made in Scotland and include three core flavours; Sea Salt, Sea Salt & Vinegar and Mature Cheddar & Onion. The 3 Limited Edition flavours for summer 2009 will further spice up the market; Haggis & Cracked Black Pepper, Flame Grilled Aberdeen Angus and Cherry Tomato & Herbs.
2007 - 45 companies are processing potatoes in the United Kingdom
1950's - crisps were often sold in tins in order to try and keep them fresh and crisp.
1947 - a Scottish baker, William Alexander, was having similar thoughts as Mr Walker (below) about potato crisps and started to produce them when he had completed his early-morning baking shift. William named his crisps after the Golden Wonder potato, originating from the Arbroath area in Scotland. Golden Wonder was the first company to produce ready-salted crisps and dispense with the need for the little blue bag.
1940’s - World War II saw rationing of meat and flour and one butcher, Mr Henry Walker of Leicester and his Managing Director realised that diversity was needed to keep their business afloat. Potatoes were not rationed, crisps were to be the future of the business – begun on the upper floor of his meat factory at Oxford street, Leicester.
1926 - Crisps were often sold from bins in grocer stores, and taken away in paper bags until Laura Scudder and her family crisp business invented a way of iron sealing bags when they were full.
1920 - Smith’s Potato Crisps Company Ltd formed and became the first company to produce crisps in a factory for mass consumer market. Initially, Mrs Smith washed, cut and fried the potatoes in the couple's North London garage. Frank Smith packaged them in greaseproof paper bags. The crisps were then sold from his pony and trap around London. He would also include a twist of salt for flavouring.
1913 - Crisps were made in the UK by Carter’s
1853 - George Crum, a chef in New York state reacted angrily to a customer complaint that his chips were too thick. By cutting them wafer thin and overdoing the seasoning, to his surprise, the customer loved thm and the crisp was born. They went on the menu at Crum’s restaurant, Moon’s lake house in Saratoga and became a local delicacy called “Saratoga Chips”. Crisps are still known as “chips” in the US.