Soup – A brief history of the oldest dish

Soup, this simple but also incredibly popular dish, has a long and fascinating history. Because not many of us know where the soup came from or why it is a staple food for everyone, we want to give a brief overview of its origin. The long history of soup has had a major impact on humanity and that is why we have so many different recipes that can be enjoyed today. Soup was a staple food for the rich and poor, crossing many cultures and was the basis of the creation of modern restaurants that we enjoy today.

Archaeologists believe that people have been making soup for at least 20,000 years with the advent of clay pots. Our ancestors would have used these clay pots to boil in water, on hot rocks, meat,

vegetables, nuts and seeds and herbs. It seems that the first soups were actually a mixture of boiled beans (something similar to oatmeal) in garlic water. The soups helped to extend the diet of our ancestors and allowed them to eat a wider variety of food.

If we are to ask where the soup name comes from, there are several theories regarding the origin of the name. The first theory is that it comes from ancient Rome, based on the Latin word “suppa”, which means bread in broth. The other theory is that it comes from the German word “sop”, which means the bread used to soften the stew. However, most historians believe that the modern name comes from the French word “soupe”, which means soup or broth.

At their origin, modern restaurants started with locations serving soup. In the 16th century in Paris, public restaurants began to open and served different varieties of soup, including broths and stews with bouillon.

In the 18th century, the soup went to another stage with the invention of “pocket soup”. It was perfect for people who traveled a lot, from explorers, to military soldiers, and contained small portable packages of dry ingredients that could be easily prepared on the go and provided the necessary nutrients, fast and simple. Then followed mixtures of dehydrated broths and canned broths.

In any cold or hot season we can enjoy a properly prepared nutritious soup. A well-made soup at home is nutritious and is also part of a balanced diet, because in addition to hydration, it comes with a lot of nutritional qualities. Moreover, it’s a well-known fact that, when consumed in moderation, soup helps us with losing weight.

In conclusion, soup keeps us full and prevents us from eating other dishes with many more calories.