Scientist reveals the formula for the perfect chip butty
How to make the perfect chip butty: Don’t skimp on the chips! Scientist says putting 12 thick ones between two slices of buttered white bread with ketchup is ideal mathematical formula
A British statistician has revealed the scientific formula for the perfect chip buttyIt consists of 12 thick cut chips, two slices of medium white, ketchup and butterThe much-loved chip butty – also known as a chip barm – has a mysterious origin
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It’s a beloved snack that’s been enjoyed in Britain for over a century – now, a scientist has finally come up with the formula for the perfect chip butty.
Dr James Hind, a statistician from Nottingham Trent University, refined the perfect chip butty recipe based on preferences of 2,000 Brits surveyed by supermarket chain Iceland.
According to the findings, a faultless butty has 12 thick cut chips, two 40g slices of medium sliced white bread, ketchup and butter – not mayo or margarine.
Dr Hind calculated a scientific formula – C ≥ 3b/4 + k = 3m, where C is the weight of chips(g), b is the weight of the bread(g), k is the amount of ketchup (ml) and m is the mass of butter (g).
According to the study, the perfect chip butty has 12 thick cut chips, two 40g slices of medium sliced white bread, ketchup and butter – not margarine
An Iceland spokesperson said: ‘The Chip Butty is one of the greatest culinary inventions in UK history’
‘What makes white bread preferable is that it is usually the softest,’ Dr Hind said.
‘This makes it a perfect contrast to the crunchy chips. And sliced bread has a constant thickness, giving a more consistent chip butty.
‘The most important thing is to have the weight of chips at least three quarters of the weight of the bread plus ketchup.
‘But every type of bread and style of chip varies subtly, so I’d encourage people to experiment at home and devise their own perfect formula.
‘Personally, I much prefer brown sauce and you can substitute it for ketchup in the equation as you like.
‘One thing my formula ignores is salt. That’s a matter of personal taste – and personal health – and so that’s a great place for people to start their own experiments!’
Dr Hind developed his formula based on survey findings from 2,000 Brits as to how they most commonly create a chip butty.
The academic then experimented around the most popular methods with timings, temperatures and, crucially, portion sizes to refine his recipe.
The survey for Iceland found that the bread for a butty must be a sliced white loaf, preferred by over half (52 per cent) of respondents.
In terms of the less popular bread options, just 14 per cent said they favour a soft bread roll; 9 per cent a bap; and 8 per cent sliced brown bread.
Dr James Hind (pictured), a statistician from Nottingham Trent University, refined a recipe based on the eating habits of 2,000 Brits
It should be a medium sliced loaf – preferred by 49 per cent – rather than thick sliced (26 per cent) or thin sliced (7 per cent).
The bread must be buttered (65 per cent) rather than relying on margarine (23 per cent) or any other spread. 64 per cent said a thin layer of butter is best.
The chips should be thick cut (46 per cent) like those from the local chippy rather than standard oven chips (33 per cent) or skinny French fries (11 per cent).
Brits most commonly choose to use only seven or eight chips (37 per cent) in their butty.
However, after experimenting, Dr Hind concluded this is far too few – and has instead proposed 12 as the perfect number.
So a layer of 12 chips weighing around 60g should go between two medium slices of white bread, each weighing 40g.
Any fewer chips and there may not be enough to melt the butter, which is required to soften the bread and create a tasty contrast to the crispiness of chips.
Too many chips and it will be awkward to eat the butty and every mouthful will seem like it is almost all chips with the bread and butter going largely unnoticed, Dr Hind concluded.
As for the finishing touches, ketchup is the most popular condiment to add to a butty (49 per cent, followed by mayonnaise or vinegar (each 17 per cent).
According to the results, 73 per cent of respondents also agreed with Dr Hind that making the perfect chip butty is an ‘exact science’.
An Iceland spokesperson said: ‘The Chip Butty is one of the greatest culinary inventions in UK history.
‘We felt it our duty to ensure the British public know the optimum way to build their crispy potato sandwich.’
Want to know the scientific formula for the perfect chip butty? It’s C ≥ 3b/4 + k = 3m, of course
Skinny, curly, crinkled, waffled, crumbed or wedges? According to the findings, none of these will do for the perfect chip butty – only thick cut
According to Professor Rebecca Earle, a food historian at the University of Warwick, the chip butty – also known as a chip barm – has a mysterious history, although it’s said to have originated up north in the 1800s.
Professor Earle also said a study to determine a scientific formula for a perfect chip butty is ‘doomed to failure’ because of personal taste.
‘It’s a highly subjective matter, dependent on both individual preference and national trends,’ she told MailOnline.
‘For example, the British I think generally favour “wetter” sandwiches, with more sauce, compared to the US market.
‘Pret A Manger, I think, had to reformulate their sandwich fillings with less mayo when they launched in the US, if I recall.’
