The 'perfect chip' is 7cm long and straight-cut

Almost all of us have enjoyed a serving of hot, salty chips in our lives.

But not all chips are made equal – at least, according to research into the matter.

In a study conducted by the Food Advisory Board, 2,000 adult respondents were asked about their chip preferences.

The “perfect” chip should be exactly 7 centimetres (cm) long and 1.2cm wide, according to the feedback. The so-called Holy Grail of fries is made from Maris Piper potatoes; crispy on the outside but soft in the middle; and straight-cut.

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Other chip options include curly, crinkly, or American-style skinny fries, while some restaurants sell super-thin, crispy “shoe string” fries.

But Brits voted for the classic straight-cut variety for their favourites – served piping hot with a sprinkle of salt but no pepper.

Condiment wise, ketchup just about won out – with 49% of the vote – but vinegar ranked closely behind, with 47%, and Belgian style mayonnaise got 32%.

Then there was the toppings debate: gravy versus cheese or curry sauce.

Curry sauce came out on top overall, with one fifth of Brits saying their chips could not be “perfect” without the tangy flavour.

However, the results revealed a north south divide: northerners preferred gravy while curry sauce was the go-to option for southerners. Cheesy chips were a more niche favourite among respondents living in East Anglia and the South West.

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Food Advisory Board expert Professor Robert Pickard offered advice on the healthiest way to prepare chips.

He said: “When the skin is left on, and they are prepared and cooked the right way, for example in the oven with minimal added fat, chips can be included in a healthy, balanced diet.

"When cooking up chips, it’s best to opt for thick-cut potatoes as opposed to thinly cut chips, so that you avoid absorbing too much cooking fat."

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