A team of scientists have come up with the formula behind the perfect piece and chips.
Research conducted by Iceland found that a large number of people were not putting enough chips into their sandwiches, the Mirror reports.
The study found that the key to ultimate chip sandwich was 12 freshly cooked chunky, straight cut chips, in-between two medium slices of buttered white bread with a dollop of ketchup.
A number of people were said to be using just seven or eight chips, which is said to be too few for the amount of bread, while not being enough to melt the butter.
Dr James Hind, a statistician at Nottingham Trent University led the team that developed the formula.
A part of the research, they asked 2,000 people in the UK on how they created their own piece and chips.
The team found that 60g of chips to 40g of bread was the ultimate formula.
Dr Hind said: “What makes white bread preferable is that it is usually the softest. 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.”
According to the survey, most people already use medium, sliced white bread but a quarter prefer thick sliced bread and one in 10 favour a roll or brown bread.
And while half slather ketchup on their sandwich, almost one in five use mayonnaise or vinegar.
Scientists reckon the one in 10 using skinny chips and one in three putting standard oven chips instead of thick cut into their sandwiches are missing out on taste, texture and even the way the snack is held.
Dr Hind said: “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.”
Three quarters of people surveyed agree making the perfect piece and chips is an exact science.
Dr Hind said: “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.
“One thing my formula ignores is salt. That’s a matter of personal taste and personal health, so that’s a great place for people to start their own experiments.”
An Iceland spokesperson added: “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.”
