Buzz
McDonald's Chicken McNuggets may not look like any actual part of a chicken, but this is no coincidence—the seemingly "random" shape of each nugget is actually one of four intentional designs, each having its own name.
As reported by Business Insider, Chicken McNuggets come in four shapes: the bell, the ball, the boot, and the bow tie (also known as the bone). The chicken meat used for these nuggets passes through a rolling cookie-cutter machine, which stamps out these shapes. While the first nugget may appear unique, with enough bites, you’ll quickly spot its perfect twin.
The reason for shaping all McNuggets into the same four designs is multi-faceted. By maintaining uniformity, the fast-food chain ensures each nugget cooks uniformly within the set time. Additionally, the variety of shapes makes them more appealing to children. Beyond looking more "natural" than a rigid square, the curvy, asymmetrical shapes are perfect for dipping.
The mystery of why McDonald's chose four shapes for its McNuggets still remains. On its website, the company explained that the decision was based on the ideal balance of being fun and easy to dip. They stated, 'Three would have been too few, and five would have been too quirky.'
Although the four distinct McNugget shapes have remained constant for years, the recipe inside them has evolved numerous times. In fact, McDonald's even experimented with vegan McNuggets in Norway last year.
