What indicates the pre-cooking state of french fries?

The pre-cooking state of french fries is indicated by a slight change in color. When potatoes are cut and prepared for frying, they typically start out as a raw white or cream color. As they undergo the cooking process, even before fully cooked, there may be a noticeable shift towards a golden or slightly yellow hue, which indicates that they have begun to break down and start cooking. This color change is an important visual cue that signals the fries are transitioning from their raw state to being ready for further cooking in oil.

While a soft texture can be present, it is not a definitive indicator of the pre-cooking state, as the fries may still feel firm until they are fully cooked. An even cooking surface might indicate uniform frying but does not directly signal the pre-cooking state. Similarly, the absence of bubbling oil typically suggests that the fries are not cooking efficiently or may indicate an issue with the frying process rather than their pre-cooking state.