What makes a cracker a cracker and not a chip?

[seven_DeviL_Clever]

So i was standing in line at the store with a friend of mine and this question popped up into my mind. What makes a cracker a cracker and a chip a chip? There are many similarities between them but what actually decides the difference? This has been bugging me for about 2 days now, can you all help me out?

[Meier Link]

Well to put it simply i will say they are made from 2 completely different products and the way of making them is completely different.

Now given that there are a variety of "chips" and I am not sure which ones you are talking about.

So in a detailed explination

Crackers for the most part a porduct of the bread family (along the lines of a biscuit) or can be part of the cookie familiy it just depends on the products contained with in them. Most of the time they are made simular to the bread side. The consist mainly of flour water and a few other ingrediants. The process for making crackers is quite litteraly a layering process.

Chips on the other hand are pretty much made the same way any way you go about it. American chips are thinly slined potatos that have been fried at high temps for a shot period of time. While European chips are more of the battered french fry style. Both processes of making chips can also be made in the oven.

Now if you are being racist. Then the term Cracker comes from the days of the slave drivers and where dubbed that because the sound that their whips made.

Not sure that a chip is an insult though so I will assume you are talking food here

Damn I am a geek.

[Inagi]

Woh, for real?
I always thought it was because crackers were white. o_o

[Sasquatch]

Crackers are baked, while chips are fried.

In addition, crackers are made from grain, while chips are made from potatoes.

But then, you have Sun Chips and Wheat Thins, which are kind of in the middle.

And, of course, Meier's excellent and thorough explanation of ingredients and processing methods.

I've always wondered why Animal Crackers aren't called Animal Cookies.

[Calvan]

I've always wondered why Animal Crackers aren't called Animal Cookies.

You too huh?

[winterborn86]

Well to put it simply i will say they are made from 2 completely different products and the way of making them is completely different.

Now given that there are a variety of "chips" and I am not sure which ones you are talking about.

So in a detailed explination

Crackers for the most part a porduct of the bread family (along the lines of a biscuit) or can be part of the cookie familiy it just depends on the products contained with in them. Most of the time they are made simular to the bread side. The consist mainly of flour water and a few other ingrediants. The process for making crackers is quite litteraly a layering process.

Chips on the other hand are pretty much made the same way any way you go about it. American chips are thinly slined potatos that have been fried at high temps for a shot period of time. While European chips are more of the battered french fry style. Both processes of making chips can also be made in the oven.

Now if you are being racist. Then the term Cracker comes from the days of the slave drivers and where dubbed that because the sound that their whips made.

Not sure that a chip is an insult though so I will assume you are talking food here

Damn I am a geek.

"American chips are thinly slined potatos that have been fried at high temps for a shot period of time."

Don't the UK call them crisps? or are they made a different way?

[Meier Link]

They are made the same way, I was just giving an over view of the word chips. Guess I should of thrown that in there.

[seven_DeviL_Clever]

Well it was a simple answer thanks for clarifying you have no idea how bad that was bugging us. we were getting into some heated arguments about it lol^^

[Chez Daja]

It's even more confusing when you're in England.


CHIP: Is your version of fries.
CRISP: Is a chip in American terms.
CRACKER: A savoury biscuit.


What is the world coming to?

[RamesesII]

Crackers are baked, while chips are fried.

In addition, crackers are made from grain, while chips are made from potatoes.

But then, you have Sun Chips and Wheat Thins, which are kind of in the middle.

And, of course, Meier's excellent and thorough explanation of ingredients and processing methods.

I've always wondered why Animal Crackers aren't called Animal Cookies.

I disagree not all chips are fried now a lot are baked etc for the healthy people and the weight watchers but there is nothing better than cracking open a fresh packet of chips and smelling the greasiness lol
The difference between chips and crackers, well its simple chips if we're talking about normal chips like salt and vinegar don't usually get dipped int dip and stuff where as crackers can get dipped and topped with cheeses etc and crackers crunch and chips crinkle.