Potato chips (American English and Canadian English: chips, Irish English and British English: crisps) are thin slices of potato that are deep fried or baked until crispy. Potato chips serve as an appetizer, side dish, or snack. Commercial varieties are packaged for sale, usually in bags. The basic chips are cooked and salted, and additional varieties are manufactured using various flavorings and ingredients including seasonings, herbs, spices, cheeses, and artificial additives. Chips are a predominant part of the snack food market in English-speaking countries and numerous other Western nations.