There are few meals that evoke quite as emotional a response as soup. It seems to warm us up from the inside-out, soothing our souls and resurfacing memories of being taken care of. Whether it’s Heinz cream of mushroom, oxtail or mulligatawny, soup is a shortcut to comfort on chilly autumn days. But why exactly has it become a kitchen staple to savour?
Of course, there’sa psychological pull. “Soup tends to have a strong association with being cared for,” notes Sophie Gastman, a registered nutritionist and author of the book Find Your Healthy, on why we find it such a soothing dish. “There’s also the sensory side – the warmth, smell and texture – and for lots of people, particular soups will be tied to memories of home or childhood, so soup can tap into that feeling of familiarity and comfort.”
