Crispy fries, squeaky cheese curds and hot, flavourful gravy. Those three ingredients combine to create one the greatest and classic food dishes that has its origins right here in Canada.

But Poutine has evolved tremendously from the original three ingredients that made it prominent to begin with. Today, dozens of poutine combinations are testing the boundaries of this dish and combining elements of other renown cuisines from all corners of the planet.

You probably already knew that Poutine originated in Québec, but there are a few other interesting facts about this plate of goodness. Poutine first appeared in the 1950s as a snack in bars, and eventually became popularized across Canada and other parts of North America by the 90s. The idea came to life when customers complained that fries were being served cold, so a quick solution to keep the fries warm was to pour hot gravy and add cheese curds to bring the fries back to life.

The diversity of poutine is possible because it can be found anywhere from fast-food chains to high-end fancy restaurants. The word poutine is believed to have been derived from the word pudding which describes a mixture or combination of various foods. You could see how variations of poutine could quickly be imagined and developed, and it could be as simple as adding one ingredient or reimagining the concept of poutine entirely in your own way.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CpDyzLYLJf8/

My personal favourite poutine variation has got to be either the short rib poutine that is served at BC Lions games or a Buffalo chicken poutine. You need to try these two variations of poutine, trust me, they are delicious. The taste of these poutine variations can only be described as “heavenly”. If you’re looking for a simple poutine variation to get your taste buds in the poutine sphere, try adding pulled pork to the three classic ingredients to add an extra punch of protein.

Where will this top-tier Canadian dish go next? The possibilities are endless. I have started to see sweet variations of poutine, rather than your tradition savory combinations. Gourmet poutines are also making their way into the food news, with expensive toppings such as caviar and truffles being used to turn poutine into an exquisite fine-dining experience.

Whatever way you like to enjoy your poutine, even if it is just the original, classic three ingredients, you can always be reminded that Canada is the country that created this delectable creation.

Try a new poutine variation the next time you crave poutine, your taste buds will thank you.